Gai says big wet made to Order for Caulfield Cup firmer

Knights Order will "take a stack of beating" in Saturday's $5m Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), Hall of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse says.

Not unlike her first and only Caulfield Cup triumph, in 2010 with Descarado, heavy rain lashed Melbourne in the lead-up to the spring major.

Descarado ploughed through the ground to beat Harris Tweed and Monaco Consul after crossing from a wide draw to stalk the speed.

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A carbon copy Saturday, with likely leader Knights Order, would put the Group 1 Sydney Cup winner in contention.

Caulfield copped 55mm of rain in the 48 hours to Friday morning to ensure a Heavy 10 track rating.

Knights Order has five starts on heavy for two wins, a second and third.

The on-pacer has shortened from $16 with TAB after the barrier draw to $12 equal fourth favourite following the Melbourne downpour.

The perfect conditions and Knights Order's tough racing style has buoyed Waterhouse's bid to win a second Caulfield Cup.

"There won't be any puffing after the post with Knights Order, there might be by the owners," Waterhouse said.

"He's big and strong, his racing weight is spot on, he loves the wet and the barrier is in his favour.

"He's got a fabulous chance in the Caulfield Cup, all Adrian and I can say is bring on the Caulfield Cup."

Gai Waterhouse celebrates with jockey Chris Munce after Descarado won the 2010 Caulfield Cup. Picture: AAP

Knights Order, winner of the 3200m Brisbane and Sydney cups the past two years, is Melbourne Cup-bound after Saturday.

The seven-year-old will come in at least two spots, to barrier 16, after scratchings.

A wide Caulfield Cup draw can help as the field jostles for positions in the short run from the barriers to the first turn out of the straight.

"I think he's got a lot of things going his way going into the cup," Waterhouse said.

"He's proven on a wet track and he's a Group 1 winner on a wet track … when it comes to race day he rolls up his sleeves and gets on with the job."

Caulfield Cup favourite Smokin' Romans remains firm at $4.40 from Benaud ($9).

Last year's Caulfield Cup runner-up Nonconformist and Godolphin stayer Alegron share the third line of betting at $11.

Knights Order finished fourth last start in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes behind Smokin' Romans.

Waterhouse, who trains in partnership with Adrian Bott, has saddled up 27 Caulfield Cup runners since 1992.

The legend fielded 19 starters over 18 years before the Caulfield hoodoo broke with Descarado on a Heavy 9 track.

The synergy between the wet and wild build-up then and now is not lost on Waterhouse.

"He's a different type of horse than Descarado but gosh, it did rain that day, didn't it," Waterhouse said.

"It certainly has come at the perfect time (midweek rain) … Knights Order is a tough bugger, he'll take a stack of beating."

Waterhouse has had only seven Caulfield Cup starters since Descarado, with Tullamore (3rd, 2011) her best result.