>:D

Import opens favourite for the 2012 Melbourne Cup

Punters will have little respite after bookmakers posted markets on the 2012 Melbourne Cup just hours after the running of the 2011 edition of the great race.

Dunaden crossed the line narrowly ahead of the English galloper Red Cadeaux in the $6 million event but bookmakers overlooked the duo when installing a favourite for next year's race.

Tuesday's third placegetter Lucan Cranach is the favourite to win the 2012 Melbourne Cup. IASbet and Sportsbet have posted the lightly-raced stayer as a $13 chance to improve on his 2011 result.

Red Cadeaux is a $17 chance with both bookmakers to avenge his narrow Melbourne Cup defeat next year while Dunaden is at $21 to achieve back-to-back wins in Australia's best race.

Americain defended his 2010 Melbourne Cup title bravely before finishing fourth. Sportsbet and IASbet installed him as a $26 chance to regain his crown with the Group I VRC Derby runner-up Induna also at $26.

December Draw has a long period of rehabilitation ahead of him after sustaining leg fractures in the Caulfield Cup. The pair of bookmakers have him as a $41 chance to make a triumphant comeback in the 2012 Melbourne Cup.

The VRC Victoria Derby winner Sangster is also a $41 chance as is the controversial late withdrawal from the Melbourne Cup, the Lloyd Williams-owned Mourayan.

Illo is a $51 chance to master trainer Bart Cummings his 13th win in the Melbourne Cup.

Ok with you Thirsty always been one of my pet hates, however go and have a look at Sportingbet they certainly try with the markets.