Horse racing enthusiasts and punters eagerly awaiting the 150^th running of the world-renowned Melbourne Cup this November can get an early look at some of the Cup hopefuls as they begin preparations at the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.

One Melbourne Cup hopeful on their way to Queensland for some of the lucrative Group races Brisbane has planned over the next couple of months is the Bill and Symon Wilde-trained Hissing Sid.

On Thursday five-year-old Hissing Sid had a brilliant start to his hopefully successful winter campaign when he blew his rivals away securing back-to-back wins in the $130,000 Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) following his success in the event last year.

Hissing Sid became the first horse in over three decades to secure consecutive Warrnambool Cups, after Puramaka’s wins in 1977 & 1978.

The impressive four and a half length win has earned the Golden Snake gelding a chance to run in the prestigious $300,000 Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) on Stradbroke Handicap Day at Eagle Farm on June 12.

Connections are hoping to use the Brisbane Cup to qualify Hissing Sid for the illustrious Melbourne Cup, worth a record $6 million, at the end of the year.

Another classy galloper with the long-term goal of running in the 2010 Melbourne Cup is the John Wheeler-trained Court Ruler.

The four-year-old Viking Ruler gelding is set to contest tomorrows $300,000 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast and is currently a $26 chance for the race through [iasbet].

Court Ruler’s performance tomorrow will decide whether or not Wheeler presses on and runs him in the $500,000 Group 1 Doomben Cup (2020m) on May 22^nd. And, if all goes to plan Court Ruler will then head home and begin preparations for the Melbourne Cup.

Tomorrow is the second race meeting of the Brisbane Winter Carnival and the other highlight event will be the $125,000 Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas (1200m).

For those ready to get in on the exciting betting action of the Melbourne Cup, SportingBet have already released their 2010 Melbourne Cup Early Betting Markets, so get in now to secure some of the best horse racing odds on offer!