Max Presnell’s runner-by-runner guide to the Melbourne Cup

1. Twilight Payment

Trainer: Joseph O’Brien (2 cup wins), Jockey: Jye McNeil (1 cup win), barrier 2
No nine-year-old has won, but few have his credentials. Part-owner (Lloyd Williams) a Melbourne Cup specialist, trainer Joseph O’Brien has already taken two, barrier two, a successful jockey, and he scored last year. Up in weight but opposition not as strong.
Sportsbet odds: $12

2. Incentivise

Trainer: Peter Moody, Jockey: Brett Prebble (1 cup win), barrier 16
Homegrown and outstanding, indicated with by the spectacular Caulfield Cup triumph. Paid the penalty with a weight increase and untried at the distance. Wide barrier a query but not ability. Hardest to beat.
Sportsbet odds: $2.80

3. Spanish Mission

Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: Craig Williams (1 cup win), barrier 14
European who is obviously top class but query here about his well-being (minor setback) make him difficult to assess. Three unplaced efforts over the distance. Not for mine.
Sportsbet odds: $10

Verry Elleegant is back for a second crack at the race that stops the nation.Credit:Getty Images

4. Verry Elleegant

Trainer: Chris Waller, Jockey: James McDonald, barrier 19
Outstanding mare and very strong last year finishing seventh. Best in the wet but handicap under 57kg is a hurdle, plus a different campaign this year and wide gate (19). She’ll give you a thrill if eyeballing with the leaders in the straight.
Sportsbet odds: $15

5. Explosive Jack

Trainers: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Jockey: John Allen, barrier 4
Hardly lived up to his name in the Caulfield Cup last start, but back on firmer ground could help. Form last season respectable but class tested here.
Sportsbet odds: $35

The Chosen One ran fourth in last year’s Melbourne Cup.Credit:Getty Images

6. The Chosen One

Trainers: Murray Barker and Andrew Forsman, Jockey: Damian Lane, barrier 5
Went so badly in the Caulfield Cup, beaten 10 lengths, he’s hard to recommend. Murray Baker, a co trainer, is most astute and could bring him back to his best, seen in the corresponding race last year.
Sportsbet odds: $41

7. Delphi

Trainers: Anthony and Sam Freedman, Jockey: Damien Oliver (3 cup wins), barrier 3
Promised to be a top contender before going into reverse at the turn in the Caulfield Cup. Previously won the Herbert Power and considering the five-year-old has only had 10 starts he could improve sharply. Damien Oliver navigating is a plus.
Sportsbet odds: $19

Delphi disappointed in the Caulfield Cup.Credit:Racing Photos

8. Ocean Billy

Trainer: Chris Waller, Jockey: Damien Thornton, barrier 13
A winner over the distance in New Zealand and only recently taken over by Chris Waller. Battled on in the Caulfield Cup after wide running. Acceleration could be lacking against this opposition.
Sportsbet odds: $67

9. Selino

Trainer: Chris Waller, Jockey: Ron Stewart, barrier 24
Dour stayer with a Sydney Cup (3200 metres) to his credit. May not have handled soft track in Caulfield Cup. Some form lines catch the eye but not good enough here.
Sportsbet odds: $61

Johnny Get Angry takes last year’s Victoria Derby at Flemington.Credit:Racing Photos

10. Johnny Get Angry

Trainer: Denis Pagan, Jockey: Lachie King, barrier 22
Won the Victoria Derby last year but downed a long, long way in the Geelong Cup last start following a 29-length defeat previously. Favoured to run last.
Sportsbet odds: $101

11. Knights Order

Trainers: Gai Waterhouse (1 cup win) and Adrian Bott, Jockey: Daniel Stackhouse, barrier 9
Brisbane Cup winner over the distance. Led but wilted quickly in Saturday’s Hotham at Flemington. Promises to be in front going past the winning post the first time.
Sportsbet odds: $101

12. Persan

Trainers: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Jockey: Luke Currie, barrier 11
Strong Melbourne Cup trial in the Caulfield Cup and did well when fifth in the Big One last year. More mature now and top-five prospect.
Sportsbet odds: $27

13. Carif

Trainers: Peter and Paul Snowden, Jockey: Blaike McDougall, barrier 11
Carries the colours made famous by Dato Tan Chin Nam and Bart Cummings. Considering his dismal effort last start he will end closer to the rear than front.
Sportsbet odds: $151

Rachel King will ride in the Melbourne Cup for the first time on Tuesday.Credit:Getty Images

14. Master of Wine

Trainers: Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, Jockey: Fred Kersley, barrier 6
Better than his Caulfield Cup effort indicates. Began slow and ended in worst section of the track. Will wear a tongue tie for the first time but difficult to get into the top 10.
Sportsbet odds: $91

15. Pondus

Trainer: Robert Hickmott (2 cup wins), Jockey: Rachel King, barrier 1
Another European with the Lloyd Williams connection. Improvement needed on his last-start Moonee Valley Cup effort but he should get a sweet run from the one gate with Rachel King navigating.
Sportsbet odds: $23

Grand Promenade will be trying to give Kerrin McEvoy a fourth Melbourne Cup.Credit:Getty Images

16. Grand Promenade

Trainers: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy (3 cup wins), barrier 21
Promising type who has looked good in weaker company. Won three out of five at Flemington and 21 barrier isn’t perfect but Kerrin McEvoy pilots the Melbourne Cup with aplomb.
Sportsbet odds: $15

17. Miami Bound

Trainer: Danny O’Brien (1 cup win), Jockey: Patrick Moloney, barrier 17
At best on soft but has the benefit of trainer Danny O’Brien, accomplished in what is required to win a Melbourne Cup. Placed at the distance but class deficit the problem.
Sportsbet odds: $151

18. Port Guillame

Trainers: Ben and JD Hayes, Jockey: Harry Coffey, barrier 23
Another Euro-bred yet to adapt to Australian conditions. Only had 10 starts so could get better but not enough to figure here.
Sportsbet odds: $151

19. She’s Ideel

Trainer: Bjorn Baker, Jockey: Craig Newitt, barrier 20
Reasonable effort in the Caulfield Cup and has good acceleration. With the breaks in running she could give a sight but the 20 gate is negative.
Sportsbet odds: $101

20. Future Score

Trainer: Matthew Cumani, Jockey: Dean Yendall, barrier 15
Does a lot of battling – usually at a considerable distance behind the placegetters. Has won at Flemington but not against this company.
Sportsbet odds: $151

Tralee Rose will be carrying the hopes of Warrnambool.Credit:Getty

21. Tralee Rose

Trainer: Symon Wilde, Jockey: Dean Holland, barrier 12
Bred at Cambridge Stud which has produced seven Melbourne Cup winners. Recent efforts strong in weaker company but has scope for improvement considering 15 starts.
Sportsbet odds: $16

22. Floating Artist

Trainers: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Jockey: Teodore Nugent, barrier 10
Should have won the Moonee Valley Cup last start and looks set for a bold showing under the flyweight (50kg). Experienced jockeys are an advantage in Melbourne Cups and his rider Teodore Nugent lacks the experience but the gelding is expected to race on the pace out of harm’s way.
Sportsbet odds: $14

23. Great House

Trainer: Chris Waller, Jockey: Michael Dee, barrier 7
Strong chance if he can back up after Saturday’s Hotham success under 57.5kg. Had a demanding campaign but has a good turn of hoof against many who are plodders. With only 50kg ballast he is a strong chance.
Sportsbet odds: $21

24. Sir Lucan

Trainers: Gai Waterhouse (1 cup win), Jockey: Glen Boss (3 cup wins), barrier 18
Being a northern hemisphere four-year-old he is young and green and probably very good. Veteran jockey Glen Boss makes up for his lack of experience and reckons his chance depends on how the colt handles the Flemington atmosphere before the race.
Sportsbet odds: $23

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