Viewed - Alcopop - Mourilyan - Speed Gifted - Nom De Jeu - Zipping - Munsef

By John Clark
foxsports.com.au
October 25, 2009

They've been a threat in recent spring carnivals but this year's batch of Melbourne Cup raiders pose little threat to Bart Cummings and the home-grown hopes.

That's the view of TAB Sportsbet's Glenn Munsie, who is happy to take on the punters with faith in the imports entered in the 3200m race that stops the nation.

Cummings's Caulfield Cup winner Viewed, last year's Melbourne Cup winner Efficient and the impressive Alcopop head the betting at $6.50.

A host of Australian runners separate that triumvirate and the shortest-priced foreigner in the field Mourilyan.

"Almost 20 per cent of money bet on the Melbourne Cup to this point is on that three (Viewed, Efficient and Alcopop)," Munsie told foxsports.com.au.

"We had a special early on with Viewed and Efficient who were offered at double odds ($41 and $35). Efficient was the one we took money on and since the Caulfield Cup Viewed has attracted interest.

"This far out though it's speculative betting. We don't take the big money until closer to the day of the race. There's so much that can happen on race day let alone in a month leading up."

Munsie said results at Moonee Valley on Saturday had little impact on the market.

Lee Freedman's Speed Gifted, who beat only Nom De Jeu home in the Cox Plate, drifted slightly.

"He's out to $15 after that performance," Munsie reported.

Zipping, a grinding third behind Cummings's exciting youngster So You Think in the Cox Plate, has been trimmed into $13 for the Melbourne Cup but Munsie has his doubts.

"He's done that three years in a row and never featured in the Melbourne Cup.

"I think they set him for the Cox Plate and it was a good effort."

When pressed, Munsie offered Munsef as an at-odds Cup chance.

"I think they've got a couple of letters wrong. Should be Munsie. At $41 it's an international with some hope. It's as fast as me but can run a lot further."

Meanwhile, Nick Williams, fears the Cummings juggernaut will continue into Melbourne Cup week.

Williams, the spokesman for connections of Efficient, said the octogenarian was on course for a spring sweep.

"I don't think we have got any chance, have we, with Bart winning the Caulfield Cup and now the Cox Plate," Williams said.

"The gods are shining on him."