The Melbourne Racing Club sprang no surprises when it selected Alcopop and Herculian Prince to fill the last two places in the Caulfield Cup field ahead of Mourayan and Red Ruler.MRC chairman Mike Symons said his committee had a "robust discussion" before coming up with the final 18 on Tuesday afternoon."Herculian Prince being the last-start winner of the Metropolitan almost picked himself, and Alcopop after his stunning return to form last Saturday (when second to odds-on Cox Plate favourite So
The Melbourne Racing Club sprang no surprises when it selected Alcopop and Herculian Prince to fill the last two places in the Caulfield Cup field ahead of Mourayan and Red Ruler.
MRC chairman Mike Symons said his committee had a "robust discussion" before coming up with the final 18 on Tuesday afternoon.
"Herculian Prince being the last-start winner of the Metropolitan almost picked himself, and Alcopop after his stunning return to form last Saturday (when second to odds-on Cox Plate favourite So You Think in the Yalumba Stakes) wasn't far behind him," he said.
Symons said the committee took on board the recommendations of Racing Victoria handicapper Greg Carpenter whose report was based on the criteria of recent form, Group wins, ratings and prizemoney.
Mourayan, runner-up to Herculian Prince in the Metropolitan and third in last year's Irish Derby, was named first emergency with Group Two Wellington Cup winner Red Ruler second reserve.
International Drunken Sailor, prepared by Luca Cumani, and the Tony Vasil-trained mare Valdemoro are the third and fourth emergencies respectively.
If Drunken Sailor doesn't gain a start, he'll run in the Geelong Cup (2400m) next Wednesday.
Three internationals have already gained a start in the Cumani-trained Manighar, Japanese iron horse Tokai Trick and Hong Kong star Mr Medici.
One time favourite Moudre, Ginga Dude and Count Encosta were balloted out.
Carpenter said the cut-off mark for the final 18 of 53.5kg was the highest in his six years of handicapping the race.
"The quality and depth at the top end and through the middle is outstanding," he said.
He pointed out that Victoria Derby winner Monaco Consul, VRC Oaks winner Faint Perfume, Queensland Derby winner Dariana and the second, third and fourth placegetters from the AJC Australian Derby - Descarado, Monaco Consul and Zabrasive - were all in the field.
After the final field was announced on Tuesday afternoon, TAB Sportsbet reacted by making Alcopop, Herculian Prince and Metal Bender equal favourites at $6.50.
Reigning Melbourne Cup winner Shocking is next best at $7.50 and Carpenter said he wouldn't be surprised if he was able to emulate Viewed who won the 2008 Melbourne Cup and the following year landed the Caulfield Cup.
He said he was not about overburdening highly-weighted horses such as Shocking with a big Melbourne Cup penalty should he win the Caulfield Cup.
Viewed carried 57kg to win the Caulfield Cup and Carpenter gave him a 1kg penalty for the Melbourne Cup and the handicapper said Shocking, the topweight with 57kg, would be treated similarly should he win on Saturday.