THE Andreas Wohler-trained Protectionist caught the eye of many last Saturday with a fast finishing fourth in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield over 2,400 metres.

Allocated top-weight and giving away 6kgs to the three ahead of him on the line, the run caused a reshuffle of Melbourne Cup markets which now have Protectionist an $8 favourite ahead of the Japanese-trained Bande.

(Lord) Van Percy also ran a bold race with the Andrew Balding-trained gelding fifth. The winner of the Herbert Power was the French-bred Big Memory who earned a spot in today’s Caulfield Cup for trainer Tony McEvoy. The Duke Of Marmalade gelding will carry the postage stamp of 50kgs in today’s race.