The big punters are warming to fairytale horse Alcopop for the Melbourne Cup with some huge bets arriving for the gelding at Sportingbet Australia.

Alcopop is $5.50 second favourite behind Viewed at $5.00 but Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said some big bets are seeing him challenge for favouritism.

“We took a bet of $35,000 at $5.50 this morning so that punter stands to collect nearly $200,000 and he has clearly been the best backed since the barrier draw,” Sullivan said.

“I always expected the Bart Cummings factor would ensure Viewed ran favourite but the money we are seeing come for Alcopop could well change that.

“Shocking’s win on Saturday really stamped his form and punters could still make him one of the most unlikely Cup favourites ever.”

2009 MELBOURNE CUP
Sportingbet Australia Market

Viewed 5.00
Alcopop 5.50
Roman Emperor 9.00
Shocking 11.00
Master O’Reilly 13.00
Daffodil 14.00
Leica Ding 17.00
Changingoftheguard 18.00
Basaltico 21.00
Mourilyan 21.00
Allez Wonder 26.00
Warringah 26.00
C’est La Guerre 26.00
Newport 35.00
Munsef 51.00
Crime Scene 51.00
Fiumicino 61.00
Kibbutz 71.00
Ista Kareem 71.00
Zavite 71.00
Capecover 81.00
Harris Tweed 101.00
Gallion’s Reach 201.00
Spin Around 201.00