There are only hours to go before the Melbourne Cup 2013 steals the spotlight at Flemington Racecourse at 3:00pm (AEST) and in the latest betting markets on the ‘race that stops a nation’ Fiorente is the only remaining single figure chance.

Fiorente is the only 2013 Melbourne Cup chance currently under $10 to win. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.

Earlier in the week punters could get both the Gai Waterhouse-trained favourite Fiorente as well as Luca Cumani’s British raider Mount Athos under $10 in the markets for this year’s $6 million Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m).

However with money easing on Cumani’s Montjeu seven-year-old, Mount Athos has blown out to $10 making Fiorente at $7, in from $7.50, the clear cut favourite to win the world’s richest handicap.

The Monsun gelding came close in their Australian race debut 12 months ago when runner-up to the Lloyd Williams-owned Green Moon in last year’s Cup.

They’ve been on the improve ever since gaining valuable racing experience down under and, after coming up trumps with barrier five for their second shot at the ‘Loving Trophy’, are the one to beat according to the bookies.

Mount Athos also ran in last year’s Cup when fifth but are losing steam with the punters not having raced since their second to Harris Tweed in the March Stakes (2800m) at Goodwood in late August.

The other top punters’ picks in the 2013 Melbourne Cup odds are then:

• #8 Dandino ($11 out to $13) – Price easing for Marco Botti’s seven-year-old raider who, after winning the USA St Leger in August as the odds-on favourite, debuted down under with a brave Caulfield Cup second, has the class, form and draw but need to get the distance
• #4 Sea Moon ($13 out to $14) – One of the six Williams-owned runners out to give the leviathan owner back-to-back Cup wins, has the best lead-up form coming off a Herbert Power win and from barrier seven looks set to hit their peak down under finally
• #21 Verema ($11 out to $15) – Odds are getting longer on the Alain de Royer Dupre-trained French mare, not sure why as she’s got outstanding form having won the Prix Kergorlay last start which produced both Dunaden (2011) and her former stablemate Americain (2010) for their Cup wins, carries a light weight and has a gun draw in three, great value
• #10 Fawkner ($19 into $16) – Big Melbourne Cup betting market mover, one of the best backed over the past 24 hours, another from the Williams’ Cup clan who won the Caulfield Cup last time out and is out to become the 12^th horse in history to complete the coveted Spring Cups double, gets a draw (8) and weight (54.5kg) and is ultra-consistent

Others in the mix at $17 are then the Chris Waller-trained Hawkspur who is one of the forgotten horses in the field this year, and William Mullins’ Irish galloper and former hurdler Simenon who is a gun at the distance and who showed a lovely turn of foot when third to Sea Moon in the Herbert Power in their lead-up run.

The only other runner under $20 is then $19 shot Dear Demi, Clarry Conners’ flying mare who is rock hard fit and ready to go following a Caulfield cup third and a Mackinnon second on Saturday.

Lovely Dehere four-year-old on the short three day back-up but won 2012 Crown Oaks last Melbourne Cup Carnival just five days after running the Wakeful so can handle a fair bit of racing.

Check out all the Melbourne Cup betting markets below, prices listed being Ladbrokes.com.au’s exclusive ‘Double The Odds’ markets on the Cup field 2013!

2013 Melbourne Cup Odds