Many experts are tipping the 2011 Melbourne Cup will have an international first four finish.

This theory is well founded – especially with the French duo Americian and Dunaden at the head of 2011 Melbourne Cup betting

Luxbet have the 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain just $4 for a repeat and Dunaden $7.

Both horses are undefeated in Australia.

Americian from three starts in the southern hemisphere has won the 2010 Geelong and Melbourne Cup and the 2011 Moonee Valley Cup on October 22.

Dunaden won the 2011 Geelong Cup

How a horse travels to Australia and reacts to the change of climate is all important.

That’s why it is good for international horses to have a start in Australia prior to a Melbourne Cup.

In the past, international Melbourne Cup winners Media Puzzle (2002), Delta Blues (2006) and Americain in (2010) all had a run prior to the Cup.

The only exception was Vintage Crop who came straight from Ireland to win the 1993 Melbourne Cup.

Jukebox Jury, Luxbet $41, Drunken Sailor Luxbet $31 , Sahara SunLuxbet $151 and Bauer Luxbet $16 .

Cumani believes Bauer is the best of his four and the 2008 Melbourne Cup runner up seems to be back in good form having run an unlucky third to Dunaden in the Geelong Cup.

Cumani’s assessment of Bauer and his other horses differ to that of the international ratings (below) but it may be more down to the fact Bauer has a good turn of foot that he performs better in Australia.

Bauer is no certainly to gain a 2011 Melbourne Cup start being 29th in the order of entry.

Manighar and Drunken Sailor are handy but may lack the required turn of foot to win the 2011 Melbourne Cup.

There are major staying doubts on Sahara Sun and his run in the 2011 Bendigo Cup was poor – it would be no surprise if he didn’t take his place in the Melbourne Cup of 2011.

 Red Cadeaux Luxbet $26 and Fox Hunt Luxbet $26 are considered wet trackers, the Godolphin pair Lost in the Moment Luxbet $41 and Modun Luxbet $31 are not highly regarded at all.

 Tactics Luxbet $401 was once considered quite decent but has shown nothing in Australia.

Tanby Luxbet $51 has been serviceable but seems to lack the true class of a Melbourne Cup winner despite his gallant performance to win the 2011 Bendigo Cup.

And there seems nothing special about Brian Ellison’s duo Moyenne Corniche Luxbet $31 and Saptapadi Luxbet $101.

The Lloyd Williams runners At First Sight Luxbet $20, Midas Touch Luxbet $26 and Green Moon Luxbet $21 have all shown glimpses of true ability – it would not be strange for them to show their very best on 2011 Melbourne Cup day.

All Williams’ horses are racing better than the international ratings suggests.

German import Lucas Cranich Luxbet $ 8 was decent in the Caulfield Cup without gaining too many accolades.

A cracked heel problem wouldn’t be helping but being with five time Melbourne Cup winning trainer Lee Freedman doesn’t hurt.

We agree with the ratings and have Americain on top but then differ.

We then have Midas Touch, Dunaden, Green Moon, and Illo.

It seems Bart Cummings has already improved Illo on its European rating.

 International ratings of the 2011 Melbourne Cup candidates at their best.

•  1. Americain – 125
•  2. Jukebox Jury, Midas Touch – 120
•  3. Tactics – 119
•  4. Drunken Sailor, Red Cadeaux, Manighar, Fox Hunt – 118
•  5. At First Sight, Dunaden 117
•  6. Bauer, Lost In The Moment 115
•  7. Green Moon 114
•  8. Saptapadi 113
•  9. Moyenne Corniche, Modun 110
•  10. Illo, Sahara Sun 109.

Up to 13 internationals could take part in the 2011 Melbourne Cup after second declarations were taken today.

Ten of those horses are in the top 24 ranked gallopers and by staying fit will certainly have a 2011 Melbourne Cup start.

The  Melbourne Cup has come a long way since the Irish galloper Vintage Crop became the first internationally trained horse to win.

That horse’s trainer Dermot Weld is not here this year but the challenge from the overseas gallopers is as strong as ever – in fact many experts cannot see a local finishing in the 2011 Melbourne Cup first three.

Luxbet have the two French gallopers ahead in the 2011 Melbourne Cup betting – Americain Luxbet $4 and Dunaden Luxbet $6.50.

Both have had one start in Australia this season for impressive wins, and Americain of course is last year’s Melbourne Cup winner.

German import Lucas Cranach has had one start in Australia but is considered one of ours.

Now trained by Lee and Anthony Freedman, Luxbet have the Caulfield Cup 5^th placegetter Luxbet $8.50.

Jukebox Jury Luxbet $12 is next in the betting and he hasn’t even raced in Australia.

The UK trained galloper, who likes to lead in his races, had a win over both Dunaden and Americain in the Group 2 Kergolay 3000m in Deauville in August.

The question is whether the Mark Johnson trained galloper can bring that form to Australia on his first visit.

Bart Cummings is likely to have two runners in the 2011 Melbourne Cup with his German import Illo next in betting with Luxbet at $14.

He ran a creditable third to Americain in the Moonee Valley Cup but his condition gave way in the final stages. Cummings has said he will be fitter.

Bart’s other contender is the unlucky Caulfield Cup runner Precedence Luxbet $31.

Bauer is considered the best of Luca Cumani’s four entrants but he is the only one of them not in the top 24 and he may miss a run.

He is presently 29^th in the 2011 Melbourne Cup order of entry and is $16 with Luxbet.

The first of the true Australian horses in the betting is Caulfield Cup third placegetter Tullamore, trained by Gai Waterhouse, is $18 with Luxbet .

Local owner Lloyd Williams may have up to six runners in this year’s 2011 Melbourne Cup but even his horses haven’t been fully exposed on Australian soil.

Midas Touch Luxbet $26 (for Melbourne Cup) and At First Sight Luxbet $31 have looked promising from the limited amount of starts.

More can be seen from At First Sight when he contests the Bendigo Cup on Wednesday.

Keep tuned as a full run down on all the 2011 Melbourne Cup horses will be posted on this site.

In the meantime, get in on the Melbourne Cup betting action when re-adjusted markets open shortly by heading to our preferred online bookmaker Luxbet.

Make sure you cash in on Luxbet’s exclusive $500 spring carnival bonus welcome bet offer by entering the promotional code BONUSBET when you make your first deposit.