The Melbourne Cup is known as 'the race that stops a nation' and on the first Tuesday in November millions of eyes around Australia will be keenly watching the events at Flemington.
This year, the race will look a little different once again, with just 10,000 spectators allowed on course due to coronavirus restrictions. That follows last year's race, which was run in front of empty grandstands at Flemington.
READ MORE: Simon O'Donnell's mega Melbourne Cup form guide
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THE RACE
Race 7 is the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse, and it is run over 3200m. A total of 24 horses make up the field. There are a total of 10 races on Melbourne Cup Day.
TIME OF THE MELBOURNE CUP RACE
The 2021 Melbourne Cup is on Tuesday, 2 November 2021 at 3pm (AEDT) in Victoria, NSW, Tasmania and ACT.
In Queensland, daylight saving time doesn't apply, so the main race will run at 2pm (AEST). In Western Australia the race will be at 12pm, 1.30pm in the Northern Territory, and 2.30pm in South Australia. The first race on Melbourne Cup Day is at 10.45am (AEDT) and the last race is at 5.15pm (AEDT).
READ MORE: Two-time Melbourne Cup champion jockey Corey Brown reveals his 2021 race trifecta and first four
PRIZEMONEY
The Melbourne Cup is the world's richest handicap race.
This year the race is worth a total of $8 million, and the famous 18ct solid gold Hardy Brothers trophy is worth $250,000. The winner will receive $4.4 million, second place $1.1 million, third $550,000, fourth $350,000, fifth $230,000 and sixth to 12th $160,000.
Jockeys receive five per cent of the prizemoney and a miniature Melbourne Cup trophy worth $10,000.
Trainers receive 10 per cent of the prizemoney and the connections collect 85 per cent.
THE FIELD AND BARRIER DRAW
1. TWILIGHT PAYMENT (58kg, Barrier 2, J: J.McNeil, T: J.O'Brien)
2. INCENTIVISE (57kg, Barrier 16, J: B.Prebble, T: P.Moody)
3. SPANISH MISSION (57kg, Barrier 14, J: C.Williams, T: A.Balding)
4. VERRY ELLEEGANT (57kg, Barrier 19, J: J.McDonald, T: C.Waller)
5. EXPLOSIVE JACK (54kg, Barrier 4, J: J.Allen, T: C.Maher & D.Eustace)
6. THE CHOSEN ONE (54kg, Barrier 5, J: D.Lane, T: M.Baker & A.Forsman)
7. DELPHI (53.5kg, Barrier 3, J: D.Oliver, T: A & S Freedman)
8. OCEAN BILLY (53.5kg, Barrier 13, J: D.Thornton, T: C.Waller)
9. SELINO (53.5kg, Barrier 24, J: R.Stewart, T: C.Waller)
10. JOHNNY GET ANGRY (53kg, Barrier 22, J: L.King (a), T: D.Pagan)
11. KNIGHTS ORDER (53kg, Barrier 9, J: D.Stackhouse, T: G.Waterhouse & A.Bott)
12. PERSAN (53kg, Barrier 11, J: L.Currie, T: C.Maher & D.Eustace)
13. CARIF (52.5kg, Barrier 8, J: B.McDougall, T: P & P Snowden)
14. MASTER OF WINE (52.5kg, Barrier 6, J: F.Kersley, T: M, W & J.Hawkes)
15. PONDUS (52.5kg, Barrier 1, J: R.King, T: R.Hickmott)
16. GRAND PROMENADE (52kg, Barrier 21, J: K.McEvoy, T: C.Maher & D.Eustace)
17. MIAMI BOUND (52kg, Barrier 17, J: P.Moloney, T: D.O'Brien)
18. PORT GUILLAUME (52kg, Barrier 23, J: H.Coffey, T: B & JD.Hayes)
19. SHE'S IDEEL (52kg, Barrier 20, J: C.Newitt, T: B.Baker)
20. FUTURE SCORE (51.5kg, Barrier 15 J: D.Yendall, T: M.Cumani)
21. TRALEE ROSE (51kg, Barrier 12, J: D.Holland, T: S.Wilde)
22. FLOATING ARTIST (50kg, Barrier 10, J: T.Nugent, T: C.Maher & D.Eustace)
23. GREAT HOUSE (50kg, Barrier 7, J: M.Dee, T: C.Waller)
24. SIR LUCAN (50kg, Barrier 18, J: G.Boss, T: G.Waterhouse & A.Bott)
RACE DAY SCHEDULE
On Melbourne Cup day, there will be a total of 10 races, including the all-important Race 7.
The first race begins at 10.45am (AEDT) and the last race of the day is scheduled at 5.15pm (AEDT).
Race 1. 10.45am (AEDT) – 1000m Darley Maribyrnong Plate
Race 2. 11.20am (AEDT) – 2800m The Macca's Run
Race 3. 12.00pm (AEDT) – 1400m Resimax Group Subzero Handicap
Race 4. 12.40pm (AEDT) – 1800m Furphy Plate
Race 5. 1.20pm (AEDT) – 1400m Grinders Coffee Roasters Trophy
Race 6. 1.55pm (AEDT) – 1000m The Schweppervescence Plate
Race 7. 3pm (AEDT) – 3200m Lexus Melbourne Cup
Race 8. 4.00pm (AEDT) – 1400m The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes
Race 9. 4.40pm (AEDT) – 1800m Tab Trophy
Race 10. 5.15pm (AEDT) – 1200m MSS Security Sprint
THE WEATHER FORECAST
On Melbourne Cup day at Flemington it's expected to reach a temperature high of 30 degrees Celsius with a low of 11 degrees, with zero per cent chance of rain, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
In the Melbourne area it's predicted there will be the chance of fog in the morning, with a sunny day and light winds becoming north to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the morning then increasing to 25 to 35 km/h in the middle of the day.
The temperature is forecast to peak at 3pm local time, coinciding with the start of the Melbourne Cup.
MELBOURNE CUP SWEEPSTAKES
When it comes to the office sweeps, Wide World of Sports has got you covered. Click HERE for a version that you can download and print out.
EXPERT TIPS AND ODDS
Simon O'Donnell's expert tips can be found in Wide World of Sports' form guide.
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