With a Caulfield Cup run on the cards the Herbert Power Stakes 2016 on Saturday is shaping up as a competitive affair despite the small field, betting tips on the mile and a half Guineas Day showdown found below.

Running as Caulfield Race 2 at 12:55pm (AEDT) as part of a huge 10 race program, this year’s $400,000 Group 2 Ladbrokes Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) features just the seven runners to do the form on.

Heading the latest Herbert Power Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au at $3 is Assign from the Macedon Lodge stables of four-time Melbourne Cup winning owner Lloyd Williams.

He ran third over the track / distance in the Listed Harry White Classic (2400m) two weeks ago and drops a kilo to the 53kg minimum looking to go two better this weekend.

Currently paying a firming $3.90 for the win is the Darren Weir-trained Howard Be Thy Name who is the biggest danger to favourite backers on Saturday.

The Redoute’s Choice stallion won the Group 1 SA Derby (2500m) over these sort of metres as a three-year-old in the autumn and is third-up on Saturday, out to improve on the seventh to stablemate Black Heart Bart in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) a fortnight ago.

So can Howard Be Thy Name return to winning form down in class and up in distance, or is the value in this year’s Herbert Power Stakes betting markets in a longer priced runner such as the reigning Melbourne Cup champ Prince Of Penzance ($11) or the in-form Pemberley ($7)?

1^st

#2 Howard Be Thy Name ($3.90)

The money trail leads to this year’s SA Derby winner making now the time to back Weir’s four-year-old before he firms further. He is well weighted on 53.5kg in a small field where anything can win. He is unplaced this time in but is only just now getting out over the metres that can have him back to his best. Ran in Group 1 company last time out at the track and will improve off that back in easier company having had a go at Caulfield.

2^nd

#6 Dandy Gent ($10)

Nice price offered for this Stawell-trained five-year-old who is on the quick back-up after the credible fifth at Flemington only last Sunday when under four lengths away fifth in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m). He’s had a few runs this time in so should be nearing his best, is proven at the distance and if he handles the quick back-up, a better-timed run here can see him up the front and holding for a place.

3^rd

#1 Prince Of Penance ($11)

Won the Melbourne Cup as a $101 roughie around this time last year and despite giving all the weight away with 60kg here, has to be considered. Was second last (9^th) in the Underwood, but will relish getting up to a mile and a half here seeing further than 1800m for the first time since the Melbourne Cup win.

The Herbert Power Stakes 2016 betting markets are wide open this spring so head to Ladbrokes.com.au to experience Odds Boost (T&Cs apply).