The Luca Cumani trained Mount Athos remains a $7.50 favourite at Sportingbet for the Melbourne Cup, despite drawing wide in barrier 22 for Australia’s great race.

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Fiorente, which was replaced as favourite by Mount Athos on Friday, remains an $8 second favourite at Sportingbet after drawing favourably in barrier 5.

Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said Mount Athos is still likely to start the favourite on Tuesday.

“The money we’ve taken for Mount Athos during the week and even immediately after the draw suggests the horse is flying and can win from anywhere,” Sullivan said.

“He’ll have time to find his place and is still the horse to beat,” Sullivan said.

Lexus Stakes winner Ruscello drifted from $20 to $40 at Sportingbet after drawing gate 24.

Dear Demi, which was $26 prior to a cracking second in the Mackinnon Stakes, stays at $15 after drawing barrier 16. Dear Demi’s owner, John Singleton, stands to collect more than $2million from Sportingbet if the mare wins after placing $50,000 by $25,000 on the horse at odds of $41.

“No doubt Singo is getting very excited about Dear Demi’s prospects after that impressive Cup trial,” Sullivan said.

Last year’s winner Green Moon has firmed from $41 into $26, while Caulfield Cup runner-up Dandino is $12 into $11.

Now Pre-barrier draw
1. DUNADEN (1) $41 $41

2. GREEN MOON (10) $26 $41

3. RED CADEAUX (23) $51 $51

4. SEA MOON (7) $15 $16

5. BROWN PANTHER (6) $19 $23

6. FIORENTE (5) $8 $8

7. FORETELLER (15) $26 $26

8. DANDINO (4) $11 $12

9. ETHIOPIA (14) $61 $61

10. FAWKNER (8) $21 $28

11. MOURAYAN (19) $81 $81

12. SEVILLE (9) $21 $19

13. SUPER COOL (13) $41 $41

14. MASKED MARVEL (2) $31 $31

15. MOUNT ATHOS (22) $7.50 $7.50

16. ROYAL EMPIRE (11) $26 $31

17. VOLEUSE DE COEURS (21) $12 $13

18. HAWKSPUR (18) $13 $15

19. SIMENON (12) $21 $26

20. IBICENCO (17) $67 $71

21. VEREMA (13) $13 $13

22. DEAR DEMI (16) $15 $15

23. TRES BLUE (20) $17 $19

24. RUSCELLO (24) $41 $20