Septimus: Multiple winner of Group races in the UK & Ireland. He stays two miles plus and, although he has never raced below Group 3 level he has the class to be an effective weight carrier. (The Melbourne Cup has Group 1 status but is still a handicap, so Septimus has to concede in excess of 7lb to the rest). The colt handles all types of ground and, as he likes to track the pace, he has a fair draw in stall 10. His trainer, Aidan O'Brien, is chasing the record 25 Group 1 winners in a season and currently stands three short of the accolade. Septimus is his best hope of adding to the tally, as the likelihood of a solid pace will help the son of the leading sire Motjeu to utilise his stamina. Really fast ground would not be ideal for the four-year-old, though. Aidan O'Brien will walk the course the morning of the race before confirming Septimus will run.
Master O'Reilly: An elder statesman of the field, he won the Caulfield Cup in 2007 before finishing eight behind Efficient in this race last year. That may be as good as he is and, as this season's form is uninspiring, he looks vulnerable on these terms.
Honolulu: Despite being behind both Yeats and Septimus in the Ballydoyle pecking order of stayers, Honolulu has a touch of class about him and has finished in the money in 8 of his 11 career starts - most notably when winning the Group 2 Doncaster Cup over 2m 4f in September. The drop back to two miles won't be a problem but he has a terrible draw and will need to work very hard to stay with the pace from stall 24. He has an awkward head carriage which gives the impression that he is not the most genuine of performers and has occasionally lacked a turn of foot near the finish.
C'Est La Guerre: Purchased by Lloyd Williams (owner of three previous Melbourne Cup winners, including last year's victor Efficient) after his win in the New Zealand Derby in March, this striking colt is expected to be suited by the likely frenetic tempo and his connections think the two mile trip will not be a problem. Had just over seven lengths to spare over Nom Du Jeu at Ellerslie but has failed to show the same sparkle in four subsequent starts. He appears to need soft ground to be at his best.
Nom Du Jeu: Fourth in the New Zealand Derby before winning the Australian version at Randwick in April, he has been consistent at the highest level of competition this season. He will be having his fourth run since mid September, so assuming he has taken the exertions in his stride, he arrives hardened for a battle. This will be his first try beyond 1m-4f but his close second in the Caulfield Cup reads well (Mad Rush, a big gamble on the UK betting exchanges, was three-parts of a length behind. They meet on the same terms at Flemington.) His sire Montjeu is an influence for soft ground, so a smattering of rain will help.
Yellowstone (Non Runner):
Zipping: Another in the ownership of Lloyd Williams, this fellow has finished fourth in the last two renewals of the Melboune Cup. He is versatile regarding the ground and enjoyed an excellent preparation when second in the Cox Plate 10 days ago. A solid contender with valid claims to at least make the frame, if he gets the breaks in running this time.
Mad Rush: A highly consistent type that has made good progress from being a useful handicapper to finishing third in a Group 2 in France. He was made favourite for the Ebor at York after winning the Old Newton Cup at Haydock in July. But an enforced restructuring of plans due to the UK weather led him to an honourable defeat at Deauville instead. He has acclimatised well since arriving in Australia and the step up in trip could help him better his Caulfield Cup fourth. His trainer excels with stayers and is noted for exploiting the handicapping system when he has a 'live one'.
Ice Chariot: Anther contender that has been kept busy in the build up to the big day. All the evidence suggests he will find a few too good again, though.
Viewed: A similar profile to Ice Chariot and has a bit to find. He did win the Brisbane Cup on heavy ground in June, so has a feasible chance of causing an upset if he were to improve for the step up in distance. A punter's choice as an outsider, nevertheless.
Littorio: Had Master O'Reilly and Zipping in behind him when winning the Patinack Turnbull Stakes here at the start of October, so can obviously turn of the style when required. However, he is much worse off at the weights now and only an effort from the very top drawer from him will suffice.
Bauer: His win in the Geelong Cup has helped justify Luca Cumani's decision to send both Bauer and Mad Rush to contest this year's renewal. However, the latter has the more progressive profile and it has to be a significant pointer that Damian Oliver prefers to ride the Earl Mack-owned colt on the big day.
Boundless: Winner of the New Zealand Oaks before finishing second in the Australian version so has already paid her way this season. Still, she has found life tough against the colts since then and, as her position down the field in the Caulfield Cup suggests, she has a bit to find with the best of these. Gallopin: Had Ice Chariot two and half lengths adrift when winning a Group 2 at Moonee Valley 10 days ago so enjoyed a perfect pre-race. This is an awful lot tougher and his nightmare draw in stall 21 leaves him in no man's land from the start.
Guyno Steadily finding his level again this season but appears to have a lot to find if he is going to get involved in the thick of the action.
Zarita (Non Runner):
Newport: Won a group 1 Handicap at Randwick at the start of last month, so is respected on that form. Even so, this longer trip, stiffer company and a modest draw are good reasons to look elsewhere.
Profound Beauty: Underestimate Dermot Weld at your peril. While others have sang in the limelight, the Irishman has quietly prepared this classy filly for another crack at the race he famously won with Media Puzzle in 2002. Indeed, Profound Beauty is set to race from a similar low weight and will have the added bonus of triple Melbourne Cup hero Glen Boss doing the steering. Judging from track reports, Boss reckons the Danehill filly has the speed to lay up with the pace from stall 2, which will give her every chance of maintaining a prominent position until stamina becomes an issue. She is unproven at the distance but her last two outings have created the impression she will not be found out for the want of trying.
Red Lord: Has won at Flemington and stays the trip well enough. But has a bit to prove with the likes of Zipping and Newport so looks a risky proposition.
Varevees: French raider whose moment of glory came when outgunning Getaway in a Group 3 at Longchamp last September. This season's form has not been up to the same standard and, having finished well down the field behind Mad Rush at Deauville last time out; it is hard to envisage her reversing the form with Luca Cumani's main contender. Her ability to see out the trip is also negated somewhat by her wide draw.
Prize Lady: Her form is modest in comparison to those at the head of the betting and with doubts about her getting the trip she is not hard to overlook.
Alessandro Volta: Won the Lingfield Derby trail before finishing a very respectable sixth in the main event at Epsom. Things simply haven't worked out for him since then and the fitting of blinkers for the first time is hardly an inspiring confidence booster. He faces a huge test as the only thee-year-old in the line. Still, it is worth noting he gets in here off an almost insultingly low weight for a horse of his ability - if only he would consent to show it on the track.
Barbaricus: Nothing wrong with his recent form and, considering he was beaten less than a length in the Caulfield Cup, he has to be shortlist material on these terms. The further step up in distance is the big worry, though, as he seemed to level out near the finish both at Caulfield and at Flemington at the weekend. His sire is a definite influence for speed, so his ability to truly get two miles is in the lap of the gods.
Moatize: Delivered on the promise of his second to Bauer in Geelong Cup by winning a Group 3 at Flemington Festival the weekend. Again, he is at the right end of the weights and would be dangerous to underestimate in his current frame of mind. This is also a further step up in class as well as distance, though. And he may have bitten off more than he can chew. Clare Lindop has experience of riding in this race, so don't let a female jockey put you off. Champion jockey in South Australia in 2004/05, Lindop is one of the best riders on the scene down under.
Summary: Nom Du Jeu has been is getting better with every run and is fancied to reverse Australian Derby form with C'Est La Guerre. The Caulfield Cup form looks solid and it would be no surprise to see Mad Rush also improve for the step up to two miles, while Barbaricus has a featherweight and has place claims if his stamina holds out. Similar comments apply to Profound Beauty, who looks to have been primed for the run of her life.
They can scrap it out for the minor honours. Doubts about the participation of Septimus are obviously disconcerting. But it may be a good policy to have a saver on his class prevailing if he gets the green light to run.
You can follow Dave Ord's live Melbourne Cup blog throughout the night, leading up to the big race at 0400 GMT
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