This year the biggest event on the Australian horse racing calendar will be the 150^th running of the coveted Melbourne Cup at Flemington.

The Melbourne Cup is one of the world’s most elite and anticipated races, drawing the top echelon of horses and trainers from all around the world.

Betting on the Melbourne Cup and its brilliant contenders is as much a part of the Australian culture as watching the footy with your mates.

Online betting has made betting on the 2010 Melbourne Cup easy and exciting and you can get in on the action of it all right now.

Even though the Melbourne Cup is still months away, if you know horses and have an idea of which of the world’s quality gallopers are likely to contest this premier staying event then you can secure the best possible odds by following your hunches early.

One of Australia’s leading online bookmakers SportingBet has a top-class selection of early possible runners and odds for the 2010 Melbourne Cup. Currently they have around 70 of the world’s best stayers on their books who look the most likely to have a chance of securing a spot in the Cup this year.

Punters can select from these pre determined odds or if you have another horse in mind that you fancy then contact SportingBet and they will organise a quote for that runner.

All of the early 2010 Melbourne Cup selections are installed at juicy odds of $16 and over making this the best time for eager bettors to clean up on Cup day!

Even better, if your selected horse isn’t nominated for the race when 2010 Melbourne Cup nominations roll around then you will receive a full refund!

Currently the pre-nominations favourite is brilliant Shamardal filly Faint Perfume, trained by the legendary Bart Cummings who will be attempting his 13^th Melbourne Cup victory this year.

Faint Perfume recently won the Group 1 Storm Queen Stakes and is looking on track for more success in her autumn campaign.

The second favourite at this stage for the 2010 Melbourne Cup with SportingBet is another under the training of premier mentor Cummings, Precedence at $20.

Precedence is then followed by the Robert Hickmott-trained Linton ($21), Rosehill Guineas winner Zabrasive ($23), defending Melbourne Cup champion Shocking ($23), improving gelding Alcopop ($26) and impressive three-year-old filly Valdemoro ($26).

Remember this excellent offer, including full refunds if your horse isn’t nominated for the 2010 Melbourne Cup, is only available through SportingBet so visit them to view the full terms and conditions.