Millions of punters will today flock to their local pub or quickly pull up a betting app on their smartphones, hoping to score office bragging rights by picking the Melbourne Cup winner.
And in what is widely considered to be one of the most open races in recent memory, picking that winner from the field of 23 horses is proving to be extremely difficult.
So to help before you begin splurging your cash, check out Daily Mail Australia’s comprehensive form guide with all you need to know before the 2017 Melbourne Cup jumps at 3pm.
Picking one of the 23 best stayers the world has to offer on Cup day is tough. These women are doing their best at a previous meeting in Melbourne
One of this year’s Cup favourites Humidor (left) is narrowly beaten by champion mare Winx in the Cox Plate last month
NUMBER – NAME – BARRIER – APPROX. ODDS
1 – HARTNELL (12) – $26
The top weight comes into the 2017 Melbourne Cup in far less impressive form than when he managed to finish third as the favourite last year. Proven at the distance and with experienced jockey Damien Lane on board, he is a tasty each-way bet at $26.
2 – ALMANDIN (14) – $9.50
Last year’s winner again looks to be one of the top chances. Finishing ninth last start behind a number of other runners in this year’s Cup is of some concern, but it will be far more comfortable over 3200m. Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori has the ride and will be looking to win his first Cup with the Lloyd Williams-owned horse.
3 – HUMIDOR (13) – $11
One of the top chances in the race, he finished a gallant second to superstar Winx less than a fortnight ago in the Cox Plate. A similar effort on Tuesday may just see him be the one to cross the finish line first in the race that stops a nation.
4- TIBERIAN (23) – $26
The French stayer comes into the race in good form having won four out of his past five starts, but is one of the big unknowns of the field. Having not run a race in Australia since stepping off the plane, he is trying to emulate 1993 winner Vintage Crop with that approach. Starting from the outside barrier 23 makes it tough.
5 – MARMELO (16) – $8
Set to jump as favourite after a strong performance in the Caulfield Cup, has drawn a decent barrier and has top jockey Hugh Bowman on board. Carrying a decent weight at 55 kilograms, he looks sure to figure in the finish.
6 – RED CARDINAL (24) – $17
One of the top chances out of Germany, last year’s winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy will be looking to go back-to-back. But jumping from the outside in barrier 24 and without having run in Australia, there are big question marks over his hopes.
7 -JOHANNES VERMEER (3) – $10
Legendary trainer Aidan O’Brien has never won Australia’s biggest race in multiple attempts but this stallion gives him a great chance in 2017. Jumping from the inside in barrier 3 and his impressive finish when running third in the Caulfield Cup mean it’s a serious chance, but staying the distance is a worry.
8 – BONDI BEACH (1) – $71
Now a six-year-old, the horse named after Sydney’s world famous beach will be looking for an upset win in his third attempt at the Melbourne Cup. Like 2015’s blowout winner Prince of Penzance, he draws the inside barrier but his previous Cup performances makes a win seem unlikely.
9 – MAX DYNAMITE (2) – $16
Ran well in 2015 when he was a close second to Prince of Penzance, but its form this campaign is not of the same quality. A grandson of Monsun, which has sired three of the four Cup winners, but at eight years old it will have to beat the odds to make history on Tuesday.
10 – VENTURA STORM (6) – $34
A poor run in the Caulfield Cup saw Ventura Storm’s odds balloon, with punters worried he won’t be able to stay the 3200m distance. Makybe Diva’s jockey Glen Boss has the ride but will need to produce something special to win his fourth Melbourne Cup.
11 – WHO SHOT THEBARMAN – SCRATCHED
12 – WICKLOW BRAVE (8) – $51
The Irish nine-year-old is proven at the distance but his form isn’t what it was last year when he was a top fancy. Has finished fourth in three of his past four races so might be one to consider for those putting on a first four.
13 – BIG DUKE (5) – $21
Strong form, an inside barrier, a proven stayer and the combination of top trainer Darren Weir and jockey Brenton Avdulla mean Big Duke is one to watch. At $21 it’s juicy odds considering many leading punters rate it their top chance.
14 – US ARMY RANGER (22) – $61
One of the best names in the race will need a lot to go right if he is to challenge. He is a genuine stayer but is jumping from a wide gate and has underwhelming recent form, so try and slip this one back if you pick it in the sweep.
15 – BOOM TIME (9) – $31
Unexpectedly won the Caulfield Cup so is in great form and at odds of close to $31 is one to consider. Like many others the biggest query is about the distance, however legendary trainer David Hayes is sure to have him cherry ripe.
16 – GALLANTE (18) – $81
Another of Lloyd Williams’ six runners in the race, the owner will be licking his lips at the forecast of rain for this huge outsider. Loves the wet but will need to overcome history by becoming the first horse to ever win from barrier 18.
17 – LIBRAN (7) – $51
A strong place chance, his recent run in the Moonee Valley Cup caught the attention of many punters. But while his second place there was impressive, training genius Chris Waller will need to produce something special.
18 – NAKEETA (19) – $26
This U.K stayer has been in solid recent form and drops down in weight on arrival Down Under which is a plus. Hasn’t run since landing in Australia and an awkward barrier makes things difficult, but he has overcome wide gates to perform well at all his recent starts, so $26 is decent odds.
19 – SINGLE GAZE (11) – $34
Ran second in the Caulfield Cup and is a good chance to put in a similar performance here. Will be one of only two mares in the race on Tuesday and is one to consider for those betting on multiples. Sure to carry a lot of bets from those backing the Cup’s only female jockey in Kathy O’Hara.
20 – WALL OF FIRE (15) – $12
The fifth favourite in the race will be in good hands with top jockey Craig Williams on board. At a light weight and with a strong performance in his previous start, the Irish stallion appears likely to be flying down the straight at the end.
21 – THOMAS HOBSON (21) – $20
Having run at up to 4000m in the U.K it definitely has the distance in it, which is a major plus. Sydney-based jockey Joao ‘The Magic Man’ Moreira has the ride and will be going to the back in an effort to out-stay his rivals.
22 – REKINDLING (4) – $15
Another hope from the camp of Lloyd Williams, it has been given a great barrier and light weight for The Cup. Jockey Corey Brown sought out the ride so clearly believes in its abilities – definitely one to watch.
23 – AMELIE’S STAR (10) – $21
The other mare alongside Single Gaze in the race also carries a light weight at just 51kgs, but has patchy recent form. A strong finisher who is another trained by Darren Weir, she is one to look at.
24 – CISMONTAINE (17) – $61
Won in the Lexus Stakes on the weekend to secure the final spot in the race, but that was only over 2500m. Will carry the lightest weight in the race and may again try to lead all the way. A big outsider, but trainer Gai Waterhouse always has her horses super fit.
Almandin (pictured), trained by Robert Hickmott and ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, saluted in 2016 for owner Lloyd Williams
Australia’s greatest horse race runs at Flemington on Tuesday. Pictured, punters watch Almandin win the 2016 Melbourne Cup
Excited punters flood into the world famous Flemington race course to get the best spot for the 2017 Melbourne Cup
THE BOOKIES’ TOP PICKS
A punter studies the form guide at a previous Melbourne Cup Carnival meeting
Jared Timms – Neds Bookmakers
#1 Red Cardinal
There are several reasons why Red Cardinal looms as a potential Melbourne Cup winner. He is trained by Andreas Wohler, who prepared Protectionist to win the Melbourne Cup in 2014. This horse has only had three starts in 2017 and his form has been outstanding – He’s won two races at the two-mile distance of the Melbourne Cup in Germany and the United States.
Track conditions vary greatly in those two countries, so that suggests that Red Cardinal is capable of adapting to his surroundings extremely well. He’ll be ridden by 2016 Melbourne Cup winner Kerrin McEvoy, who is in a rare vein of form himself and who has experienced plenty of top-level success already this spring. With the appropriate luck in running, Red Cardinal will be extremely difficult to beat and boasts great odds.
#2 Humidor
Humidor gave Winx the biggest scare of her undefeated streak in the Cox Plate and I simply cannot ignore that run. Humidor tends to improve with a lot of racing under his belt and he will contest the Melbourne Cup as seventh point-of-call since August.
The big question mark hovers over whether or not he will race well at two miles – a distance he is yet to see, but his breeding, particularly on his maternal side generally produces horses that perform well at longer trips. Humidor’s ability to settle in running and his trademark late sprint suggests that he can be right in the finish of the Melbourne Cup.
#3 Marmelo
Marmelo is a horse that has performed extremely well in big European races this year and is also proven at the distance of the Melbourne Cup – perhaps the most important form indicator for the race. Marmelo was faced with a wall of horses when he rounded onto the final straight in the Caulfield Cup, but he flew home after finding clear running and showed all the signs of a horse that will be much better at a longer distance.
As horses progress further into their campaigns, they tend to improve and I am expecting Marmelo to carry the most improvement into the Melbourne Cup. The Flemington track is big and wide and that should suit this horse’s running style, while champion jockey Hugh Bowman is a big bonus to any horse’s chances and Marmelo will have that luxury on Tuesday afternoon.
#4 Tiberian
French horse Tiberian is gunning for a third-consecutive race win when he takes his place in the Melbourne Cup field. Tiberian is a horse that simply does not know how to run a bad race and he was strong to the line in two talent-rich races in France, both contested at 2500m in August. This is a horse that is yet to step out to 3200m this season, but he has performed well at the distance previously and there is nothing to say that he won’t again in the Melbourne Cup.
Tiberian has been ridden by Olivier Peslier in each of his five races this year and the French jockey will fly to Australia to take the ride again; a sign that the horse’s camp is confident that he will run well and perhaps even win the Melbourne Cup. I think that he is over the odds at $31 and well and truly worth consideration at that price, as an each-way option.
Thomas Hackett – Ladbrokes
#1 Marmelo
His form in Europe is nothing short of outstanding and he won the Prix Kergorlay in France, which has been a strong form reference for the Melbourne Cup in the past.
He ran the best closing sectionals in the Caulfield Cup and will be better suited over 3200 metres and he has the benefit of Hugh Bowman in the saddle.
#2 Wall Of Fire
He made his Australian racing debut with a fast-finishing second in the Herbert Power Stakes and the form coming out of that race has been strong. He has the turn-of-foot at the end of a strong staying test that is good enough to win a Melbourne Cup.
#3 Big Duke
He has been racing extremely well this preparation and is from the stable of master trainer Darren Weir. He did not have a great deal of luck when he was beaten in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup last start. Has a similar profile to 2015 Melbourne Cup winner Prince Of Penzance
#4 Tiberian
Owners Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock almost won the Melbourne Cup with Heartbreak City 12 months ago. He heads to Australia on the back of a career best performance in the Grand Prix Deauville in France. He will have no problems running out a strong 3200 metres.
AGE
Three-year-old horses tend not to be at their peak, while those aged seven and over are usually no match for their younger rivals.
‘Historically, four and five-year-old horses have been the strongest Melbourne Cup competitors,’ Jared Timms from Neds Bookmakers said ahead of Tuesday’s race.
‘But half a dozen six-year-olds have won the race throughout the past decade, including Prince Of Penzance and Almandin.’
Four and five-year-olds have provided more than half of all Cup winners, with 43 and 44 respectively.
WEIGHTS
Only three horses have carried more than 56 kilograms to victory since 1983.
Protectionist got home with 56.5kg in 2014, Makybe Diva won one of her three Cups carrying 58kg in 2005 and Jeune galloped to victory with 56.5kg in 1994.
Since 1996 the average weight carried by the winner has been just over 53.5kg.
So horses with around 53-55kg are probably the ones to look out for if you want to be cheering loudest at the finish on Tuesday.
This year they include Marmelo, Red Cardinal, Johannes Vermeer, Bondi Beach, Max Dynamite, Ventura Storm, Wicklow Brave and Big Duke.
Several other less-fancied horses will carry 53kg or less in the big race.
Hartnell, Almandin and Humidor will run with too much weight to win, if the record books are anything to go by.
Wet and windy conditions are forecast to hit Flemington racecourse on Tuesday adding an extra dimension to the race
Rachael Finch is pictured posing with the Melbourne Cup during the Carnival Launch last Tuesday
Daily Mail Australia can reveal what to look for when selecting your horse on Tuesday in the ‘race that stops a nation’ (2016 race pictured)
TRAINERS
International trainers have had plenty of recent success in the Cup.
Irishman Dermot Weld the first overseas raider to conquer with Vintage Crop in 1993 and later Media Puzzle in 2002.
Japanese trainer Katsuhiko Sumii had the 2006 winner Delta Blues, while Frenchman Alain de Royer Dupre became the 150th winner of the Cup with Americain in 2010.
Compatriot Mikel Dezangles followed the next year with Dunaden and the German-trained stayer Protectionist, prepared by Andreas Wohler, scored in 2014.
JOCKEYS
Glen Boss (riding Ventura Storm this year) leads present day jockeys, saluting on Makybe Diva in 2003, 2004 and 2005, along with Damien Oliver (suspended) who scored in 1995, 2002 and 2013.
Kerrin McEvoy, who will be on board -fancied Irish horse Red Cardinal, has ridden two Cup winners.
Michelle Payne is the only female jockey to have won the race, taking Prince of Penzance to victory in 2015.
Kathy O’Hara is the only woman to ride in this year’s race. She is feeling confident ahead of her first Cup and happy that people are embracing Single Gaze.
‘Never say never with this horse because you can’t discount anything with her. She’s always underrated. She’s always been an underdog,’ O’Hara said.
ADVICE FROM THE BOOKIES
Jared Timms from Neds has overlooked this year’s two favourites and says there are horses at very healthy odds which stand every chance.
‘The Cup offers a rare opportunity to take advantage of some truly big odds as the bookies scramble to line up the form and conditioning of horses from all corners of the globe,’ he said.
Mr Timms believes Andreas Wohler trained Red Cardinal is primed to take home this year’s Cup.
‘This horse has only had three starts in 2017 and his form has been outstanding,’ he said.
‘He’s won two races at the two-mile distance of the Melbourne Cup in Germany and the United States.
‘Track conditions vary greatly in those two countries, so that suggests that Red Cardinal is capable of adapting to his surroundings extremely well.
BEWARE THE OUTSIDER
Since 1983, just five outright favourites have won: Fiorente ($7) in 2013, Makybe Diva ($4.50) in 2005 and at $3.50 in 2004, Jezabeel ($7) in 1998, Might And Power ($4.50) in 1997 and Let’s Elope ($4) in 1991.
Two equal favourites – Kingston Rule ($8) in 1990 and Empire Rose ($6) in 1988 – have scored in the same period.
Since the Cup was first run in 1861, four horses have won at odds of 100-1: The Pearl (1871), Wotan (1936), Old Rowley (1940) and Prince of Penzance two years ago.
Those at big odds to be wary of this year include Cismontane, Single Gaze, Wicklow Brave and Ventura Storm.
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.