Half Yours, Pride Of Jenni head small field for Doomben Cup

Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours has opened as the favourite for the $1 million Group 1 Doomben Cup in a compact field of seven runners for the 2000m weight-for-age feature.

The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained stayer was installed as the $3 elect following acceptance time, with Jamie Melham to continue her association with the gelding after his fourth placing behind Pride Of Jenni in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes.

Evergreen mare Pride Of Jenni, who finished down the course in last year’s race, is rated a $3.60 second favourite, with fellow interstate mare She’s A Hustler at $6.

Champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller will saddle three runners as he chases a milestone 200th Group 1 victory, headed by Birdman at $4.40.

Waller’s Doomben Cup team is rounded out by the in-form Asterix at $15 and Queensland Derby winner Kovalica, who is rated a $26 outsider despite his strong Doomben record.

Last-start Tancred Stakes placegetter Vauban has also accepted for the feature for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and is on the fourth line of betting at $8.