The 2008 Melbourne Cup is set to run 4th November at Flemington once again this year.  The various betting agencies were very busy putting up their initial markets last week and interestingly they have Efficient as the starting favouriate at $13.  As a long time follower of the Melbourne Cup I am constantly surprised by this, last years winner will almost always head the opening market stakes.

We all know that there have only ever been four horses that have backed up with a win the next year, Archer, Rain Lover, Think Big and Makybe Diva (this great mare won three in a row), so why do betting agencies look to start the prevvious years winner so close or at the top of the odds?  Well the short answer is that plently of people will bet and ‘donate’ their money!

This is where something like betfair comes into it’s own.  You can now lay off Efficient who has run once since last years victory, the odds will certainly drift out as the other major threats rake up wins leading into the Spring Carnivial.  When the odds drift out, you can back it and be in a non-losing position.  If you don’t understand this now, I cannot go into all the detail, but there will be other posts down the track and video series that explain the concept fo trading on betfair.

Outside of Efficient, there are a few other interesting odds for horses, the boom Weekend Hussler is on the 2nd line at $15 and we are not even sure he’ll race in the Cup.  We know from recent press reports that he is being set at least for the Cox Plate and perhaps Caulfield Cup, the all three is a tough ask.  He had a great year as a three year old, but I belive that the Melbourne Cup will be beyond him this year.

Nom Du Jeu burst onto the scene over the Auntum in Sydney, I am surprised to see it this short this early ($21) and the reverse for Tuesday Joy, I really thought she would be much shorter then the $21 on offer.  Tuesday Joy is probably my early selection, but more on how I select Melbourne Cup runners much later.

It is interesting that Delta Blues 2006 winner and Pop Rock, 06 runner up are both listed at $35 and $26 respectively.  Neither horse ran the Cup in 2007 and have not heard as yet if either will make the trip from Japan.  It would great a great amount of excitement to in the lead up to have them in the country once again.  If they follow the same preparation as 2006, then they would be hear early to get a run or two under their belt.

Maldivian is the other name that stands out for me also at $35.  This horse last year was the biggest thing going around before gashing it’s head on the barrier gate and scratch before the Caulfield Cup, no confirmed news on a Cup run yet.

Still early days in the 2008 Melbourne Cup a full list of initial odds listed below