As expected, trainer John O’Shea has scratched Maximal from today’s Group 1 $5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) field in Melbourne paving the way for the Chris Waller-trained first emergency Durston to gain a start.

First emergency Durston has gained a start in the Caulfield Cup 2022 final field. Photo: Steve Hart.

With a Heavy (8) Caulfield track and an outside alley, conditions were not in favour of O’Shea’s Galileo five-year-old Maximal forcing the horse’s scratching from today’s Melbourne feature race.

Maximal’s withdrawal has left jockey Ben Melham without a mount in the Caulfield Cup 2022.

The galloper caught the eye with his slashing second behind Caulfield Cup favourite Smokin’ Romans in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) last start.

O’Shea is hopeful Maximal can continue his spring next weekend in the Group 1 $5 million Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley.

All-in 2022 Cox Plate odds at race sponsor Ladbrokes.com.au have the Caulfield Cup scratching as a $61 outsider in markets dominated by Godolphin flyer Anamoe ($2).

O’Shea is still in with a chance at Caulfield Cup glory today saddling-up his classy grey Benaud from the outside alley (18 of 18) that Incentivise won from last Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

Benaud, scratched from Sydney’s Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) a fortnight ago, pays $10 in Caulfield Cup betting with Regan Bayliss aboard the Reliable Man four-year-old.

Runner-up in the autumn’s Group 1 ATC Derby (2400m) over the mile and a half, Benaud is fit fifth-up today and is on the quick back-up after running 2.45 lengths off Anamoe in the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m) last Saturday.

The addition of Durston in the Caulfield Cup field meanwhile gives Waller four chances to win the event for the second time following his 2020 success with Verry Elleegant.

Waller will saddle-up The Metropolitan winner No Compromise ($20), Great House ($26), Crystal Pegasus ($126) and now first emergency Durston ($20) who jumps from a gun barrier six draw on just 51.5kg with Michael Dee to ride.

Sea The Stars seven-year-old Durston won the Listed Wyong Cup (2100m) and the Group 3 Newcastle Cup (2300m) in September, the latter by over three lengths, and comes off a sixth when only 1.25 lengths off his stablemate in The Metropolitan at Randwick on Epsom Day.

Smokin’ Romans from the Maher/Eustace stable in barrier five continues to dominate the Caulfield Cup odds at $3.60 and firming to become the third horse in as many years to do the Turnbull Stakes – Caulfield Cup double.

The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Sydney Cup winner Knights Order is the market mover backed in from $14 to $9, while money is now coming for David Payne’s multiple Group 1 winning mare Montefilia ($18 into $12) who comes off a third in the Group 2 Hill Stakes behind Cascadian.

The Caulfield Cup start time is set for 5:15pm (AEDT) with latest markets available here.

Updated 2022 Caulfield Cup Field & Jockeys

Table Credit: Racing Australia.