The race every punter is after the tips on for this weekend is the Caulfield Cup 2013, the Races.com.au team’s insider selections and exotic picks for which can be found right here.

Silent Achiever (yellow silks, blue cap) is the Races.com.au tip to win the 2013 Caulfield Cup. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.

Keeping interest peaked until the very end, this year’s $2.5 million Group 1 BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) runs as Caulfield Race 10 at 5:45pm (AEST).

There’s a full field engaged for Saturday’s classic, and while there’s been some chat about there not being as much hype on the race from 12 months ago, there’s still plenty of talent in this bunch.

Topping the current Caulfield Cup betting markets at $4.80, or $9.60 in Ladbrokes.com.au’s Double the Caulfield Cup odds promo, is the Chris Waller-trained four-year-old Hawkspur.

While this gun galloper is the right age and had comes off a killer run in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington a fortnight ago, there are sure to be a few taking them on in betting.

Waller also trains the second fancy in the Caulfield Cup odds with is smart mare Royal Descent ($6.50) who may have been well beaten in the Turnbull, but who is gaining popularity after her gun barrier three draw.

The other single-figure chances (before taking them at their juicy double the odds prices at Ladbrokes.com.au) are then the Roger James-trained Silent Achiever ($8) and the imported Jet Away ($9.50) who will have jockey Damien Oliver aboard vying for his fifth Caulfield Cup victory.

With four of the past five Caulfield Cup winners saluting at double figures however, there’s a huge chance of an upset Caulfield Cup result this year.

But if an upset is on the cards where will it come from? There’ll be plenty out there trying that’s for sure including Marco Botti’s British raider Dandino ($10), the Lloyd Williams-owned Fawkner ($12) and Gai Waterhouse’s The Metropolitan runner-up Julienas ($26) just to name a few.

So where will the Races.com.au crew’s Caulfield Cup money be in 2013?

1^st

#15 Silent Achiever ($8.50)

Lot’s to like about this visiting Kiwi mare who is set to peak after her close sixth in the Turnbull two weeks ago, just one further back than the favourite here Hawkspur. Three Caulfield Cup winners since 2009 came off unplaced Turnbull runs so the form is right. She gets a great gate (barrier five), gun ‘big race’ jockey (Glen Boss) and a lovely light weight (54.5kg). Only four Caulfield Cup winners have carried more than 54.5kg to victory in the past 20 years so it’s a good sign for the mare. Looking to be the second mare in three years to win following the success of Southern Speed (2011). Racing at career best and ready for career highlight here.

2^nd

#2 Dandino ($10)

The international form in this race has built up over the years to be very strong, as evidenced by Dunaden’s win 12 months ago. This is the only European-trained runner assured of a start (other international Forgotten Voice is the first emergency), and their form before arriving down under was very, very good. American St Leger winner over 2714m last time out in August, really gutsy win there too with little going their way. Race well fresh, distance is ideal, Caulfield is tricky for first timers but should suit. Trainer has form in the big one’s here too having prepared last year’s Melbourne Cup third placegetter Jakkalberry. Lightly-raced for their age, genuine shot.

3^rd

#10 Moriarty ($26)

Think the punters have overlooked this third Chris Waller-trained hope. All the money has been on their stablemates Hawkspur and Royal Descent, but this five-year-old has more experience, is peaking at the right time and comes via some very nice runs. They were beaten by Hawkspur when fourth in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes second-up over the mile, but was a good run and they won next-up beating Glencadam Gold in the Group 2 Hill Stakes when stepped up to the 2000m. Went to a mile and half in The Metropolitan last time out and was defeated under one and a half lengths. Similar lead-up to the 2012 Caulfield Cup third placegetter Lights Of Heaven, so it’s doable especially with their nice 55kg weight.

For Exotics

#12 Hawkspur ($4.80) – The favourite Hawkspur is probably deserving of his spot at the top of the odds based on what he’s done of late and shouldn’t be left out of First Four betting.
#8 Jet Away ($9.50) – Jet Away’s first-up seventh in the Turnbull was a stellar effort and they’ll take improvement off that, jockey Damien Oliver vying for a record-equaling fifth Caulfield Cup trophy.
#16 Royal Descent ($6.50) – Has money coming for her, better than what she did in the Turnbull, Group 1 winner over the distance and will relish getting back up to it especially from a gun barrier three draw.

Whether you’re backing or sacking our Caulfield Cup betting tips for the weekend, you can bet with confidence online at Ladbrokes.com.au knowing you won’t find a better price on your selections thanks to their exclusive double the odds offer on the weekend’s major!

*All odds quoted are Fixed Win, available at DTO and subject to change @ Ladbrokes.com.au