Half Yours should give a very strong account of himself in Saturday’s $6 million Caulfield Cup.

Last year’s winner is back to defend his title in the 2400m handicap where he’ll carry 57.5kg and jump from barrier 7 for Mark Zahra.

Trainer Calvin McEvoy is confident that the St Jean gelding can enjoy a nice run in transit from the gate and is now well-conditioned to run a strong mile and a half.

“We were really happy to get that draw,” McEvoy said on SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up.

“In a high pressure, mile and a half contest, the barriers are important and we've been dictated to a little bit in his last couple of runs with drawing outside and just having to go back.

“He drew beautifully last year in the Caulfield Cup, he drew 2.

“He’ll jump from probably 6 at this stage (if third emergency Mr Monaco, drawn in 3, comes out). I think Mark will just be able to give him a restful run, which is what he's going to need.

“Third-up 2400 at the Caulfield Cup, his preparation was sort of geared towards a Cox Plate. We were going to be third-up at the 2000, we're now going to be third-up at the 2400. We feel he's done enough work, there's no doubt about that.

“If he'd drawn barrier 18 it makes the the task much harder. We're very happy with the barrier.”

Jamie Melham partnered with Half Yours to win both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups in 2026, but she has opted to ride Blue Door in the Everest on Saturday.

So star jockey Zahra hopped on Half Yours for the first time at Flemington on Tuesday morning and was fairly impressed, said McEvoy.

“Zahra galloped him Tuesday morning. He was coming out of the tunnel at Flemington and I just saw him give him a little pat down the neck, and I think that was enough (to know),” he added.

“He loved him, he gave him a good feel. He had a nice, solid gallop on the course proper at Flemington, it was proper staying work, and he handled it beautifully.

“He had a healthy blow that'll clean him up and Mark was really happy.”

Zahra is chasing his third Caulfield Cup after winning on Without A Fight in 2023 and Verry Elleegant in 2020.

Having entered last year’s Caulfield Cup as one of the hottest favourites in recent history, the pressure heaped on Calvin and his father Tony.

But this time around there is a more relaxed feel in the McEvoy camp, especially given the gelding ticked off Group 1 wins over 2400m and 3200m (Melbourne Cup) last prep.

“I feel less pressure this year,” McEvoy admitted.

“Last year he was the horse everyone was talking about. He was one of the shortest priced favourites at the Caulfield Cup for 100 years or something.

“This year I feel like we’re not getting spoken about as much, which I don’t mind.

“I prefer it this way. Last year I was a mess going into this week. I handled myself terribly and I just felt the pressure, personally.

“He’s done it now, he’s been to that level, and he’s unbeaten at a mile and a half and beyond. We know he’s an elite stayer. 

“He’s going to get a lovely run and he’ll just need luck at the right time. If he can carry that big weight he’ll give a great account of himself.”

The last Caulfield Cup winner who attempted to defend their title was Master O’Reilly in 2008. He ran seventh with 56.5kg after winning the 2007 edition with 50.5kg.

Tawqeet won in 2006 with 53.5kg before running with with 57kg the following year.

Half Yours is attempting to become the first back-to-back Caulfield Cup winner since Rising Fast in 1954 and 1955, and only the third horse ever to win two on the trot (following Poseidon in 1906/07).

He is currently priced at $11 with Sportsbet.

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