Bookmakers take on Gai Waterhouse as favourite Fiorente gets the drifts

GUIDE TO WINNING: BOOKMAKERS are at odds over Melbourne Cup favourite Fiorente's place at the top of markets.

BOOKMAKERS are at odds over Melbourne Cup favourite Fiorente's place at the top of markets with one claiming he would have to be a "superstar'' to win after his tough Cox Plate run.

Sportingbet is taking on Gai Waterhouse's star import, pushing his price to $9, almost double his $5.50 favourite status after his game third in the Cox Plate.

The TAB agrees the favourite is highly vulnerable, while Sportsbet and Betstar think the well drawn Fiorente, who has followed the Green Moon blueprint from 2012 according to rival Lloyd Williams, is the horse to beat.

Betstar's Michael Horne predicted parochial locals would rally for Fiorente, one of few Australian-trained chances in a Cup dominated by raiders.

YOUR MELBOURNE CUP SWEEP GENERATOR

"They'll definitely rally for Gai. The Australian punters are reluctant to back imports they haven't seen and they've had a good look at Fiorente now and they like what they see.''

Sportingbet boss Michael Sullivan was adamant Fiorente faced far more daunting task than he did last year, when second to Green Moon.

PROFILES OF THE MELBOURNE CUP RUNNERS

"We saw Jet Away come off a hard run and get flogged in the Mackinnon and Fiorente had a gut-buster in the Cox Plate,'' Sullivan said.

"We're more than happy to take him on.''

The TAB's Adam Hamilton said punters had deserted Fiorente since Saturday night's barrier draw, even though he drew well in barrier five.

Gai Waterhouse rugs up Phillip Pollicina, a part-owner of Melbourne Cup favourite Fiorente, at her Flemington stables. Picture:

"There's been no real support since the draw and we're more than happy to take him on,'' he said.

"Our form assessors reckon it's the most open Cup in memory, with up to 15 chances. Of course we'll take on the favourite.''

Horne said "no way'' when asked if Fiorente was a risk.

"He's in great form, he has a nice barrier, his Cox Plate run was enormous. He's at his right price at about $7,'' Horne said.

Sportsbet.com.au reported Fiorente as "clearly the best backed'' runner yesterday.

"It's all starting to make sense for the punters and the money is now coming as expected," sportsbet.com.au's Shaun Anderson said.

Williams, who has six runners, said Fiorente had "impeccable'' Cup form.

"Gai has used exactly the same races as I did with Green Moon last year,'' Williams said.

Williams added: "If I can't win the race I hope Gai does. I'd be as thrilled for her to win the race as I would be for myself. I would just love her to win the Cup.''

2012 Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon crosses the finish line to comfortably win the big race.

HOW TO WIN THE CUP

THE START

A long run of about 1200m to the first turn, giving jockeys plenty of opportunity to get over close to the rail.

POST THE FIRST TIME

Riders will want to have found a position and have their mounts relaxed and into a nice rhythm.

2000m

If a horse is still trapped deep going down the back of the course, then their Melbourne Cup chances are virtually over. Jockeys like to give their mounts a bit of a "breather" along the back straight.

1000m-800m

This is where the race begins in earnest. Important for jockeys to have their mounts on the back of horses moving forward into the race and not tiring.

HOME TURN

The field tends to bunch at this point and jockeys always talk about the necessity of having clear galloping room from the top of the straight. It is very difficult, almost impossible, to overcome an interrupted run through the field.

THE CLOCK TOWER

Jockeys don't wait for the clock tower anymore - if they ever did. This marker is about 180m from the finish and by this point of the race it is crucial to have momentum and clear galloping room.