The antepost market for the spring carnival's big three - the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup - were thrown into overdrive after Efficient and Nick Hall sounded a Melbourne Cup warning with an emphatic Group 1 victory in the Turnbull Stakes.
It wasn’t just the 2007 Melbourne Cup winner that gave people a reminder of what he was capable of with a handful of other top horses staking their claims for the Carnival.
Meanwhile, early cups favourite Vigor lost his place at the head of many bookmaker’s markets.
After missing the 2008 Melbourne Cup through injury, connections are thrilled to be back on track with Efficient.
"It was a great win and we were expecting a big run from him today. He'll go to the Cox Plate and then the Melbourne Cup now," said Nick Williams, son of Efficient's managing part-owner, Lloyd Williams. "(We're) also very happy with C'est La Guerre. He bounced back after his last run and will run next week in the Yalumba, then go to the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup."
Meanwhile, the Caulfield Cup rather than the Cox Plate was identified as the aim of Predatory Pricer as he battled bravely.
"We might have got to the front a bit early but he switched off well without the blinkers and ran a great race,'' said trainer Paul Murray. ''I'm probably leaning towards the Caulfield Cup at this stage. It's two weeks away and fits in better, but I've got to talk to the owners."
Emirates Melbourne Cup: William Hill
8-1 Vigor, 12-1 Efficient, Profound Beauty, 14-1 C'Est La Guerre, Master O'Reilly, Viewed, 16-1 Daffodil, Speed Gifted, 20-1 Cima De Triomphe, Roman Emperor, 25-1 Changingoftheguard, Precedence, Shocking 33-1 Basaltico, Eastern Anthem, Kirklees, Mourilyan, Red Ruler, Unsung Heroine, Who begotyou, Zipping, 40-1 Alcopop, Capecover, Dandaad, Hissing Sid, Ista Kareem, Munsef, Mister Clangtastic, Leica Ding, 50-1 bar (EW 1/4 1,2,3,4)