All times GMT.
0419: Master O'Reilly by the way was fourth for the second consecutive year.
0416: Really really cracking performance from Crime Scene there, looked for a moment like he might give Godolphin a famous victory. And Mourilyan finished like a train. Basaltico never really got into it and Warringah finished out the back after leading them along for most of the trip. Munsef another who never really got into proceedings at the business end.
0414: Not surprisingly winning trainer Mark Kavanagh and winning jockey Corey Brown both overcome with emotion after a really game victory.
0406: Shocking pulls clear of Crime Scene to win the Melbourne Cup of 2009. Crime Scene ran a blinder in second for Godolphin, as did the fast-finishing Mourilyan, who lands yours truly's each-way punt in third.
0405: Crime Scene and Shocking go clear with a furlong to go.
0405: Warringah still leads turning from home but the pack are waiting to pounce.
0404: Warringah still has it from Roman Emperor at the 1400. Basaltico has plenty to do.
0403: Warringah now leading them along as they pass the winning post first time around.
0402: Off and running in the Melbourne Cup. It's official - Australia has now stopped, for the next few minutes at least. Alcopop midfield on the rails. Warringah is prominent with Crime Scene just off the leading pack.
0400: Loading under way for the Melbourne Cup of 2009. Here we go folks.
0359: Final pre-race mail from Frank Lee in Dubai. He says: "Lord Admiral should take all the beating. Good luck." You too Frank.
0358: Down at the start now, and money continues to come for Alcopop.
0354: Off time less than 10 minutes away and the jockeys are on board now as we prepare for the Melbourne Cup of 2009.
0352: Capecover's jockey by the way is 54 years old - would be the oldest ever to win the Cup.
0348: Looks right now like Alcopop ($5) will go off favourite for the race that stops a nation.
0348: Munsef looking nice and relaxed during the preliminaries - Ian Williams has been fairly bullish about his prospects. Another to consider at a big price anyone?
0346: Just a note to say that our own Ben 'Chewbacca' Linfoot (hair in all the wrong places) went for Alcopop in his pre-race preview. Dare you row in with him?
0344: Viewed has lost favouritism on course - now trading at around $6.
0343: Horses heading for the mounting yard now. Huge crowd as ever on hand at Flemington. Francesca Cumani says this is the time that connections need to keep their horses calm (what about the poor punters Francesca). Says they put ear plugs on Purple Moon to keep him switched off.
0339: Another mail from Dave Ord. To inform me of what Nina's mum Fran is punting on today. She's going for Allez Wonder and Capecover in a $2 sweep. Sounds exotic Fran. Apparently her office in Brisbane had chicken and champagne for lunch and have now been given the afternoon off. Ord, who is now watching Pacquiao/Cotto 24-7 on HBO, has termed it "a disgrace". He should be in Normanton right now.
0336: E-mail in from Darren Frost, who tells us: "Watching at a more suitable time - at work in New Zealand, Each-way for Leica Ding, lovely red and white colours for the mighty Arsenal." Good luck Darren, in fact good luck everybody. Just 25 minutes to off time now, the excitement is palpable. Leica Ding by the way, the bottom horse, currently trading around 16/1 with Sky Bet.
0331: Time to put your money where your mouths are folks - Mourilyan each-way for me. Mail me with your final thoughts.
0330: Basaltico currently paying $32 in the betting locally. Meanwhile the Melbourne Cup has just arrived, from the outback we're told.
0328: Good to see Francesca Cumani on the panel discussing the race now on Australian television - presenter just described her as an "English rose". They cut away to the weighing room where it looks like one of the jocks is setting fire to his gear. Running repairs we're reliably informed. Relief, thought for a minute it was some sort of protest. Imagine stopping the race that stops a nation.
0326: Aussie TV just running a superb preview package ahead of the big race - perfect way to get the excitement at fever pitch. Off time remember is 0400 GMT.
0313: Just under an hour now to the big one at Flemington so we'll put Santa Anita to one side. If it's the race that stops a nation do they stop serving as well? Normally during the race is the best time to order on a particularly busy afternoon (Magnet Cup nostalgia).
0310: No tips from Ord by the way on writing a winning blog. He's watching the NFL on ESPN. How the mighty... Whatever next, a skinny latte? On a serious note the bearded wonder did manage to prop his eyelids open long enough to pen his opening thoughts from Santa Anita. Apparently he's in room 157 (at least it's not 1408). If you'd like to read his verdict so far on LA, here you go.
0306: Great coverage from local TV, now interviewing the jockeys for the big race. Brad Rawiller pleased with Viewed. Glynn Schofield is on Mourilyan, and the pilot says he has "a sticky gate" and "a bit of luck wouldn't go amiss". Kerrin McEvoy on Crime Scene: "First try at this trip, blinkers on, we're hopeful". Dom Tourneur says Alcopop is "looking good". Damien Oliver partners Warringah, who ran in the Ebor for Sir Michael Stoute. He's hopeful the drop in weight will help. Danny Nikolic partners Basaltico for team Cumani, and says: "He's done well since his Geelong Cup run. He's drawn nicely, worked very nicely on Sunday. I'm very happy to be riding him."
0258: Just had another e-mail, not about the lottery but from our man in LA Dave Ord - he describes himself as "drifting in and out of consciousness" but hopefully he'll give me a few handy hints on how to write a winning blog.
0245: Fairly quiet on the e-mail front, but I've just received a message to say I've won £50million on the lottery. All they need is my bank details. Back in a mo'.
0242: Local TV now interviewing Archie Thompson of the Melbourne Victory. They've given him $500 for a charity bet. He's gone $250 each-way on Zavite. Why? It's his shirt number. No scientific formula there then. Bit like my punting.
0241: Just over an hour away from post time in the big one, and locally Viewed and Alcopop both trading as joing favourites at $5, while there's been money in the last few minutes for Roman Emperor. Shocking and Daffodil have been nibbled at. Bit of money apparently for Warringah as well.
0233: By the way, if you're wondering where superstar columnist Dave Ord is, California would be the answer. Dave will be blogging live from Santa Anita for Breeders' Cup 2009 starting on Tuesday afternoon at 1500 GMT. He'll also be doing live chats regularly during the week to give you a special insight to the big week Stateside. The big man is probably looking in right now while downing a latte with Perez Hilton.
0230: The big news so far tonight is that according to all the reports from Down Under Changingoftheguard is out of the big race. According to those reports trainer David Hayes is not happy that the vets haven't allowed the former Aidan O'Brien inmate to run. More on that as we get it.
0226: As ever the big race throws up some intriguing storylines, none more so than the legendary Bart Cummings going for a 13th win. He has three in the race, headed by last year's winner Viewed. Luca Cumani tries again with Basaltico while Godolphin run Crime Scene. Meanwhile another familiar name Mourilyan is among the field.
0200: In the words of the great Richie Benaud "morning everyone", and welcome to our coverage of the 2009 Melbourne Cup at Flemington. I'll be taking you through to 0400 GMT, and the "race that stops a nation". In the next couple of hours we'll be bringing you the colour and spectacle of Austsralia's biggest race. If you want to drop me a line about the big race (let us know what you fancy) or if you just can't sleep, get in touch at grahamianshaw@hotmail.com.
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