The first Tuesday of November is no doubt the biggest raceday on the Australia calendar, with the Melbourne Cup set to headline a 10-race card at Flemington.
Diehard racing fans and casual punters from around the country will be looking to back the winner in the Cup or perhaps finally nail that trifecta, but there are still nine other races to look at and plenty of money to hopefully be won.
With six races before the Cup and three to follow it, Sporting News have had a look at all the fields and tried to find some winners below.
RACE 1 - Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m)
An exceptionally hard race to pick, with only three runners having a start and the favourites currently at $5 with bookies.
Brereton ($5), Lascars ($7) and Renosu ($5) all finished in 2nd place in their first career starts, and all sit near the top of the betting market.
As for the debutants, only two other runners sit at single-figure odds. Water Bomber ($5) has been well-supported in the market after winning a barrier trial, while Deep Point ($5.50) is also coming off a barrier trial victory.
Quinlan ($11) isn't without a chance either for Gai Waterhouse's stable and will have the blinkers on, having finished 3rd in its only trial to date.
You may as well put all six of those horses in a hat and draw it out to decide who to back.
VERDICT: Quinlan (Each-Way)
RACE 2 - The Macca's Run (2800m)
The other staying race on Melbourne Cup Day is of course The Macca's Run over 2800m, and there are plenty of chances in the field.
Wil John ($3.50) looks set to start favourite and has won five races in a row, while Hamilton Cup winner Team Captain ($5.50) is also in the mix after getting its career under a new trainer underway in style.
Accountability ($4.20) is near the top of the market after running 3rd to Wil John in its previous start, while Bjorn Baker runner Savvy Valentino ($7) is also at single-figure odds and narrowly missed out last start.
As for the roughies in the market, Skymax ($14) will have the services of the in-form Brett Prebble and may enjoy this distance, while Good Idea ($31) may prefer the firmer surface and could improve.
VERDICT: Team Captain (Win)
RACE 3 - Resimax Group Subzero (1400m)
There are two clear hopes as far as the market is concerned in the third race on Melbourne Cup Day.
Housay ($2.90) is the outright favourite and will resume after a 10-month break. Already having won three races from seven career starts, Jye McNeil will take the ride and give it every hope.
The other main chance in the market is Excelman ($5.50), who will also be resuming after a spell. It has had no luck at this distance in three starts to date, but has won first-up before and has been well-supported.
Not To Be Mist ($6.50) is steady in the market and has a fantastic record over the trip, while Seb Song ($12) isn't out of the running either with a solid record over 1400m.
VERDICT: Not To Be Mist (Each-Way)
RACE 4 - Furphy Plate (1800m)
A solid race filled with plenty of chances, but it will be Lord Vladivostok ($3.70) who will likely start favourite and rightfully so.
With a win under its belt at this distance and two placings in two starts this preparation, Craig Williams will be every chance of taking out this race.
Skyman ($5) sits steady in the market and has placed twice over 1800m previously, while Groovy Kinda Love ($6) is coming off a huge win at Ballarat last start and will be right in the mix.
Milton Park ($7) has had plenty of support in betting and is coming off a strong win, while the roughie in the field Hang Man ($31) is never out of it despite a disappointing first-up effort.
VERDICT: Groovy Kinda Love (Each-Way)
RACE 5 - Grinders Coffee Roasters-Bm90 (1400m)
There are multiple winning hopes in this race, including the slightly-easing favourite in Frankie Pinot ($3.70), who is strong form and has runs on the board in previous starts over this distance.
The main dangers to the favourite appear to be Blondeau ($4.20), who ran 4th in the recent Silver Eagle up in Sydney and was only a length of the winner in that race.
Pindaric ($7.50) has won six races from seven career starts and should be every chance to continue that form, while Lackeen ($7) can't be discounted and has had some support in betting.
If you're looking for a roughie, I Am Vinnie ($41) has produced all of its seven career wins over this distance and has won third-up in the past.
VERDICT: Pindaric (Each-Way)
RACE 6 - The Schweppervescence Plate (1000m)
Another sprint race down the Flemington straight and there's two horses in the race that look to be a class above.
Profiteer ($2.60) is a talented three-year-old and has produced two wins and two placings from six career starts, and should be able to bounce back from a disappointing effort in the Group 1 Moir Stakes.
Enthaar ($3.20) isn't far behind in the market and the talented filly will be resuming after an eight-month spell. Only three career starts to its name and two wins, it will be every chance with Jye McNeil booked to ride and a strong first-up record.
Super Thief ($8) is up in class but has won two of three career starts, while Godolphin runner Bacchanalia ($8.50) can't be ignored and could feature in the finish.
For those hunting a rougher chance, Ashema ($15) should be improving third-up and could be a nice each-way chance.
VERDICT: Enthaar (Win)
RACE 8 - The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m)
After the Melbourne Cup is finished, there will be another three races at Flemington, kicking off with this Group 3 clash over 1400m.
Promise Of Success ($2.80) is the clear favourite and is coming off a good win at Randwick a few weeks ago. It had drawn nicely and has a quality jockey on board in James McDonald, and many are expecting it to be in the finish.
After finishing 2nd in its first run back from a spell, April Rain ($4) isn't far behind the favourite and will look to build on its three career wins to date on Tuesday.
Rich Hips ($9) has received plenty of support in the betting markets and won this race last year, while the likes of La Mexicana ($9.50) and Aidensfield ($23) aren't without a chance.
VERDICT: Rich Hips (Each-Way)
RACE 9 - Tab Trophy (1800m)
The penultimate race of the day will be a three-year-old listed event, with a host of chances in the 14-horse field.
Spirit Of Gaylard ($3.80) is a narrow favourite and had a solid outing in Group 2 company on Cox Plate day over a longer distance.
Just behind it in the market is Maracana ($4.20), who is two from three so far in its career and will find this distance and track conditions suitable, after finishing in 2nd over the mile a couple of weeks ago.
Station One ($9) has received support from punters after picking up a maiden victory recently, while Zoumon ($10) will look to continue its winning form in this race.
Samarkand ($17) and Oenology ($10) will both be in the mix and could be value at those odds.
VERDICT: Maracana (Win)
RACE 10 - Mss Security Sprint (1200m)
The final race on Melbourne Cup Day will be down the straight once again, with a stacked field boasting plenty of high-quality horses.
Curran ($4) holds the top spot in betting and rightfully so, having a win and a placing under its belt this preparation and having no luck last start in the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint.
Pandemic ($5) has been in solid form and has plenty of support in the market, while Quantico ($5) is right in the mix and is coming off two-straight wins.
Rubisaki ($10) is a classy horse on its day and has a strong record over this distance, while Prime Candidate ($8.50) will look to lead all the way for Nash Rawiller.
If you're in trouble after a long day on the punt and are chasing a roughie in the last at Flemington, Night Raid ($21) is a good each-way chance and Despatch ($61) could be worth a few pennies as it resumes after a year-long absence.
