The Melbourne Cup 2014 field may not be out until Saturday afternoon following the Victoria Derby Day action at Flemington but the top four chances for the ‘race that stops a nation’ are all set for a run so below we take a closer look at their chances.

There are still 38 horses vying for a run in the $6.2 million Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) next Tuesday at Victoria’s most prestigious race track, the final two spots in the 24-starter field to be confirmed after the Lexus Stakes and Mackinnon Stakes results this weekend.

Futures Melbourne Cup betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au meanwhile have four horses currently under double figures to add their name to the list of coveted Melbourne Cup winners.

With all four safely inside the Top 24 on the Melbourne Cup ballot and guaranteed a run, it’s safe to place your bets on them at their juicy futures prices.

It’s a truly mixed bag with two internationals, one from Japan and the other from Germany, plus two locals including a mare making for an intriguing edition of the ‘race that stops a nation’.

There are some really awesome Melbourne Cup betting offers going on this year too, including the $10 million Megafecta at Ladbrokes.com.au if you can predict the first seven over the line in the correct order!

The Melbourne Cup first four will get you more than half way there, but will it be in the order the bookies have them rated?

Admire Rakti

($4.80)

Sits number on the ballot and comes off a Caulfield Cup win in his Australian debut. The Japanese-trained Heart’s Cry stallion was the heaviest weighted and proved the best horse on the day there but can he back up and do it again this time with 58.5kg? It’s more weight than any Melbourne Cup winner has carried to victory in the past three decades but he’s still the top fancy in betting. The last Caulfield – Melbourne Cups double winner was Ethereal (2001) and money is coming for this seven-year-old to be the next. Trainer is happy with the lead-up work but knows there’s some stiff competition. Still, he’s suited to the 3200m and the Flemington straight will work to his advantage.

Lucia Valentina

($7)

Beaten Caulfield Cup favourite last time out when third to Admire Rakti. Kris Lees’ mare was the Turnbull Stakes winner before that at Flemington over 2000m and her effort over the 2400m last time out was brave when out wide and finishing strongly right up there with the winner. Think she’ll be okay over 3200m but that is the test. Well-weighted (53kg) but no mare has won since Makybe Diva (2003-05) – is she good enough to get the female gallopers back in the Melbourne Cup winners’ stall?

Protectionist

($7.50)

Early odds on this Andreas Wohler-trained German stayer were crazy but has been firming like crazy after debuting in Australia when an eye-catching fourth in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on October 11. Hasn’t raced since so it’ll be about a month between runs. Weighted on 56.5kg for Tuesday, dropping from 59kg in the Herbert Power when giving six kilos to the winner Big Memory. Before that won back-to-back Group 2s in France including the Prix Kergorlay over 3000m so will eat up the extra metres second-up down under and that form has held in previous editions of the Cup so watch this lightly-raced Monsun stallion who has the consistent record (9-4-3-1) to back-up the short price.

Fawkner

($8)

Trainer Robert Hickmott won the Melbourne Cup two years ago with Green Moon and owner Lloyd Williams boasts a total of four ‘Loving Trophies’ – both looking to have a strong chance at another in this Reset seven-year-old. Last 7YO Melbourne Cup winner was Makybe Diva for her last in 2005 but Fawkner’s form has been excellent. Won the Caulfield Cup last year and this year’s Caulfield Stakes before his close second just 0.2 lengths off Adelaide in the Cox Plate last weekend. On the short back-up but comes down from 59kg in his last three runs to 57kg on the weekend, will appreciate the increase in distance and Flemington holds no fears (11-5-3-1).

Outside of these are then three other hopes under $20 in the markets, the Johnny Murtagh-trained Irish raider Mutual Regard is the next best in betting at $11 with the Hernando six-year-old having his first run since beating Lord Van Percy in the Ebor Handicap (2800m) at York on August 23.

Dual Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux, including behind Fioretne last year, and Darren Weir’s in-form Signoff needing the Lexus Stakes win this weekend to make the cut then follow on $17 apiece.

See below for the full futures Melbourne Cup 2014 betting markets so you can back your early tips on this classic race at juicy prices before the field announcement tomorrow, prices courtesy of the only bookie you need to remember this spring – Ladbrokes.com.au.

2014 Melbourne Cup Odds