The Melbourne Cup is still five months away but already it appears the internationals will again be a formidable force.
TAB Sportsbet has released a market for the 2012 Melbourne Cup and of the top 10 horses in betting, five are trained overseas.
The remaining five are trained in Australia but all began their careers elsewhere.
Anthony Freedman has the two horses at the top of betting, last year's Cup placegetter Lucas Cranach and Doomben Cup winner Mawingo who are $17 apiece.
December Draw, who has not raced since breaking down in the Caulfield Cup last spring, is at $21 along with the past two Melbourne Cup winners Dunaden and Americain.
Italy's Jakkalberry, Argentinian Val Champ and England's Red Cadeaux - who went down by a nose to Dunaden last year - are all prominent at $26.
TAB Sportsbet doesn't usually release a Melbourne Cup market until nominations are taken in September, however a change in the rules means they are now able to offer prices prior to entries in line with corporate bookmakers.
If a punter backs a horse and it is not nominated their money will be refunded.
