There’s only hours left until the race that stops the nation gets underway and Australian hopes of a Champion local has well and truly gathered pace according to online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au.

Sportsbet is gearing up for the most exciting day in the history of the company and are expecting to take over 2.5 million bets on the Melbourne Cup with over $50 million of turnover on the day.

**Sportsbet spokespeople available for interview on Melbourne Cup betting**

Christian Jantzen on 0406 531 684 or [email protected]
Shaun Anderson on 0412 654 931 or [email protected]

Will Byrne on 0419 128 314 or [email protected]

Ben Hawes on 0404 785 552 or [email protected]

Here’s the latest Sportsbet form guide:

The Top Five

Admire Rakti - $6.00

The foreign invader from Japan has been the best backed runner with over 18% of the total money wagered. Originally opened at $26 back in February with the shortest price being $4.40 in mid-October.

Signoff - $7.00

Carrying the weight of Aussie expectations, his Lexus Stakes win on Saturday had seen the horse gallop from $17 into $6.50. A one-time $34 bet, has now received 6% of total wagers.

Lucia Valentina - $7.00

The second best backed horse in the race with 14% of money placed, opened at $41 to go as short as $6.50 but has lost some footing with the emergence of Signoff.

Protectionist - $7.50

With 9% of total wagers, Protectionist is a serious contender. Largest price was once $26 to eventually shorten to $5.50 before waning.

Fawkner - $7.50

The last horse under double digits, Fawkner is the third best backed horse with 13% of punters cash. One time $34 shot, he’s come a long way from the back in the lead up to the big race.

The Dark Horses

Who Shot Thebarman - $17

Well supported roughie. Always treading water between $26 and $17 to finally settle at $17.

Red Cadeaux - $26

One time $101 large outsider, steady support has slowly shifted the Ed Dunlop trained horse up the field.

“The Nation is all set for the biggest day in the calendar and hopefully an Aussie can get across the line first to make it a memorable day,” said sportsbet.com.au’s Will Byrne.

Market courtesy of sportsbet.com.au: Join Sportsbet.com.au Here. Free 300% Bonus Bet. Deposit $50 Bet With $200

Melbourne Cup

(Prices in brackets from Monday 3rd November)
$6.00 Admire Rakti (out from $5.50)

$7.00 Signoff (out from $6.50)

$7.00 Lucia Valentina (steady)

$7.50 Protectionist (out from $7.00)

$7.50 Fawkner (in from $9.50)

$10 Mutual Regard (in from $11)

$17 Who Shot Thebarman (in from $21)

$26 Red Cadeaux (out from $21)

$26 Junoob (steady)

$26 Willing Foe (in from $34)

$26 Araldo (steady)

$31 Cavalryman (out from $26)

$41 My Ambivalent (steady)
$61 Opinion (in from $67)

$71 Brambles (out from $67)

$71 Precedence (in from $101)

$81 Lidari (out from $67)

$81 Au Revoir (out from $67)

$101 Seismos (out from $67)

$101 Royal Diamond (out from $67)

$101 Gatewood (out from $81)

$101 Unchain My Heart (in from $151)

$201 Mr O’ceirin (in from $251)