While the punter’s attention has been focused on reigning champion Shocking, another real contender to win the 2010 Melbourne Cup on Tuesday November 2 is last year’s beaten favourite Alcopop.

The Jake Stephens-trained Alcopop burst into Cups contention last year with a powerhouse win in the Herbert Power Stakes, where he beat Shocking by over three lengths.

He then started as the odds-on favourite in the 2009 Melbourne Cup at Flemington, but despite the Jeune gelding’s best efforts, Alcopop finished sixth to surprise winner Shocking and failed to find form again until his last start run this spring.

Alcopop – Horse Facts

• Jockey: In the 2009 Melbourne Cup Alcopop was ridden by Dom Tourneur but in his recent runs Mark Zahra has been Alcopop’s jockey and Zahra will be aboard for the Caulfield Cup making him the likely rider to mount Alcopop in the 2010 Melbourne Cup
• Trainer: Jake Stephens
• Owners: Mr J A Stephens; J, S, P & A Kelton; G & H Gillam et al.
• Age: 6YO
• Gender: Gelding
• Breeding: by Jeune (GB) from Iota Of Luck
• Career: 17-7-2-0
• Prize Money: $461,855
• Current Melbourne Cup Odds: $13 [sportsbet]

After a number of disappointing runs, Alcopop looked to have dropped off the punters’ radar but an eye-catching run in the Group 1 Yalumba Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield last week pushed the galloper onto centre stage again.

Alcopop put in a massive effort, running down weight-for-age warhorse Whobegotyou to finish second behind So You Think in the Yalumba elevating him in both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup betting markets.

Tomorrow Alcopop faces one of his toughest tests to date when he again takes on Shocking and a field of other classy stayers in the 2010 Caulfield Cup.

A win, or even a good place, in the $2.5 million Caulfield Cup tomorrow will see Alcopop move further into Melbourne Cup contention.

Currently he is 30^th on the Melbourne Cup order of entry, but as the Caulfield Cup winner is exempt from ballot for the Melbourne Cup, victory will see him secure a spot in the 24-horse field.

After his Yalumba Stakes performance, Alcopop was the odds-on favourite to win the Caulfield Cup but then on Wednesday connections drew the far outside barrier for the handicap feature and odds for Alcopop drifted right out.

Serious rain and a Heavy 9 rating on the Caulfield track, however, has made the wide barrier a favourable starting position and money has been pouring back in for Alcopop firming his odds back into $8.50 at [sportsbet].

Shocking is the clear favourite in the Caulfield Cup odds paying $5, but with Alcopop dropping back to 53.5 kilos tomorrow while Shocking is the 57 kilo top-weight, Alcopop has genuine claims.

A good performance by Alcopop in the Caulfield Cup tomorrow will dramatically shorten his odds to become the 2010 Melbourne Cup winner, so now is the time to back him at a generous price.

For full Melbourne Cup markets and the hottest odds on all the contenders, sign up with Australia’s most used and trusted online bookmaker [sportsbet] today.