Americain may have to overcome a hoodoo that has stood for nearly eight decades to come back and win the 2012 Melbourne Cup but the bookies are taking zero chances with the French-trained galloper who remains at the top of the Melbourne Cup odds for this afternoon’s famous Flemington showdown.

Two years ago the American bred, Australian owned horse from France travelled down under and took out our greatest prize, the $6.2 million Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m).

Americain is the easing Melbourne Cup 2012 favourite

They returned 12 months ago and ran possibly the standout race in last year’s Melbourne Cup when fourth to another French galloper, Dunaden.

Now in the Melbourne Cup 2012 this afternoon Americain will look to become just the second horse in history to win multiple Melbourne Cups non-successively joining the Frank McGrath-trained Peter Pan (1932, 1934).

Yesterday Americain, last seen running a brave fourth to Duanden again this time in the Caulfield Cup, was paying $6.50 in the Melbourne Cup betting markets.

They have since eased out to $7 but remain the narrow favourite, the proven Group 1 performer out to atone for their Caulfield Cup loss.

Hot on Americain’s heels is then the defending Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden who is remaining steady $7.50.

Also occupying the second line of Melbourne Cup betting with Dunaden is then the Luca Cumani-trained Mount Athos who continues to gain support in from $8 to $7.50.

This European enjoyed a cavalier win over the famed Brown Panther at their most recent run and while they are first-up in Australia in Flemington Race 7 this afternoon Cumani is keener than ever to secure that elusive ‘Loving Trophy’.

The only other single-figure chance in the 24-horse Melbourne Cup field and markets is then last year’s devastatingly close runner-up Red Cadeaux who has eased out slightly from $9 to $9.50.

They were outstanding as a $40 roughie last year and have been set specifically for this race over the past 12 months so expect improvement on that.

Red Cadeaux should also love meeting Dunaden better at the weights this year and while they haven’t raced in a while they go well fresh and have been catching the eye at Werribee since arriving down under.

Other notable Melbourne Cup horses then include the Australian-trained Maluckyday ($13 out to $14) who was runner-up to Americain in 2010, Irish raider Galileo’s Choice ($16 into $15), Cumani’s other hopeful My Quest For Peace ($17), beaten Cox Plate favourite Green Moon ($16 out to $17) and Peter Moody’s in-form mare Lights Of Heaven ($17).

Check out the latest Melbourne Cup odds in the table below then head to bookmaker.com.au to Place Your Melbourne Cup Bets at the best prices!

2012 Melbourne Cup Odds

Flemington Race 7 – 3:00pm (AEST) – 06/11/2012

*Fixed Win Odds provided by bookmaker.com.au and subject to change