The 163rd running of the Melbourne Cup shapes up to be another titanic clash of the best staying thoroughbred talent from around the globe.
Once again this year's edition will pit a small number of Australian horses against a wave of international raiders eager to etch their name into history.
Nic Ashman casts his eye over the bumper 24 horse field to reveal his verdict on who will reign supreme in the time-honoured 3200m contest.
1. GOLD TRIP (2)
J: J McDonald / T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace / 58.5kg
Defending champ who came out on top last year two starts after finishing 5th in the Turnbull Stakes.
Won the Turnbull this year, and the last three Aussie Melbourne Cup winners have run in the Turnbull.
Current Odds: $5.50
J: D Oliver / T: Michael Moroney / 56.5kg
Not going well enough, but his best run in Australia was last start and it was the first time he got out to a staying distance.
Improver?.
Current Odds: $51.00
J: Mark Zahra / T: M & S Freedman / 56.5kg
Caulfield Cup winner that hasn’t run a bad race in 2023.
Jockey Mark Zahra chose to ride him over Gold Trip.
Current Odds: $6.00
J: K Matsuyama / T: Tatsuya Yoshioka / 55.5kg
Beaten comfortably in the Caulfield Cup when first-up, but he's a second-up speicalist [4:2-10].
Watch for improvement
Current Odds: $19.00
J: Ryan Moore / T: William Mullins / 55kg
Irish raider who won a 2816m race by 7.5L during the Royal Ascot carnival. \
Hasn’t raced since August and yet to win in 3 first-up runs.
Current Odds: $3.90
J: J Moreira / T: Chris Waller / 53.5kg
Huge run in the Turnbull Stakes and then bombed the start and charged home in the Caulfield Cup.
Flemington specialist, weighted to win and trained by grand final specialist, Chris Waller.
Current Odds: $10.00
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J: Zac Puton / T: William Mullins / 53kg
Ebor Hcp winner and that race has proven a good guide for more than a decade.
Hasn't missed a top 2 finish in 7 starts on dry tracks.
Current Odds: $16.00
J: John Allen / T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace / 53kg
Sat on a hot tempo and was gutsy in Caulfield Cup.
He's missed a place just once in 6 starts this track.
The stable won this race last year.
Current Odds: $51
J: W Egan / T: Danny O'Brien / 53kg
The 2019 Melbourne Cup winner who has returned to form recently, having run 2nd in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes as well as the Moonee Valley Gold Cup at his past two runs.
Current Odds: $22.50
J: M Dee / T: Kris Lees / 52kg
Last start winner of the Moonee Valley Gold Cup and wears the colours of Lloyd Williams, who has won more Melbourne Cups (7) than any owner on the planet.
Current Odds: $21.00
J: K McEvoy / T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace / 51.5kg
Good run in the 2020 Meblourne Cup, then sidelined through injury for 3 years.
Returned this Spring and ran a bottler in the Geelong Cup.
Drops in weight, won 4th-up previously and Kerrin McEvoy knows how to win the race having won 3 Cups.
Current Odds: $34.00
J: D Stackhouse / T: Phillip Stokes / 51.5kg
Needs racing under the belt to get fit each campaign.
Now five runs in, he has won 5 from 10 when 5th-up or deeper in a preperation.
Proven at the trip.
Current Odds: $81.00
J: Dylan Gibbons / T: Joseph O'Brien / 51.5kg
Beaten comfortably in the Caulfield Cup and although he's won at the distance, does appear to be up against it .
Current Odds: $91.00
J: Beau Mertens / T: Chris Waller / 51.5kg
Never won on a dry track.
Best to drink the Sheraz and not bet on it.
Current Odds: $101.00
J: Craig Williams / T: M Price & M Kent / 51kg
Has some ability but all her form is on wet tracks.
Hard to form a conclusion.
Perhaps one for the exotic players.
Current Odds: $26.00
J: R Du Plessis / T: C Waller / 51kg
Her sectional times suggest this is a stamina horse.
It's no surprise her best run since arriving in Australia was last start at her first go beyond 2000m.
Might improve sharply out to 3200m.
Current Odds: $101.00
J: Rachel King / T: G Waterhouse & A Bott / 51kg
Won the Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup, Group 2 Herbert Power at last three starts and was close up at Group 1 level in the Metropolitan Handicap.
Hall OF Famer Gai Waterhouse trains.
Current Odds: $31.00
J: Jye McNeil / T: G Waterhouse & A Bott / 51kg
Can easily turn the 2L defeat behind Future History in The Bart Cummings around, given he drops 7kg.
Waterhouse trains, Lloyd Williams owns. Tick, Tick.
Current Odds: $41.00
J: C Newitt / T: Liam Howley / 51kg
Huge run in The Bart Cummings when he had no luck and only beaten 3.6L
Poor last start at Geelong but the key is Flemington. He loves this track.
Current Odds: $101.00
J: Jamie Kah / T: C Waller / 50.5kg
One start in Australia and flew home in the Geelong Cup when first-up.
Unbeaten second-up and trained by the grand-final specialist Chris Waller.
Current Odds: $26
J: H Doyle / T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace / 50kg
Won The Bart Cummings to qualify for this.
The stable are stamina experts and gets in with light weight.
Forgotten horse.
Current Odds: $21.00
J: Teo Nugent / T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace / 50kg
Won the Bendigo Cup and backs up.
The stable followed this recipe last year with High Emocean and she ran 3rd in the Cup at huge odds.
History repeating? .
Current Odds: $71.00
J: Zac Llloyd / T: K Lees / 50kg
The last horse to qualify for this year's race through The Archer on Saturday.
Lacks the class, but has the perfect set-up to run to his peak.
Top 5 chance.
Current Odds: $51.00
J: Ben Thompson / T: Matthew Smith / 50kg
3200m specialist (6:1-2-1) but typically races in far easier contests than this.
Highly unlikely to trouble these.
Current Odds: $101.00
1st Without A Fight
2nd Soulcombe
3rd Ashrun
4th Magical Lagoon
There are loads of Melbourne Cup Tips from Pro Punters and Media Experts at theGreatTipOff.com.