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Caulfield Cup 2026 Second Acceptances Released As Defending Champion Half Yours Remains On Track
The road to the 2026 Caulfield Cup has taken another significant turn with Racing Victoria releasing the second acceptances for this year’s $6.5 million handicap, revealing a trimmed-down list of 34 hopefuls still in contention for the coveted Group 1 staying feature at Caulfield on October 17.
After 57 horses remained following first acceptances, connections of 24 runners have elected not to proceed, leaving a fascinating mix of local stars, international raiders, proven stayers, and emerging spring contenders fighting for a place in the final field.
Chris Waller’s one-time favourite, class mare Aeliana, was the most notable omission.
2026 Caulfield Cup Second Acceptances at a Glance:
- 34 remaining entries (down from 57 at first acceptance stage)
- Aeliana the most notable non-acceptor
- 5 internationals including three for Joseph O’Brien
- Original topweight Sir Delius (59kg) a notable omission
- Reigning Caulfield Cup / Melbourne Cup double champion Half Yours still in the mix as the new 57.5kg topweight
- Ciaron Maher’s Naturalism Stakes winner Zahrann and Turnbull Stakes champion Cosmic Crusader the early favourites at Ladbrokes
- 5 ballot exemption holders
- 5 mares remain out to be the first since Verry Elleegant (2020) to win
- Onesmoothoperator (9 years old) the oldest remaining runner
- Last year’s third placed Valiant King paid up for again
- 9 Ciaron Maher trained second acceptors
- 6 Chris Waller trained second acceptors
Leading the conversation is last year’s history-making winner Half Yours, who remains firmly on track to defend his title after becoming the race’s newest topweight following the withdrawal of original headline weight Sir Delius.
Sir Delius Out, Half Yours Takes Topweight Status
One of the biggest developments from second acceptances was the departure of Sir Delius, the original 59kg topweight who has been taken out of Caulfield Cup contention and instead focused solely on the Group 1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) on October 24.
His omission sees reigning Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double winner Half Yours elevate to the head of the weights with 57.5kg as connections of the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained champ attempt to achieve a feat rarely seen in modern Australian racing.
The now six-year-old stayer was outstanding during the spring of 2025, winning both of Australia’s premier staying tests, and bookmakers are taking no chances despite the hefty weight allocation.
Half Yours currently occupies the third line of all-in Caulfield Cup betting at $9 through Ladbrokes and remains one of the genuine stayers set to relish the 2400m.
Jamie Melham made history aboard Half Yours last spring but has jumped off the defending champ in favour of a ride on gun filly Blue Door in Sydney’s Group 1 $20 million The Everest (1200m) on the same day.
Mark Zahra will instead partner Half Yours for his Caulfield Cup title defence.
Equal Favourites Head Competitive Market
The latest Caulfield Cup market has installed Cosmic Crusader and Zahrann as equal $7 favourites following their respective spring feature victories.
WA expat, the Andrea Leek-trained Cosmic Crusader, surged to the top of calculations after an emphatic victory in Saturday’s Turnbull Stakes, a traditional key lead-up that has produced numerous Caulfield Cup winners over the years.
Although he too could divert to the Cox Plate, there’s the chance Leek and the owners will race Cosmic Crusader on back-to-back Saturdays attempting the rare feat of winning both the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate in the same year.
Meanwhile, the Ciaron Maher-trained Night Of Thunder entire Zahrann strengthened his claims with victory in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes on September 19, a race that carries a prized ballot exemption into the Caulfield Cup.
Half Yours (2025) completed the Naturalism Stakes – Caulfield Cup double last season.
The Maher stable, which has become one of Australia’s dominant forces in major staying races, appears to hold a particularly strong hand heading deeper into the spring carnival with nine Caulfield Cup second acceptors.
Zahrann is one of five Caulfield Cup second acceptors holding ballot exemption for the event.
International Challenge Still Strong
Five international horses remain among the 2026 Caulfield Cup second acceptors, ensuring the overseas contingent will again have a meaningful influence on the race.
Of particular interest are the three entries prepared by leading Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien, whose proven ability to target Australia’s major staying races has made his team impossible to overlook.
The Roger Varian-trained Enfjaar is the best fancied of the international Caulfield Cup contingent paying $10 to win through Ladbrokes.
The UK visitor Enfjaar is set to have regular rider Ray Dawson aboard for his Australian debut, with the English-based jockey booked for his first ride in the Caulfield Cup after partnering the talented stayer at his past three starts, including a dominant Group 3 Glorious Stakes (2400m) victory at Goodwood on August 1.
With strong European staying form traditionally proving effective under Australian handicap conditions, the overseas runners remain a major factor despite their reduced numbers.
Waller With Strong Hand Still
Champion trainer Chris Waller once again shapes as a major force in the race with six horses still among the remaining entries even with the withdrawal of Aeliana.
Waller’s large representation, which includes ATC Oaks winner Ohope Wins and last year’s third placed import Valiant King, provides the nation’s premier horseman with enormous flexibility heading towards final acceptances and could see his stable play a significant role in shaping both the market and eventual field composition.
The stable has enjoyed considerable success in Australia’s biggest races and will be hoping one or more of its six hopes can emerge as a genuine Caulfield Cup contender over the coming weeks.
Mares Chasing Historic Success
Five mares remain in contention as they seek to become the first female winner of the race since Verry Elleegant’s memorable triumph in 2020.
The mares still in the mix are:
- Treasurethe Moment (Matt Laurie)
- Ohope Wins (Chris Waller)
- She’s A Hustler (Grahame Begg)
- Machine Gun Gracie (Ben, Will & JD Hayes)
- Suntora (Nick Ryan)
While mares often face a difficult task in Australia’s elite staying handicaps, recent years have shown quality female stayers can more than match their male counterparts when conditions suit.
The presence of five mares at this stage highlights the depth of this year’s staying division and adds another intriguing storyline to the race.
Veteran Onesmoothoperator Flies The Flag For Experience
At the opposite end of the age spectrum sits Onesmoothoperator, who at nine years old is the oldest remaining horse among the second acceptors.
The veteran galloper continues to display admirable durability and remains in contention for what would be a remarkable victory against a field featuring younger and less exposed rivals.
Experience has often proven valuable in the Caulfield Cup, particularly around the unique challenges presented by the Caulfield circuit and big-field handicap conditions.
With just 34 horses remaining, the shape of the 2026 Caulfield Cup field is beginning to emerge.
The withdrawal of Sir Delius has reshuffled the weights, defending champion Half Yours remains firmly in the hunt for back-to-back victories, and the market has gravitated towards spring stars Cosmic Crusader and Zahrann after their recent feature-race heroics.
Add in a strong international contingent, a powerful Chris Waller team, and several mares chasing history, and the race is already shaping as one of the most compelling editions of the Caulfield Cup in recent years as the countdown to October 17 continues.
The official 2026 Caulfield Cup final field of acceptances will be released at 9:00am (AEST) on Tuesday October 13.
Click here to view the full list of official Caulfield Cup 2026 second acceptances.
Caulfield Cup 2026 Odds
| 1. Cosmic Crusader | ||
| 2. Zahrann | ||
| 3. Half Yours | ||
| 4. Enfjaar | ||
| 5. Wine Dark Sea | ||
| 6. Saint George | ||
| 7. Ohope Wins | ||
| 8. Royal Supremacy | ||
| 9. The Euphrates | ||
| 10. Shes A Hustler | ||
| 11. Green Spaces | ||
| 12. Juja Kibo | ||
| 13. Kings Valley | ||
| 14. Kingswood | ||
| 15. Mr Monaco | ||
| 16. Point Of Law | ||
| 17. Soul Of Spain | ||
| 18. Starford | ||
| 19. Treasurethe Moment | ||
| 20. Asterix |
