The Caulfield Cup 2020 final field of spring stayers set to contest the $5 million classic this Saturday is locked in with Kiwi galloper The Chosen One securing the final position in the 18-starter line-up.

The Chosen One has narrowly made the 2020 Caulfield Cup field this weekend. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

It was a close call for the Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman-trained Savabeel entire The Chosen One who was right on the cusp of a start, but the autumn’s Sydney Cup runner-up has narrowly made it into the Group 1 Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (2400m) on the weekend.

Well-weighted with just 53.5kg, the proven long-distance performer is out to atone for his last start seventh in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) when carrying more weight (58kg) at the same track and distance last Saturday.

He was elevated from his predicted first emergency position into the starting contenders after connections of Wednesday’s gutsy Group 3 Coongy Cup winner Nonconformist chose not to nominate for the race.

The Herbert Power Stakes winner Chapada is also on the quick seven-day back-up in the Caulfield Cup field with Jye McNeil to ride the Michael Moroney-trained lightweight on just 50.5kg.

The last horse to complete the Herbert Power Stakes – Caulfield Cup double in the same season was Master O’Reilly (2007), Chapada out to be the next 13 years later.

The past two editions of the Caulfield Cup have been claimed by internationals with the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained Best Solution (2018) and Japan’s Mer De Glace (2019).

In 2020 the opening leg of the Spring Cups double down under features five overseas visitors.

The raiders in the Caulfield Cup 2020 field are the Aidan O’Brien-trained top weight Anthony Van Dyck carrying 58.5kg; the Joseph O’Brien-trained Buckhurst; Prince Of Arran for Charlie Fellowes; the Andrew Balding-trained Dashing Willoughby; and True Self for Willie Mullins.

Anthony Van Dyck makes his Australian debut in the event and is one of the best in the latest Caulfield Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au to salute.

Former Melbourne Cup winning trainer Joseph O’Brien’s sole Caulfield Cup contender is Australia entire Buckhurst, who comes off a last start third behind all-in Melbourne Cup favourite Tiger Moth, after connections chose not to acceptor for stablemates Master Of Reality and Twilight Payment.

English raider Prince Of Arran is a familiar name during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, the dual Melbourne Cup placegetter having run third and second respectively in the latest two editions of the ‘race that stops a nation’.

Dashing Willoughby is a dour two-miler last seen saluting in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup (3270m) at York in August, while Irish-trained mare True Self rounds international contingent returning to the location of her Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes success last Cup Carnival.

One of the other early Caulfield Cup favourites is the Chris Waller-trained Zed mare Verry Elleegant last seen saluting in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.

Sydney’s leading horseman over the past decade, Waller saddles-up a three-pronged attack on the Caulfield Cup this year with Verry Elleegant joined by Toffee Tongue and Finche who ran second and third respectively in the Turnbull Stakes trifecta for the stable.

Perth’s premiere hoop William Pike enjoyed a stellar Caulfield Guineas Day winning four events including two Group 1s last weekend at the track and is back looking for the major victory on Saturday aboard Adelaide galloper Dalasan who ran fourth in the Turnbull.

Last year’s Melbourne Cup champion Vow And Declare, second in the 2019 edition, and Godolphin’s multiple Group 1 champ Avilius are among the other standout Caulfield Cup horses in 2020.

The 2020 Caulfield Cup barrier draw is set to take place late this afternoon after the last on Blue Sapphire Stakes Day.

Click here for the latest Caulfield Cup 2020 odds on the final field courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

2020 Caulfield Cup Field

Table Credit: Racing Australia.