Is the Melbourne Cup run and won already? Seems that most people think so. In fact, So You Think is so hot he could end up around the 6/4 mark on Cup Day! But the Cup outcome is never that simple. For a start, there'll be a record nine internationals from six countries challenging SYT after an extraordinary rain-lashed day at Flemington. Bart Cummings's 4YO showed his class with a Mackinnon win that was so easily handled it took the breath away. It was enough for bookies to immediately strengthe

Is the Melbourne Cup run and won already? Seems that most people think so. In fact, So You Think is so hot he could end up around the 6/4 mark on Cup Day! But the Cup outcome is never that simple. For a start, there'll be a record nine internationals from six countries challenging SYT after an extraordinary rain-lashed day at Flemington. Bart Cummings's 4YO showed his class with a Mackinnon win that was so easily handled it took the breath away. It was enough for bookies to immediately strengthen his stranglehold on the race and lovernight he was into 5/2 ($3.50). Last year's winner, Shocking, is the only horse under double figures at $7.50 after a slogging run behind SYT in the Mackinnon. He's also copped gate #24.

Confidence reigns...Mark Kavanagh reckons Shocking can win from barrier 24. He says: 'Barriers are irrelevant in a race like this. He came from 21 last year and won.' Nick Williams says his family's duo Zipping (barrier 16) and Linton (23) still have their chance of victory despite poor draws. 'Whether you draw barrier one or 24, you still have to get a good ride to win,' he says.

Maluckyday is the big Cup firmer after his commanding Lexus win.He's owned by Nick Moraitis, whose champ Might And Power won the Melbourne Cup in 1997. He's into $11 after Sportingbet offered as much as $61 last week about him winning the Melbourne Cup. Sportingbet's spruiker Michael Sullivan says: 'There was plenty of money for Maluckyday during the week, including one bet to win $75,000...On today's evidence those punters did some very good shopping.' The John Hawkes camp thought long and hard about whether to accept with Maluckyday. They fear he's a bit immature.