KEY POINTS:
Stablemates Xcellent and Eskimo Queen are the shortest-priced Kiwi nominations for the A$5 million Melbourne Cup in November.
At $41 they are significantly shorter than the remainder of the Kiwis entered.
The Victoria Racing Club attracted 256 entries this week, down from 263 last year, but international nominations are up from 38 to 48.
Japan sent a strong attack to the race last year, landing a Delta Blues/Pop Rock stable quinella result, and look formidable again.
Delta Blues and Pop Rock return, but this time Aussie bookmakers cannot land a bet on Delta Blues to make it two straight, but Pop Rock has been heavily backed.
"You could just about put up any price you want on Delta Blues - the punters just don't want to know," said Domebet bookie Brian Taylor.
Punters are worried what weight Delta Blues will get when handicaps are declared on September 3.
There has been heavy betting on another Japanese runner, Tosho Knight, trained by Kazutaka Yasuda.
"Our Japan-based European punter backed Delta Blues and Pop Rock last year and he's gone for Tosho Knight this time," said Taylor.
The early joint favourites are Efficient and Fiumicino, the VRC and AJC Derby winners respectively of last season.
Efficient's regular rider, Michael Rodd, surprised everyone this week by severing his ties with owner Lloyd Williams. Rodd rode a confident race to land Efficient home a winner of the Victoria Derby last spring.
"Trainers were thinking of me being tied exclusively to the Williams team. Maybe now they will see me differently," said the talented Rodd.
Outside Xcellent and Eskimo Queen, the tightest quote of the other Kiwis - in fact the only other one inside $100 - is Princess Coup at $67.
Mandela, who landed a prize by finishing inside the first 10 in last year's Melbourne Cup, is at $101 with Uberalles, and Everswindell and Lilakyn are at $151.
Aftershock, who races at Ruakaka today, and Bak Da Chief are quoted at $201.
