Septimus well backed for Cup

Top-class Irish stayer Septimus has been backed into favouritism in some Melbourne Cup markets after his first-up victory in Ireland on the weekend.

Septimus had his odds slashed from $26 to $15 with Betstar following his two-and-a-half-length victory in the Group Three Curragh Cup.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained stayer is an outright $14 favourite from last year's winner Efficient on betting exchange Betfair, and is on the second line of betting on $17 with Sportingbet Australia.

O'Brien has yet to outline Septimus' immediate program but a start in the Irish St Leger, a race Vintage Crop won in 1993 en route to his Cup victory and again in 1994, in mid-September is on the cards after his win at the Curragh.

"He has not been away at all this year and this was his first time on a racecourse. That was a slight worry, but we saw how classy he was last year," he said.

O'Brien stated last November Septimus, who was given 57kg for the 2007 Cup, would run in the famous race if he was in 'good shape'.