The countdown is on with just 98 days left until 24 of the world’s best stayers take to the famous Flemington track in the 2010 Melbourne Cup on Tuesday November 2.

With the pre-nomination betting markets at the online bookies starting to heat up, the question is being asked whether the early favourite Faint Perfume has what it takes to become the 2010 Melbourne Cup winner.

Trained by the legendary Bart Cummings, aiming for an unprecedented 13^th Melbourne Cup win in the 150^th edition of the esteemed handicap this year, Faint Perfume opened as the favourite in the ante-post markets at SportingBet.

Since betting begun, the punters have consistently been getting behind the Shamardal filly as Faint Perfume has shortened into $15, despite her never having been tested over the ‘two mile’ distance of the Melbourne Cup.

The rising four-year-old has already amassed over $1.44 million in prizemoney throughout her dazzling career, after winning five of her 11 starts to date including the Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m) at last year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Cummings will be looking to add to Faint Perfume’s stakes earnings this spring, especially via the Melbourne Cup prizemoney set at a record $6 million plus trophies this year.

Faint Perfume has been in the paddock since the end of her autumn campaign in April, which culminated with her second elite level win in the Group 1 Storm Queen Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill.

Last start the filly placed a gallant second to Once Were Wild in the Group 1 AJC Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick.

Recently overcoming a bad bout of pneumonia, Cummings is back to work and has a number of other stable stars preparing to give him a successful spring – click here to read more.

Other early favourites to become the 2010 Melbourne Cup winner include consistent Galileo gelding Linton, last year’s winner Shocking and the John O’Shea-trained duo of Jessicabeel and Zabrasive.

Follow Faint Perfume throughout her spring carnival campaign here at Races.com.au, as we will have all the best race previews and results during the spring racing season.

We will also be the first to publish the 2010 Melbourne Cup nominations in August, the Melbourne Cup final field following the final declarations in October and will provide constant updates on the form of the Melbourne Cup runners – so bookmark us!

Horse Facts – Faint Perfume

Jockey: Faint Perfume’s regular jockey is Michael Rodd, who is likely to continue his association with her during the spring.

Trainer: Bart Cummings

Owner: Dato Tan Chin Nam, Dr A T Jackson, Mrs C M Jackson

Age: 3YO

Gender: Filly

Career: 11-5-1-1

Current Melbourne Cup Odds: $15 SportingBet

If you want to back Faint Perfume or any other hopeful in the 2010 Melbourne Cup, don’t waste your money betting at the TAB.

Leading online bookmakers including [sportsbet] have all the best odds for this year’s Melbourne Cup showdown, so get ready for the Spring Carnival Racing today by signing up at [sportsbet] and enjoy a free bet as a new customer!