Here we are, spring has fully arrived, the air is warm and thick with the scent of Flemington roses. The first Tuesday in November has arrived, which means it’s time to compete in the Melbourne Cup over the famous 3200 metres.

We have all the details you need to choose a grand prize winner.

TAB corrected the odds correct as of 8pm AEDT 3 November 2024 (visit tab.com.au for the last one).

$6 Shape: 11x0x24312
% of career wins: 40 Place%: 75

First start for a new coach after a seven-week period. Get out of a good barrier quickly, so you should be free of any initial problems. The last time he won was at York. He could be one of the contenders.

$6.50 Shape: 5356×81122
% of career wins: 23 Place%: 55

He finished strongly to take second place in the Caulfield Cup on a soft track. He has obtained two victories in five starts in this preparation and with the magic man Joao Moreira on board he will be among the possibilities.

$41 Shape: 3x4411x890
% of career wins: 23 Place%: 54

Jump off an uncomfortable barrier having struggled so far in this preparation. He was 10th in the Caulfield Cup last start but will appreciate the extra distance here. I won’t be carrying my money, so that’s an advantage it has.

$26 Shape: x414x325x0
% of career wins: 17 Place%: 48

He was well beaten in the Caulfield Cup last outing after a six-month spell. He will be better for that race, he prefers dry ground and has a good draw for it. He would need to change things to win.

$21 Shape: 95365×3426
% of career wins: 25 Place%: 50

He fell back to finish sixth in the last start in the Cox Plate. He has shown ability over longer distances, so the step up will be appropriate. One to consider for your exotics as a place finish would not be surprising.

$61 Shape: x3669x0203
% of career wins: 27 Place%: 59

Showed great improvement by finishing third in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup over 2500m last start. He will have to improve again if he is to have any chance here.

$51 Shape: 0x85x05010
% of career wins: 28 Place%: 40

He led early in the last Moonee Valley Gold Cup start over 2500m but faded badly to finish last. He could be one of the favorites here again, but it’s unlikely he’ll win any trophies.

$17 Shape: 755x1x0613
% of career wins: 23 Place%: 46

He ran well to finish third in the last Caulfield Cup start, after winning the Randwick foot race before a 2400m average. They will appreciate Flemington’s wide open spaces and the extra distance and a win here would not be a surprise.

$9 Shape: 1x7F41x41x
% of career wins: 29 Place%: 67

First candidacy for a new coach after a long period. He ran well in last year’s Melbourne Cup and has had a similar preparation this time around.

10. ATHABASCAN (FR) – TAB Odds: $51 Shape: x6442x8001
% of career wins: 14 Place%: 41

Last start he won the St Leger at Randwick over 2600m. He’s certainly not one of the worst starters and jumps out of a good gate.

11. KNIGHT’S CHOICE – TAB Odds: $151 Shape: 24234×9005
% of career wins: 23 Place%: 45

He finished fifth in the Bendigo Cup last start, five lengths behind Sea King. Before that, he was well behind at the end of the Caulfield Cup. One for the Newcastle fans, let’s hope he finishes closer to the front of the pack.

$14 Shape: 13x00x8021
% of career wins: 28 Place%: 61

Won the Moonee Valley Gold Cup over 2500m last start. He must run with speed and is among the main possibilities. Jockey Jamie Kah is returning to her best form.

$8 Shape: 42882×1741
% of career wins: 13 Place%: 55

I won the Geelong Cup last time out, which has always proven to be a strong indicator for this race. With one of the best jockeys in the world, Craig Williams, on board, I will earn a little of what I worked so hard for. One for Sade fans.

$15 Shape: 132×665245
% of career wins: 32 Place%: 53

Brief three-day backup after finishing fifth in the Empire Rose over 1600m on Derby day. Before that he ran well to fourth place in the Caulfield Cup. He has won twice previously at Flemington and is carrying the Godolphin flag this year.

$9.50 Shape: 4x110136x1
% of career wins: 35 Place%: 50

On his last start, first after a period, he won the Bendigo Cup over 2400m. He is fit and could be a real threat if he manages to get over 3200m. One of the naval helicopter fans.

$126 Shape: 212256×009
% of career wins: 9 Place%: 45

He has struggled so far in this preparation, finishing ninth in the Caulfield Cup last outing. He has a nasty Cup barrier and is unlikely to bother the top horses. One for all the old Chrysler fans.

$126 Shape: x58610x536
% of career wins: 19 Place%: 52

He finished 10 lengths behind the winner of the last Caulfield Cup start on a soft track. He won’t be far behind in the race and has the speed to overcome a bad barrier. But I don’t like his chances.

$21 Shape: 916×000862
% of career wins: 17 Place%: 35

He came second in the last Geelong Cup start over 2400m. He’s been getting to the line really well the last few outings and could be ready to spring a surprise in this one.

19. MANZOICE – TAB Odds: $126 Shape: 88520×2307
% of career wins: 10 Place%: 33

He finished four lengths off the pace in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup final start. He has won twice in a 21-race career and will have a real shot at the final prize in the overall standings.

$81 Shape: x23622x440
% of career wins: 24 Place%: 52

He did nothing to impress last start at Flemington and finished second to last over 2520m. He has had a 31-day spell and will wear the blinders again. One for Melbourne weather fans.

$126 Shape: 81291×2178
% of career wins: 33 Place%: 50

He faded to finish eighth last start in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup and won at Caulfield three races back. The wide barrier is a concern, as is his ability to run the 3200m.

$23 Shape: 31123×8495
% of career wins: 20 Place%: 50

Ran strongly to finish in the midfield on the last start in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup over 2500m. Not without hope in the additional distance. One for Dragons fans and hopefully not too disappointing.

$51 Shape: 12211×9056
% of career wins: 28 Place%: 47

He loves Flemington, although he has struggled for form lately. Last start he finished sixth in the 2400m Geelong Cup. He should handle the distance but he lacks the class to win this. One for Dora the Explorer fans.

– TAB probabilities: $151 Shape: 1626×63044
% of career wins: 13 Place%: 33

Finished fourth in the St Leger over 2600m on the last Randwick start. He has had four wins in a career of 30 starts, and none of them were recent. He could fight Manzoice for the last prize in the office sweep.