Shocking - big support for Lexus Stakes winner

Following on from Saturday's dominant showing in the Group III at Flemmington, Lexus Stakes winner Shocking has had his odds slashed from $26 to $12 for the Melbourne Cup and is thus far the best supported runner since Saturday night's barrier draw.

However that being said, the horse that defeated Shocking at two of his three prior starts, Alcopop ($5.50) remains the backers elect favourite, slightly ahead last year's Cup winner Viewed ($5.60). Also amongst the favourites is another from the Cummings' stable, Roman Emperor, solid in the Final Field Market at $9.40.

Other horses worth a look include Danny O'Brien's remaining hope, Master O'Reilly ($15); Daffodil ($18) and Basaltico ($44).

Betting jargon explained #14

Blinkers: A device attached to the head of the horse to prevent it from having sideways vision and to keep its attention to what's in front of it.

In Saturday's Caulfield Cup, Roman Emperor ($15) wore blinkers for the first time and ran an impressive 2nd behind winner Viewed ($13). Viewed's win was the first time since Rising Fast in 1955 that a Melbourne Cup winner has returned the following year to win the Caulfield Cup. Both Roman Emperor and Viewed are trained by the legendary Bart Cummings.