Admire Rakti is into 2014 Melbourne Cup odds of $4.60 after his outstanding victory in the 2014 Caulfield Cup this afternoon.
Admire Rakti is the new favourite in 2014 Melbourne Cup betting markets. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
The Melbourne Cup was always considered a more suitable race for Admire Rakti than the Caulfield Cup and bookmakers have been quick to slash the price of the Japanese stayer after he was available at double figure odds before the running of the Group 1 event this weekend.
Japan have not had a runner in the Melbourne Cup since Tokai Trick finished 12th behind Americain in the 2010 edition of the race, but Admire Rakti looks an excellent chance of replicating the effort of Delta Blues who took out the Melbourne Cup in 2006.
German stayer Protectionist made his Australian racing debut with a fast-finishing fourth in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) last weekend and he is on the second line of Melbourne Cup betting at a quote of $6.50.
Protectionist took out the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay (3000m) in his final race start before coming to Australia, the same race won by Americain before he took put the Melbourne Cup, and the Monsun entire is sure to relish the step-up top 3200 metres.
Lucia Valentina finished third in the Caulfield Cup behind Admire Rakti, but she stormed down the outside late after having no luck in running and lost no admirers with the brave performance.
Connections are yet to decide whether Lucia Valentina presses on to the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), but the Savabeel is currently available at odds of $8 to take out ‘the race that stops a nation’.
Bande was ruled out of the Caulfield Cup due to a tendon problem and is considered unlikely to be allowed to run in the Melbourne Cup, but he has been kept safe in Melbourne Cup betting markets at a quote of $15.
Fawkner is currently favourite in Cox Plate betting markets and his Melbourne Cup odds are sure to shorten from their current mark of $13 if he takes out the Australasian Weight-For-Age Championship next weekend.
The Reset gelding made up plenty of ground late to finish sixth behind Fiorente in the Melbourne Cup last year and he has returned to racing in as good a form.
Junoob ($17) and Brambles ($21) produced credible performances in the Caulfield Cup this afternoon and their Melbourne Cup odds have been shortened, but the prices available for The Offer ($17), Who Shot The Barman ($17) and Seismos ($26) have lengthened following this afternoons race.
The Offer has been Melbourne Cup favourite since he took out the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) earlier in the year, but was not particularly impressive in the Caulfield Cup, while the same can be said about Who Shot Thebarman who appeared to weaken late.
The biggest mover in 2014 Melbourne Cup betting markets has been Godolphin stayer Contributer and he is into odds of $17 following his strong first-up win in the Group 3 David Jones Cup (2000m), but he is no certainty to contest the race and is more likely to head towards the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day.
The 2014 Melbourne Cup field will be released on Saturday November 1 before the race is conducted on the first Tuesday of November.
