A PUNTER is awaiting a potential $555,000 Melbourne Cup collect after dropping $50,000 each-way on Marmelo with bookmaker Ladbrokes.

The clearly confident punter took odds of $8 (win) and $3.10 (place) for the British raider, who has surpassed defending champ Almandin as the Cup favourite, reports punters.com.au.

Ladbrokes has also reported a $100,000 place bet on Marmelo while Sportsbet has taken a $20,000 wager on the Caulfield Cup sixth placegetter.

Other runners to attract interest from the heavy-hitters include Almandin ($22,000 at $11 - Sportsbet), Johannes Vermeer ($20,000 at $10 and $13,000 at $10 - TAB) and Ventura Storm ($10,000 each way at $41/11 - Ladbrokes).

All the big Melbourne Cup bets can be seen below.

TAB

7. Johannes Vermeer $20,000 at $10

7. Johannes Vermeer $13,000 at $10

5. Marmelo $10,000 at $8.50

5. Marmelo $7000 at $8.50

2. Almandin $7000 at $7

1. Hartnell $5000 each way at $13/$4

SPORTSBET

5. Marmelo $20,000 at $9

5. Marmelo $5000 at $11

2. Almandin $22,000 at $11

2. Almandin $5500 at $6.50

9. Max Dynamite $5000 at $19

5. Marmelo $4000 at $9

WILLIAM HILL

2. Almandin $6000 each way at $10

3. Humidor $5000 at $10

5. Marmelo $6000 each way at $8.50

7. Johannes Vermeer $5000 at $11

9. Max Dynamite $3500 at $14

20. Wall of Fire $4000 at $11

LADBROKES

5. Marmelo $50,000 each way at $8/$3.10

5. Marmelo $100,000 place at $3.10

10. Ventura Storm $10,000 each way at $41/$11

19. Single Gaze $6000 each way at $41/$11

2. Almandin $4000 at $6.50

UBET

3. Humidor $10,000 at $6.50 (all-in)

7. Johannes Vermeer $5000 at $10

2. Almandin $5000 at $6.50 (all-in)

15. Boom Time $4000 to place at $7.25

4. Tiberian $2000 at $26

PALMERBET

2. Almandin $10,000 at $9

2. Almandin $5000 each way at $17 (all-in)

5. Marmelo $8000 at $8.50

22. Rekindling $5000 each way at $14

3. Humidor $6000 at $10

This story first appeared on punters.com.au and was republished with permission.