Melbourne Cup 2018: Which horses to tip, who the stars are backing, last minute guide

Brendan Bradford

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Melbourne Cup 2018: Which horses to tip, who the stars are backing, last minute guide image

It's finally here: The Melbourne Cup. The race that stops a nation. The biggest horse race in the Southern Hemisphere - and maybe the world, depending on who you ask. 

Everyone's got a tip, a hunch, an inkling, or a mate of a mate whose cousin's husband knows a guy who works at Flemington who always offers good oil. 

But at the end of the day, it's a crapshoot. We all know it. 

The pre-race favourite hasn't won in five years, since Gai Waterhouse's Fiorente powered past Red Cadeaux in the home straight in 2013. 

MORE: Melbourne Cup live updates | Melbourne Cup - A Beginner's guide

In 2015, Michelle Payne guided rank outsider Prince of Penzance to one of the most remarkable victories in Cup history, while Rekindling was an outsider last year. So was Green Moon. And Viewed. 

Anyway, you get the idea. It's tough to back a winner. 

Throw in the fact that it's been raining steadily overnight in Melbourne, and there's even more to think about. 

You've read all the form guides. You watched the Racing Channel for the first time since last November. You've put a call out for tips in the group chat. You've outlined the horse with the best name (Ventura Storm) and the one that's been around for years (Who Shot Thebarman), but you're still lost. 

Where else to look? Well, right here, obviously. 

Here's who the experts and celebs are picking to win the 2018 Melbourne Cup today. For what it's worth, I'm backing Magic Circle, because that's what at least three pundits on TV have tipped this morning. 

Former Melbourne Storm, Queensland and Australia fullback Billy Slater is a huge racing fan.

"I'm going to stick with the horse I backed in the Caulfield Cup and that's Best Solution," Slater said on the Talking Turf podcast. 

"I think it bought winning form into the Caulfield Cup. Didn't have the easiest run, it had to go a long way from home.

"He's a tough horse and I think he's going to get a cushy run from barrier six."

Slater also said he's got concerns about a favourite in the race. 

"The one I'm worried about is the horse that hasn't had a run since May and that's Magic Circle," he said. 

"If he produces a fraction of his previous two starts - unbelievable. But Magic Circle is the danger for me." 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has tipped Youngstar at $16, while leader of the opposition Bill Shorten is on the favourite Yucatan. 


 

Tom Waterhouse is back from the wilderness. When did that happen? Anyway, he's backed Rostropovich.


 

TAB expert Jaimee Rogers is tipping Magic Circle.

Racing insider Richard Freedman has good form at the Cup. 

"Best Solution and The Cliffsofmoher will both run well again," he told The Grill Team.

"As can Magic Circle, Avilius a local horse. Yucatan is the favourite.

"Forced to pick, The Cliffsofmoher has run some nice races at good value at $10 to $15, so if I was picking one, I'd go with that, but it's a tremendously difficult race this year because there's so many we haven't seen."

It should be noted that Freedman also has a horse in the race. 

Basil Zempilas is on the favourite. 


It looks like James Maloney is getting in on Magic Circle as well. 



So is Frank Pritchard. 


 

Another tip for Magic Circle, from former tennis star Sam Groth.


 

Here's English racing expert and broadcaster Matt Chapman's tip.


Here's this, which is also a word of warning. 


With the rain continuing to fall, more and more experts and punters are backing Magic Circle which has more experience racing in the wet. 

If none of that is enough to convince you, go with the guy making the best Seinfeld references. 

Loves the slop. 

 

 

Brendan Bradford