Group 1 winner Buckaroo, fresh off his impressive second-place finish in the Caulfield Cup, has reclaimed the top spot in the Melbourne Cup betting markets as uncertainty looms over Cox Plate champion Via Sistina’s participation.

Buckaroo’s solid trackwork at Flemington on Tuesday morning has seen his odds shorten from $6 to $5 with betting sites, solidifying him as the Cup favourite. Meanwhile, Via Sistina’s price drifted from $5.50 to $8 as her connections continue to weigh their options.

The recent withdrawal of Jan Brueghel has also impacted other contenders. Geelong Cup winner Onesmoothoperator was trimmed from $8 to $6.50, Vauban moved from $9 to $7, and Land Legend saw his Cup odds drop significantly from $21 to $13 with swiftbet.

Land Legend, another Chris Waller-trained runner like Buckaroo and Via Sistina, only completed light cantering exercises at Flemington on Tuesday. He is scheduled for a more substantial workout at Bendigo on Wednesday.

When asked about Via Sistina’s status, Waller stated, “No decisions have been made yet” regarding her Melbourne Cup campaign, leaving fans eagerly awaiting further updates on the star mare’s potential run in Australia’s most prestigious race.

2024 Melbourne Cup Odds:

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*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.