With just 75 days left until the 150^th running of the time-honoured Melbourne Cup at Flemington, we here at Races.com.au are starting to have an in-depth look at some of the top contenders in the [sportsbet] betting markets.

There is plenty of value to be found through the ante-post Melbourne Cup odds available at [sportsbet] with Meiner Kitz emerging as the leading international entry.

Since the announcement that Japan’s premier stayer Jaguar Mail is likely to miss the 2010 Melbourne Cup, the odds on fellow Japanese raider Meiner Kitz have shortened into $17 at [sportsbet].

Meiner Kitz is now the equal fourth-favourite to become the 2010 Melbourne Cup winner following top elects Dariana and Shocking ($13), and Faint Perfume ($15).

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The $6 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) was named as a spring target for the talented Meiner Kitz after they ran a gallant second to Jaguar Mail in the Group 1 Tenno Sho (3200m) at Kyoto Racecourse.

The Chieff Bearhart-sired Meiner Kitz had previously won the weight-for-age championship the previous year.

The last time Japan was represented in the Melbourne Cup was in 2006 when Delta Blues and Pop Rock finished 1-2.

Already Japanese pundits are rating the eight-year-old as better performer than Delta Blues and after another run in Japan Meiner Kitz will travel to Australia.

The 2010 Caulfield Cup is also on the agenda for the speedy stayer. Meiner Kitz is at $41 to win the Caulfield Cup at [sportsbet].

The chances of Meiner Kitz in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday November 2 will be made clearer when the handicaps are released on September 1.

Be the first to view the weights announcements for the 2010 Melbourne Cup and keep up to date with the latest spring racing news by bookmarking our site Races.com.au.

Horse Facts – Meiner Kitz

Jockey: Meiner Kitz will be ridden by his regular jockey Masami Matsuoka for their Australian campaign

Trainer: Sakae Kunieda

Owner: Thoroughbred Club Ruffian Synd.

Age: 8YO

Gender: Male Horse

Career: 36-7-8-2

Prizemoney: $6,200,848

Current Melbourne Cup Odds: $17 [sportsbet]

Now is the perfect time to lock in Meiner Kitz at very generous odds through [sportsbet], who have better odds than the local TAB and allow you to bet right now from home!