Connections of last season’s Derby hero Explosive Jack are hoping the rain continues to fall in Melbourne ahead of the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday.

“If the heavens opened up that would greatly improve his chances,” Ciaron Maher, who trains in partnership with Daivd Eustace, told RSN927.

The son of Jakkalberry has had two lead-in races, finishing ninth first-up in the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and fifth in the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m), and Maher said he is looking for more ground.

“You would think Caulfield might be a little bit sharp for him but his two runs this prep have been fantastic, he has really got through the line very strongly with both being far from his best distances,” he said.

Explosive Jack has drawn gate two and will be ridden by John Allen.

“It is probably better than 20 for Jack. John Allen can give him a decent squeeze out and he can hopefully land midfield,” Maher said.

“Outside of Incentivise, it looks a fairly open race. It will be interesting to see what the weather does.

“I think he will run a solid race again tomorrow and he should be spot on for the Melbourne Cup (Gr.1, 3200m).”

Explosive Jack was purchased out of Novara Park’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $100,000 and the three-time Derby winner was part of a clean sweep of Derbys in Australia last season by New Zealand breds.