The 2012 Melbourne Cup field and odds have been released and 2010 winner Americain is favourite after drawing barrier 12.
The French star is rated a $5 chance at bookmaker.com.au to claim his second Melbourne Cup title and he will come from a familiar position after winning the race from barrier 11 two years ago.
Fellow French Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden is hot on his tail in the market at $6.50 but will have to overcome a wide barrier 16 draw.
But the barrier shouldn’t pose too much of a problem for last year’s champion who was ridden by Craig Williams to Caulfield Cup victory from the outside last month.
Luca Cumani-trained gelding Mount Athos has featured prominently in Melbourne Cup markets all year and he currently occupies the third line of betting at $8.50.
The emerging stayer drew barrier eight and Cumani said he couldn’t have asked for anything better.
“Eight is great. Before hand when I was asked what draw would you like I said between 8 and 12,” Cumani said.
But Cumani has warned not to discount his other Cup runner, with My Quest For Peace currently at $26.
“I think Mount Athos should be a little bit longer [than he is] and My Quest For Peace a little bit shorter,” he said.
Fourth in the betting market is Red Cadeaux ($9.50) who was a narrow runner-up to Dunaden in 2011.
No other runner falls under double figures, with Australia’s top rated hope Maluckyday the next best in the market at $13.
Maluckyday will be out to turn the tables on Americain after finishing second in Australia’s biggest race in 2010.
Others towards the top of the market include the Lloyd Williams-owned Green Moon ($14) Irish stayer Galileo’s Choice ($17) and Cox Plate fourth Ethiopia ($18).
For the full 2012 Melbourne Cup betting market, visit bookmaker.com.au, the fully Australian owned and operated bookmaker and home of the $400 bonus bet.










