Melbourne Cup 2017: Everything you need to know

The Melbourne Cup will attract a crowd of 100,000 to Flemington and hundreds of millions of viewers around the globe.

Last year’s winner Almandin has been nudged out of favouritism by English raider Marmelo, but there are plenty of challengers.

With the race that stops a nation once again upon us, here’s everything you need to know about the big day.

The 2017 Emirates Melbourne Cup will be at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday November 7. 

The best staying horses the world has to offer will be behind the barrier at 3pm EST. 

The 2017 Emirates Melbourne Cup will be at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday. 2015 winning jockey Michelle Payne is seen delivering the trophy ahead of last year’s race

PRIZE MONEY 

This year’s Melbourne Cup offers a total prize pool of a whopping $6.2 million. 

First place is worth $3.6 million – of which the winning jockey will receive five per cent.

Last year, domestic wagering turnover on the 2016 Melbourne Cup Carnival exceeded $600 million for the first time. 

FAVOURITES

The favourite for the Cup is five-year-old stallion Marmelo, who has shortened to $8 with most bookmakers. 

Last year’s winner Almandin, which now has Italian jockey Frankie Dettori in the saddle after Damien Oliver was suspended, is not far behind at $9.50. 

Darren Weir-trained Humidor, the first runner since 2008 to run in the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup in the same year, has also been well backed. 

Blake Shinn riding Humidor placed second in Race 9 at the Ladbrokes Cox Plate on October 28

Australia’s greatest horse race runs at Flemington on Tuesday. Pictured, punters watch Almandin win the 2016 Melbourne Cup 

WEATHER 

If you’re heading to the track, possibly the hottest tip of the day is to bring along an umbrella or a poncho.

The public holiday in Melbourne will reach a top of 16 degrees and get off to a drizzly start, but it should be dry skies by 3pm just in time for the big race.

The bureau predicts a partly cloudy day, with a high chance of showers in the morning, becoming less likely during the afternoon before a mostly dry evening. 

‘It will be a cool Cup Day and will probably be the coldest since 2006,’ senior forecaster Rod Dickson said.  

Possibly the hottest tip of the day is to bring along an umbrella or a poncho, with showers expected

Tuesday’s Cup Day public holiday will reach a top of 16 degrees and get off to a rainy start

FASHION

Fashionistas say this spring racing season is all about pastel tones and 70s-­inspired vibes for the ladies. 

Stylist Kate Gaskin recommends feminine tones of citrus, pale pink and pale blue. And, of course, the signature colour of the season, red.

Australia fashion sensation Jennifer Hawkins told Marie Claire that for people attending the races who haven’t been before, the best advice she has is to dress for your personality. 

‘There’s lots of fancy headwear, fascinators and so many things you can do, but if it’s not you, you’re going to feel awkward on the day,’ she said.

‘I love wide brimmed hats – it doesn’t matter whether they’re in fashion or out – I think they’re stunning and elegant, so I’ll wear one when possible. 

‘I also love veils, I think they’re very fashion-forward and feminine. So I guess it’s about tailoring your look to suit your personality on the day.’

Model Jennifer Hawkins recommends dressing for your personality on Melbourne Cup Day

Punters gather around a statue of Makybe Diva during 2016 Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse

TICKETS 

All tickets must be pre-purchased from Ticketek. You can order over the phone by or visit any Ticketek agency.

Tickets for the event are highly sought after and adults passes start at $70, with a course capacity at around 100,000. 

​More than six million people are also expected watch the race on television or stream it online.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy celebrates winning the Melbourne Cup on Almandin in November 2016

BEGINNERS GUIDE TO PLACING A BET ON CUP DAY 

A spectator checks the form guide at the Melbourne Cup Carnival meeting in 2007

WIN – YOUR HORSE FINISHES FIRST

The easiest way to have a punt on Cup day is picking the horse which you think will be first to the post.

For example, if you put $10 on a runner at $15 odds, you stand to walk away with $150 if luck’s on your side.

PLACE – YOUR HORSE RUNS FIRST, SECOND OR THIRD

If you think your horse has a good chance of running well but might not quite be good enough to win, perhaps you should make a ‘place’ bet.

You’ll then collect money if your horse finishes first, second or third – although the payout will be substantially lower than the win dividend.

EACH WAY – TO WIN AND PLACE

By placing an ‘each way bet’ you stand to collect BOTH the win and place dividend should your horse finish first.

If it runs second or third – you collect the place dividend but will lose the wager you bet on the win.

THE EXOTICS – HIGHER RISK BUT GREATER REWARD 

– QUINELLA

A quinella bet involves picking the two horses you think will finish first and second in any order.

– EXACTA

It’s tough enough picking a winner, but if you think you know which horses will run first AND second in correct order – place an exacta bet for a very healthy return. 

– TRIFECTA

Selecting the first three horses across the line is no easy feat – but if you can pull it off you could walk away with thousands of dollars.

To make things slightly easier, you can ‘box’ your selections – meaning the horses can finish first, second and third in any order. 

This will, however, decrease the percentage of the trifecta dividend you will receive.

– FIRST FOUR  

The only difference between a trifecta and a first four bet is the addition of the fourth place-getter.

Again, you can ‘box’ all four (or as many as you like) so they don’t have to finish in order. 

The more horses you choose to ‘box’ – the lesser percentage of the dividend you will collect.