Gai Waterhouse’s Melbourne Cup winning stayer Fiorente is well and truly back and ready to win again this time in dominating the nominations and odds for Saturday’s Australian Cup 2014.

Fiorente is the early favourite for the 2014 Australian Cup after nominations. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia

Punters are treated to a host of Group 1 features around the country this weekend, two of which will run at Flemington Racecourse including the $1 million Group 1 Darley Australian Cup (2000m).

Of the 19 Australian Cup nominations taken last week, the favourite is Waterhouse’s star Monsun stallion Fiorente who resumed at Caulfield on February 22.

In their first run since handing their trainer with her first Melbourne Cup back in November the six-year-old proved they hadn’t lost their fitness with a resuming win in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m).

They rise in distance second-up on Saturday for their shot at the Melbourne Cup – Australian Cup double and are already nearing odds-on territory to take it out.

After their narrow first-up effort, Fiorente sits top of the pre-nomination Australian Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au paying $2.

It’s a price sure to firm once the final field is released later in the week.

Three of their other possible rivals are then also under $10 in the current markets with:

• Shamus Award ($4.80) – Danny O’Brien-trained Snitzel colt who caught the eye with their incredible Cox Plate victory as a maiden three-year-old in the spring, returned with a first-up third in the CF Orr before improving to defeat their own age in the Australian Guineas at Flemington last Saturday, on the short seven day back-up but not to be overlooked based on their talent and ability to surprise
• Foreteller ($8) – Chris Waller’s veteran seven-year-old failed in the Melbourne Cup (17^th) but was a credible fourth in the CF Orr and fifth in the Peter Young this time in, will appreciate the step up in distance and have a good record in Melbourne over the 2000m including their Caulfield Stakes second back in October
• Thunder Fantasy ($8) – Anthony Cummings-trained Lucky Owners colt, a three-year-old like Shamus Award who has bucket loads of potential proven with their Victoria Derby third in the sprint, first-up Autumn Stakes success at Caulfield this season and their credible last start third in the Australian Guineas over the weekend

Looking a little further down these futures markets punters may also want to consider the likes of 2012 Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon ($10) who was under a half length away fourth first-up in the Peter Young behind Fiorente, Peter Young third placegetter Star Rolling ($17) and veteran galloper Mourayan ($18) coming off an eye-catching Peter Young second who won’t be without their claims if accepted.

Stay tuned to Races.com.au for the 2014 Australian Cup final field and barriers due for release on Wednesday.

Before that announcement however Ladbrokes.com.au are the place to go for the best markets on all the weekend’s Group 1s so don’t miss out, bet with them today!