Keen to see how Flemington's track looks to be shaping up? After a tip? Want to know where to watch the big event?
Here's your preview to tomorrow's Melbourne Cup, complete with a few tips from the office crew and details on how you can tune in to the 'race that stops a nation'.
Race preview by Craig Baker
Lexus Melbourne Cup | Group I | 3200m | 5.00pm
With a 30 degree day forecast for Melbourne tomorrow, I would expect the track to be rated a Good 4 and then upgraded to a Good 3 at some stage during the day.
Tomorrow’s Melbourne Cup certainly has a different look to previous years with the number of international runners considerably down compared to years past. This is mostly due to the new scanning and vetting protocols introduced by the Victorian Racing Club after last year’s running.
The Peter Moody-trained Incentivise is due to start a short favourite and it is very difficult to tip against him. He was a stunning winner of the Caulfield Cup and, while he hasn’t run 3200 metres, it would be a brave person to say he wouldn’t run the trip.
From his wide draw, Brett Prebble will push forward and have him in the first four or five by the time they reach the winning post the first time. From there, he should get an economical run and I am expecting him to be too strong in the straight.
The dangers include, Floating Artist and Grand Promenade.
Looking at the race, I think it’s a good opportunity to take a first four. I would play it like this:
Win – Incentivise, Floating Artist and Grand Promenade
Second, Third and Fourth – The above plus, Twilight Payment, Spanish Mission, Tralee Rose, Persan, Pondus and the Chosen One.
More good things to know about the Melbourne Cup
Where to watch:
Tune into either TAB Trackside TV (SKY channel 62) or TVNZ’s Melbourne Cup special
VRC's new and FREE platform, "Immersive" will allow you to watch the day of racing at Flemington your way - with nine different live camera angles to choose from as well as race replays, live radio from Flemington, 360 degree cameras and more. Watch here on the day
Get amongst:
Tag us via @ellerslieraces to show us how you are celebrating the Melbourne Cup in your bubble and we may just show off your efforts to our friends on social media
See the odds:
Click here to check out the Melbourne Cup field with the TAB
Need some tips?
CEO Paul Wilcox rates:
Grand Promenade
Pukekohe Park general manager, Greg Mitchell, rates:
Incentivise
Wagering manager, Debbie Watson, rates:
Incentivise, then Verry Elleegant and Grand Promenade
While we're no longer racing here at Ellerslie tomorrow, we're still churning out some great Melbourne Cup content in celebration of Australasia's "great race".