Tomorrow’s Emirates Melbourne Cup has attracted a huge buzz from racing enthusiasts due to the six international horses running in the $5.65 million event.

Since the first international win by Vintage Crop in 1993, foreign horses have been flocking to Flemington eager to steal the Cup trophy away from its homeland.

In the past fifteen years, seven international horses have been the race favourite however this year it seems that bookmakers are staying away from the foreigners with not one horse with single-figured odds.

English stayer Changingoftheguard and the Chechen ruler-owned Mourilyan have the shortest odds of the group at $21 each.

Mourilyan:

Belonging to Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov, this six year old has won five out of 18 starts and has placed seven times. Raking in $452,906 in prize money, Mourilyan is the Cup’s strongest international contender as he has already raced twice over a 3200m distance and placed second in each event. Suiting good ground, the Glyn Schofield-ridden horse will start the race off by staying back in the pack until he hits the top of the straight where he will pick up the pace to close in on the leaders.

Basaltico:

With six wins and six placings to the horse’s name, Basaltico is one of the international contenders which will have no problem finishing in the top ten. The six year old has already won $298,580 in prize money and won the Grand Prix De Nantes in 2008. Keep an eye out for this horse if the track receives any rain tonight as he excels on the wet.

Warringah:

This English import will be ridden by Damien Oliver who has raced five international horses in his past seven rides. The five year old has raced twelve times with two wins and five placings however he has not raced over a 3200m distance before. Riding best on a good ground, the gelding recently ran a solid race in which he led until the 50m carry a whopping 61.5kg.

Crime Scene:

The Godolphin trained Crime Scene is a questionable horse in tomorrow’s race however his jockey Kerrin McEvoy is definitely in his favour. Worth $581,498 in prize money so far, the seven year old is not one of the most popular horses entering in the race despite racing to second in his past two preparations.

Munsef:

With seven wins and 15 placings out of 32 starts, Munsef is one of the Cup’s oldest horses entered and will be the first horse since Catalogue in 1938 to win the race as an eight year old if he can pull it off. His jockey Zac Purton will have his first ride on the horse tomorrow which could affect the horse’s performance.

Changingoftheguard:

Changingoftheguard is the youngest entrant in the Melbourne Cup and has two wins and three placings from seven starts to his name. Although the four year old may lack maturity, he has been lucky in his barrier one draw which means he won’t have to jostle for an early position. Changingoftheguard will be ridden by Glen boss however his chances of winning this year don’t look too promising.