Bookmakers have vowed to take on Melbourne Cup, the race that stops the nation and favourite Fame Game whose buffer at the top of betting continues to trim as many have backed the Japan trained horse to win the $6.2 million prize money.
Japanese stayer Fame Game, whose run in the Caulfield Cup courted an interrogation of jockey Zac Purton from stewards, was shopped at the inflated odds of $5 and received solid backing at the traditional Melbourne Cup eve function at Crown Casino.
The biggest Kiwi hope and prerace favourite, Mongolian Khan, was withdrawn on Thursday due to abdominal and muscle pain.
Fame Game will now start the race as a dominant favourite.
Other horses on the favourites list include last year’s runner-up Red Cardo, Preferment, Trip to Paris, Bondi Beach, Rising Romance and The United States.
The Melbourne Cups kicks off today at 5pm.
