The countdown is on until this spring’s edition of the ‘race that stops a nation’ and below are the exclusive Races.com.au Melbourne Cup 2016 tips and exotic selections.

Running as Flemington Race 7 at 3:00pm (AEDT) on the first Tuesday of November as is tradition, this year’s $6.2 million Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) features the capacity 24 starters.

The latest Melbourne Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au have just three of the hopefuls under $10 for the win with markets led by the easing favourite Hartnell ($5.50).

Prepared by John O’Shea for the powerhouse Godolphin stable, Hartnell is a six-year-old son of Hartnell out to salute for Melbourne Cup favourite backers for just the second time in a decade.

The 2016 Melbourne Cup Tips: Hoodoos & History point to a number of facts both four and against backing Hartnell for the win in the world’s richest handicap.

His lead-up form is very hard to knock however including the three length win over Jameka, who went on to win the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) by a three length margin of her own, in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m).

Hartnell’s biggest dangers according to the Melbourne Cup betting markets are last Saturday’s Lexus Stakes winning English raider Oceanographer ($8.50) for Charlie Appleby and the aforementioned Caulfield Cup winning mare Jameka ($8).

So will the single-figure fancies be the first past the post in the two mile classic or will punters see a similar Melbourne Cup result to last year when triple-figure roughie Prince Of Penzance scored the upset?

Don’t forget to also check out our comprehensive 2016 Melbourne Cup Form Guide & Betting Preview for more facts and stats to help with your Flemington Race 7 Tips on Tuesday!

1^st

#1 Big Orange ($14)

There’s too much to like about the early market mover, despite history showing he is out to be just the third Melbourne Cup winner in the international era to win at his second go. Last year he was only 2.4 lengths away fifth, and he has been in ace form since. He is an out and out stayer and thrives at two miles, proven by the Goodwood Cup win in July. This is his first start since and that doesn’t bode well as Vintage Crop (1993) is the only Melbourne Cup winner to have won without an Australian lead-up race. History is there to be bucked and 57kg this horse can handle. He is big, strong, looks the best of the raiders and will be hard to hold out at a nice price.

Read more on whether Big Orange can win at juicy 2016 Melbourne Cup Odds.

2^nd

#6 Hartnell ($5.50)

Plenty of boxes ticked by the Melbourne Cup favourite and his awesome late sectional speed should set up a beauty of a battle down that final straight. He doesn’t like too much hustle and bustle early however, so McDonald will have to work to keep him out of trouble from the barrier (12) and keep that pressure off. He likely thought he won the Cox Plate when Winx ran off for that eight length win, so don’t think he was overly pushed to keep up with her late last start. He should be right to go around the two miles then and improve on his efforts last year. Well-weighted (not sure why he’s not carrying top weight) and has the class factor.

Read more on whether Hartnell will win the Melbourne Cup 2016 for the punters.

3^rd

#17 Almandin ($11)

So many chances to finish off the Melbourne Cup trifecta and plenty at far better odds than this, but really think Williams and Hickmott have this lightly-raced seven-year-old import fresh and building the steady momentum. This is his first Group 1 test and first go at 3200m, but looks like he’ll eat up the meters and with just 52kg he won’t know how to slow down!

Read more on whether Almandin will be the fifth Melbourne Cup winner for Lloyd Williams.

Whether you’re backing or sacking our insider Melbourne Cup betting tips 2016, make sure you back your favourite to be the Melbourne Cup winner at Odds Boost pricing through Ladbrokes.com.au!