How the runners stack up on the eve of the Melbourne Cup.
1. Dunaden (barrier 1)
Chris Roots says: “The 2011 Melbourne Cup winner is a strong stayer proven at two miles and drawn well. The only question is will the 58.5 kilograms stop him.”
Max Presnell says: “Obviously the weight aspect comes into play with him: up four kilos on his winning Cup handicap in 2011.”
2. Green Moon (10)
Roots says: “Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner, and enjoys the wide open spaces of Flemington. He has won two group 1s there and three in total. Drawn to get the right run, and can figure again.”
Presnell says: “Won last year, and history can repeat itself in the Cup. Blinkers could improve him on recent efforts.”
3. Red Cadeaux (23)
Roots says: “A seasoned traveller which was runner-up by the narrowest of margins in the 2011 Melbourne Cup. He has had five goes at two miles for three placings, and is place hope again.”
Presnell says: “Having his third attempt. Best effort was close second to Dunaden two years back and goes up three kilos. Weight again the query.”
4. Sea Moon (7)
Roots says: “He ran midfield in the Arc de Triomphe last year. Drops in weight from his Herbert Power Handicap win and was a weight-for-age winner in England. Has obvious class, and is an each-way hope.”
Presnell says: “Wise guys with Europe insight rate him highly. What he’s done here has been impressive. Top hope.”
5. Brown Panther (6)
Roots says: “Michael Owen-owned front-running stayer, which has won the Goodwood Cup at two miles this year. He possesses a turn of foot, which will be handy and could be one to throw in trifectas.”
Presnell says: “Shows speed back home, indicating he should get a sweet passage from the six gate.”
6. Fiorente (5)
Roots says: “Had a great Cup trial in the Turnbull Stakes and Cox Plate, where he worked hard but held on for third. Melbourne Cup runner-up last year could be set to go one better this time.”
Presnell says: “Had a perfect campaign. Lugging bit application a query but Damien Oliver should get him to settle. Has speed and staying power. He’ll do me.”
7. Foreteller (15)
Roots says: “He stormed home late in the Cox Plate, convincing Chris Waller to run him in the Melbourne Cup. A question mark remains on him at two miles, but if ridden quietly, he will be running on.”
Presnell says: “Distance a problem but a true weight-for-age horse with a strong finish. Could surprise.”
8. Dandino (4)
Roots says: “Has been on an odyssey through Hong Kong, England, the United States before arriving here and running second in the Caulfield Cup. Has the in-form Ryan Moore up top, and is a live chance.”
Presnell says: “Second in the Caulfield Cup last start on old standards would have him favourite. Journey doubts.”
9. Ethiopia (14)
Roots says: “The Australian Derby winner last year but has had common form since. Was near his best when running fourth in the Lexus Stakes on Saturday. Has only been a winner once in 13 starts. Prefer others.”
Presnell says: “Yes, won an Australian Derby – his only success. Efforts over the past year don’t inspire.”
10. Fawkner (8)
Roots says: “Was placed behind Black Caviar in the autumn. Built into the spring running third in the Turnbull Stakes before winning the Caulfield Cup. A query at 2400m before his win last time. Can overcome doubts again.”
Presnell says: “Brilliant in the Caulfield Cup. Can he produce something similar at Flemington? Yes.”
11. Mourayan (19)
Roots says: “Sydney Cup winner which finished midfield at three runs this spring. The blinkers come off after he disappointed in the Mackinnon Stakes on Saturday. One which will stay the trip and finish in the first half of the field.”
Presnell says: “Poor in the Mackinnon. Blinkers switch could help, but not enough.”
12. Seville (9)
Roots says: “Scored in The Metropolitan when, and his Cox Plate was good despite finishing midfield. Looks like he will enjoy getting to two miles. Tough, genuine and classy. Big chance.”
Presnell says: “Has staying power and a touch of class, confirmed in The Metrop at Randwick. Hugh Bowman another plus.”
13. Super Cool (13)
Roots says: “Has made a habit of peaking on the big days. Last spring was runner-up in the Derby then won the Australian Cup in the autumn. Consistent without winning this spring. But he gets up for the big days.”
Presnell says: “Likes Flemington but could find this too hot.”
14. Masked Marvel (2)
Roots says: “Won the English St Leger in 2011, and everything he has done in Australia since arriving suggests he will stay all day. He will be running on at the end, and is worthy of an each-way ticket.”
Presnell says: “Better than he showed in the Cox Plate. A real two-miler.”
15. Mount Athos (22)
Roots says: “Trying to make-up for a luckless fifth in last year’s Cup. Won at Chester in a group 3 this year. Reports are he is working well and should be in the finish.”
Presnell says: “Unlucky fifth in Cup last year but only win since against common opposition. Set for Cup. Not carrying any of mine.”
16. Royal Empire (11)
Roots says: “Godolphin returns for a 15th year still looking for its first Melbourne Cup. His preparation has included two wins then a pair of seconds at 2400m. Has tactical speed and will be thereabouts.”
Presnell says: “Up-and-coming type on the right weight. Difficult to assess.”
17. Voleuse De Coeurs (21)
Roots says: “She was bought out of the Dermot Weld yard after winning the Irish St Leger by six lengths. Has settled well into Australia and expect forward showing despite poor draw.”
Presnell says: “Scored impressively in the Irish St Leger, good form reference, but stable transfer doesn’t stimulate confidence.”
18. Hawkspur (18)
Roots says: “Looked a star winning the Chelmsford Stakes but has had no luck in his two runs in Melbourne. Won the Queensland Derby in dominant fashion, and could do the same here.”
Presnell says: “Disappointed in the Caulfield Cup but is better than that. Expect a bold showing.”
19. Simenon (12)
Roots says: “There is no doubt this fellow will stay. He has been over the jumps and was runner-up in the Ascot Gold Cup over 4000m. Third in the Herbert Power Stakes at his only Australian start. Place hope.”
Presnell says: “International that did well in the Herbert Power and benefited from the experience. Class?”
20. Ibicenco (17)
Roots says: “He is a winner at two miles and has been in good form, winning first-up over 1700 metres before proving too strong in a slogging finish to the Geelong Cup. Will run the trip, and could fill a place.”
Presnell says: “This could be a bit rich.”
21. Verema (3)
Roots says: “Promising staying mare which has shown good acceleration to win the Prix de Nieuil and Prix Kergorlay. Prepared by a French master and to be ridden by a Cup-winning jockey. Don’t leave her out.”
Presnell says: “From the same stable as Americain. Set for this, and should be respected.”
22. Dear Demi (16)
Roots says: “In her best form this spring, despite not winning. Third behind It’s A Dundeel and Atlantic Jewel in the Underwood, third in the Caulfield Cup and should have won the Mackinnon. Could be the best of the Aussies.”
Presnell says: “Thriving on an old-fashioned Cup preparation. With Chris Munce is a chance.”
23. Tres Blue (20)
Roots says: “Former French galloper now under Gai Waterhouse. Won a group 3 and then a group 2 both over 2500m at Deauville and was runner-up in the German Derby. Not the worst.”
Presnell says: “Latecomer to Waterhouse. Fiorente did well under the same management last year. A four-year-old mare? No.”
24. Ruscello (24)
Roots says: “Has been very tough in both his runs in Australia. Just went down at Caulfield over 2000m before defying a desperate field in Lexus on Saturday. Others have more appeal.”
Presnell says: “Lexus winner on Saturday but wide gate here negates prospects.”
Live coverage: Click here for all-day live coverage of Melbourne Cup day
Picture gallery: Melbourne Cup horses at Werribee
Picture gallery: Flemington Fashions on the Field
Profile: Flemington stablehand Colin White
Profile: Another day at the races for ‘Patto’
