Gold Mount has Caulfield Cup claims boosted with nice draw and forecast rain

The combination of stall four and forecast rain in the lead up to Saturday’s Stella Artois Caulfield Cup has boosted the confidence of Ian Williams for the chances of his Listed winner Gold Mount.

The mount of Mark du Plessis was allocated the most successful stall in the race’s 140-year history at the draw after racing at Caulfield on Wednesday and is a 20-1 chance with Sky Bet and Betway to land the A$5m (£2.64m/€3.05m) event.

Christophe Lemaire is set to take over in the saddle for the Lexus Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 5.

Williams said: "We’re very happy with the draw and conditions are a little on the damp side at Caulfield as well which suits him. He's settled in well and had a straightforward preparation. We couldn’t be happier with how things have gone."

Red Verdon: form ties in with Gold MountCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The Ed Dunlop-trained Red Verdon is the other British contender currently in the race and was drawn in stall 15, although with the four reserves – including Prince Of Arran and True Self – drawn on his inside the six-year-old is likely to start from stall 11.

Red Verdon defeated Gold Mount by a head in the Group 3 John Smith’s Silver Cup at York in July and is a standout 40-1 with Sky Bet for Saturday's showpiece. He will be ridden by Pat Cosgrave, who won the race on Best Solution last year.

Robin Trevor-Jones, travelling head groom for Dunlop, said: "Pat is not going to be stuck on the inside from the draw – he can go forward and it gives him a few options, although a bit of a lower number would have been easier. If he brings his A-game he’s definitely got a chance."

Last five Caulfield Cup winners

2014 Admire Rakti (stall 7)
2015 Mongolian Khan (6)
2016 Jameka (11)
2017 Boom Time (3)
2018 Best Solution (15)

There was a blow to Chris Waller’s chances at the draw with 5-1 favourite Finche allocated stall 19 – likely to be stall 15 after taking out the reserves – and stablemate Brimham Rocks alongside him in stall 20.

Ebor winner Mustajeer makes his debut for Kris Lees and is berthed in stall 16, while Japan’s hope Mer De Glace is drawn in stall 21.

Wolfe, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, was successful in the Coongy Cup in the afternoon to earn a place in the Caulfield Cup and was drawn in stall five.

Also on the card, the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Anaheed landed the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes, while James Cummings trained his 100th stakes winner for Godolphin in the Ladbrokes Village Stakes.

Caulfield Cup confirmed field

1. Hartnell (17)
2. Mirage Dancer (13)
3. Mer De Glace (21)
4. Mustajeer (16)
5. Rostropovich (18)
6. Finche (19)
7. Gold Mount (4)
8. Red Verdon (15)
9. Angel Of Truth (14)
10. Big Duke (1)
11. Constantinople (7)
12. Mr Quickie (10)
13. Crown Prosecutor (2)
14. Vow And Declare (9)
15. Brimham Rocks (20)
16. The Chosen One (22)
17. Qafila (6)
18. Wolfe (5)

RESERVES
19. Sound (8)
20. Neufbosc (3)
21. True Self (12)
22. Prince Of Arran (11)

For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app