Victoria's leading caller Matt Hill has opened up about how he prepares for Melbourne Cup Day, as he prepares to tell the story of the winner in the race that stops the nation.
Hill can be heard almost every weekend calling races in Melbourne, and is regarded as one of the best race callers in the world.
But on the first Tuesday of November, Hill has the job of calling a mammoth 24 runners in the $7.5 million race at Flemington, as well as nine other races on the card.
Speaking on SEN's Breakfast With Vossy on the morning of the Cup, Hill spoke about his preparation and what he does on 'grand final day' to get himself in the zone.
“I find that the broadcast box for me is my little happy place," he said.
"It’s a place I feel most comfortable in, so if I’m getting up on Melbourne Cup morning or even yesterday just thinking about the race, it’s a very easy thing to overthink and make yourself nervous.
"If you get to the track nice and early, you get to where you are comfortable. I will get there at 8.30 and soak it up and relax. I’m really looking forward to the day.
"It’s a bit of a tricky day for a race caller, I could probably equate it to a commentator calling a football grand final but you’ve also got to call the reserve grade matches as well.
"You’ve got to conserve your energy a little bit in the first six races before the grand final at 3pm."
Incentivise is set to start the race as the shortest-priced favourite since the legendary Phar Lap in the 1930s, with the gelding currently sitting around the $2.90 mark with bookies.
Hill said he has somewhat prepared for if the rising champion does cross the line first, but besides that he doesn't try to script things too much for a big race.
“I don’t try and rehearse lines, because usually if you try and come out with a line you’ve rehearsed, you can always mess it up," he said.
"I always try and keep that as organic as I possibly can, but I’ve got a fair idea what I will say if the favourite wins today Incentivise.
"It is just a great story – we’re talking about a horse that back in the early part of the year, was getting beaten in Class 1 races in Toowoomba by 16 lengths. Now he has won 10 in a row and is looking to win a Melbourne Cup, so Incentivise is a great story.
"There’s something jangling around in my brain – there’s a couple of others as well, obviously Verry Elleegant is a great story.
"I try and keep it as organically as I can."
Hill is tipping the favourite to win this year's Cup, but also threw a couple of wider chances in the mix.
“I think the favourite wins," he said.
"I think the favourite might be a champion, and the way the race is going to pan out with the 24 runners, they are going to go fast early and I think Incentivise will get across.
"The best two away from the favourite are Floating Artist and Grand Promenade."
