A key lead-up to the Group 1 autumn sprint races takes place on Saturday at Caulfield, our insider 2018 Rubiton Stakes tips and updated odds on the short-distance clash detailed below.

Held as Race 6 on CF Orr Stakes Day at 3:25pm (AEDT), this autumn’s Group 2 $200,000 Schweppes Rubiton Stakes (1100m) features a small field of only eight hopefuls.

Heading the latest Rubiton Stakes betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au at $3.80 to return with a first-up win against the older horses is Aaron Purcell’s Fastnet Rock colt Merchant Navy.

The smart three-year-old has suffered only one loss to date and is five-from-five in Melbourne.

His last start on Derby Day at Flemington produced a very good win down the famous ‘Straight Six’ in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).

No denying his ability, but he has won up to 1400m and targets the Newmarket Handicap so could find Saturday’s 1100m distance slick.

That opens up the winning markets and it is an open affair with all but one of the Rubiton Stakes horses under $10 to salute.

The dangers according to the bookies include the undefeated Kiwi expat Ardrossan ($4.60) debuting down under with just his third career start and market mover Super Cash ($5) defending her Rubiton Stakes title.

So will the best in betting salute or is there an upset Rubiton Stakes result pending from the likes of the rails-drawn Rich Charm ($8.50) or even three-time Group 1 winning eight-year-old Flamberge ($9)?

1^st

#2 Super Cash ($5)

Money is coming for Andrew Noblet’s Written Tycoon mare who won this race fresh in excellent fashion at double the price last year. She hasn’t won since another top first-up effort in the spring’s Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) and has her first start since running eighth to The Everest winner Redzel, beaten only four lengths as a $51 roughie in the Group 1 Darley Classic. This is obviously much easier and her price reflects that. Flies when resuming (5:4-0-1), loves Caulfield (5:3-0-0) and distance suits (7:4-1-1). In fact, she’s unbeaten at the track / distance and expect that to remain true come Saturday.

2^nd

#1 Rich Charm ($8.50)

Nice price offered for Udyta Clarke’s Danerich five-year-old who has gathered a bit of a cult following. He is three-from-four at Caulfield and won his last two on the trot in good company during the spring. Latest was a Flemington Group 2 on Derby Day and he can turn up fresh and really put on a good show at his pet track from the inside alley with regular rider Patrick Moloney continuing his association.

3^rd

#3 Flamberge ($9)

Veteran eight-year-old having his 43^rd start, second-up after a nice fourth only a half-length off the winner at Flemington on January 20 in the Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m). Gave all the weight away that day carrying 61.5kg and is far better positioned here with 56kg at set weights plus penalties. Triple Group 1 sprint winner at his best, but hasn’t won since the 2016 William Reid Stakes. Top place chance fitter second-up.

Lock in our exclusive Rubiton Stakes 2018 Caulfield tips at the best prices this weekend through Ladbrokes.com.au.