The TAB has halved the Melbourne Cup quote on The Offer after the Gai Waterhouse-trained stayer took out Wednesday’s Bendigo Cup.

The Offer produced a strong staying performance in the 2400 metre feature, resulting in the TAB firming him from $81 to $41 in all-in Melbourne Cup betting.

Ridden by Michael Walker, The Offer ($7.50) sat several pairs off the lead before unleashing in the straight and proving too tough in the run to the line to win by three quarters of a length.

The lightly-race Divan ($7.50) was second with Kirramosa ($5.50) third, just under a length behind the winner.

The Offer is safely in the Melbourne Cup field at number 15 on the order of entry and Waterhouse confirmed he would continue on to Flemington.

The Offer carried 59kg topweight at Bendigo and enjoys a nice weight drop to 54kg in the Melbourne Cup.

The Offer is already a winner over the 3200 metres of the Melbourne Cup distance, having won last year’s Sydney Cup.