The stage is set for one of the most intriguing and exciting recent editions of the $5 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) without the internationals here to steal the show and below are our insider tips and exotic selections on the world’s richest mile and a half handicap.

Montefilila looks a definite danger at odds in the 2021 Caulfield Cup on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart.

Peter Moody’s dual Group 1 winner Incentivise is out to stamp himself as Australia’s best stayer, the spruik Queensland expat to start short-priced favourite currently paying Caulfield Cup odds of $2.50 at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Things have become trickier for him with the outside barrier and the wet track, a couple of unknowns he needs to tick, so will the favourite backers be rewarded or is there an upset Caulfield Cup result pending?

Last weekend’s Herbert Power Stakes winner Delphi from the second outside gate is out from $6.50 to $9 as the only other single-figure hopeful in Caulfield Cup betting at time of publish.

That means we’re in for another potential 12-length 2400m win by Incentivise or the bookies have seriously overlooked a danger.

Last year’s third placegetter The Chosen One ($14), triple Derby champion Explosive Jack ($14) and The Metropolitan winning mare out of Sydney Montefilia ($16) are all there to make their presence known.

Read on for our exclusive Caulfield Cup 2021 tips before heading to Ladbrokes.com.au for the top odds on all the weekend’s racing!

The Favourite: #2 Incentivise ($2.50 at time of publish) – BET NOW

This horse has been one of the most talked about in Australian racing over the past six months and put the writing on the wall for the Spring Cups winning Brisbane’s Group 3 Tatt’s Cup over the 2400m by 12 lengths. Two-from-two over shorter distances at Group 1 level in Melbourne this time in confirming his favouritism third-up and fit. The outside alley makes things interesting. There’s always a shuffle for positions in this race and in-form hoop Brett Prebble will need to be good to cross and settle the favourite inside the top four or five. The wet track? Also an unknown. If the horse handles the going and gets into the right spot, he’ll be winning.

The Danger: #4 The Chosen One ($14 at time of publish) – BET NOW

Could it be third time lucky for the Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman-trained Kiwi The Chosen One? Won the Herbert Power before a ninth from barrier 18 of 18 in 2019 behind the Japanese horse Mer De Glace. Seventh in the Herbert Power before a very brave third to Verry Elleegant in last year’s Caulfield Cup trifecta under a length beaten at 60/1 before a Melbourne Cup fourth. He hasn’t won in a long time, but is a genuine and very consistent stayer more than capable of a top three run after his good Herbert Power second this year.

The Value: #12 Montefilia ($16 at time of publish) – BET NOW

Triple Group 1 winning mare ticked the 2400m box winning The Metropolitan in Sydney last time out and presents rock hard fit fourth-up here. She gets less weight and is now proven at the distance. Maturing well and looks a class staying type now. She’s won on Heavy going before and looks a danger.

Click here for the latest Caulfield Cup 2021 odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au ahead of Caulfield Race 9 at 5:15pm (AEDT) on Saturday.