Caulfield Cup favourite Hawkspur is set to lose his position at the head of the market for Saturday's $2.5 million race following a horror barrier draw.

Hawkspur drew 16, prompting bookies to declare they would take on one of the best horses from the country's most successful stable.

They reacted immediately by turning the star galloper out from $4.20 to $4.80.

The Chris Waller-trained Hawkspur will come in at least one gate following the scratching of third emergency Ibicenco and could move in one more if first reserve Forgotten Voice doesn't run.

But it isn't going to make enough difference.

"We've taken the view that the wide barrier for a horse having its first run at Caulfield makes him a good risk," said Sportingbet's Michael Felgate.

Jockey Jim Cassidy took a philosophical view of the draw in a race which he hopes will give him his 100th Group One winner.

"I don't worry about barrier draws because there's nothing I can do about them," Cassidy said.

"But obviously how he is drawn is going to have some bearing on how I ride him, but I'll have to talk to Chris about that first."

While Waller's No.1 runner fared poorly at the draw the second pick of his four Cup acceptors, Royal Descent, drew perfectly in barrier three with Kelinni in one and Moriarty in 18.

The Australian Oaks winner was as short as $6.50 immediately after the draw as punters deserted Hawkspur for his stablemate.

Along with the New Zealand mare Silent Achiever, Royal Descent was one of the biggest firmers in post-draw betting.

Silent Achiever's rider Glen Boss described his draw in five as ideal.

"If I could have chosen a gate, that would have been the one," Boss said.

"I have another good horse (Royal Descent) drawn almost alongside me. It's perfect."

Boss said Silent Achiever's lead up form had been solid in less-than-ideal circumstances.

Bad draws and races short of her ideal distance have kept Silent Achiever from reproducing the form that won her last year's New Zealand Derby and got her into second place in the BMW in Sydney last autumn.

But trainer Roger James, who is saddling his first Caulfield Cup runner, believes the mare gets the chance she deserves on Saturday.

"The draw could have been make or break for her entire preparation," James said.

"She hasn't had one bad day this time in."

The barrier draw also put a severe dent in the prospects of English stayer Dandino who had been third favourite before coming up with barrier 19.

He is now an $8 chance with Royal Descent and Silent Achiever at $7.