Bookies firm slashing stayers

Unheralded stayer Littorio and Pompeii Ruler are shaping as Weekend Hussler's two biggest dangers in the Caulfield Cup, according to bookmakers.

The pair, along with Zagreb, were the big movers in Caulfield Cup markets following Saturday's racing in Melbourne.

Littorio continued his build up to the big Cups with a slashing third in the weight-for-age Underwood Stakes.

Bookmakers reacted by firming Littorio, a dual Derby placegetter last season who has twice finished third behind Weekend Hussler this spring, from $15 to $7 for the Caulfield Cup.

A proven stayer, Littorio, who drops to 52.5kg in the Caulfield Cup, will meet Weekend Hussler three kilos better for his defeat in the Underwood.

The bagmen were also cautious with Pompeii Ruler, trimming his price in from $15 to $8 after he atoned for his Moonee Valley failure with a fighting second on Saturday.

Kiwi stayer Nom Du Jeu was another notable mover, wound in six points to $15 following his second to Princess Coup in a Group One WFA event over 1600m in New Zealand.

Zagreb, who gained an automatic start in the Cup after winning the Naturalism Stakes, was in from $34 to $26.

The big drifter was Maldivian, who was pushed from $6.50 to $11, after his fading fourth in the Underwood Stakes. The horse also weakened significantly in the closing stages of the Dato' Tan Chin Nam Stakes a week earlier.

But jockey Michael Rodd still had faith in Maldivian.

"The last 100 he started to get tired. I truly feel he just needed the run. It was the first time his coat has really come through."

"I wouldn't drop off him."

Pompeii Ruler, Kiwi mare Princess Coup and star Sydney filly Samantha Miss were the big movers in Cox Plate betting.

Pompeii Ruler was the new $8 second favourite for the WFA championship, replacing Maldivian, who was out to $11.

Princess Coup had her price slashed from $26 to $15, while Samantha Miss was tightened from $17 to $13 after posting a fourth straight win in the G2 Tea Rose Stakes (1500m) in Sydney.

Other movers were Nom Du Jeu, who firmed from $34 to $21, while Littorio had his price slashed from $67 to $26.