The Melbourne Cup 2017 Trifecta tipping the first three stayers over the line in the famous Flemington Race 7 on Tuesday is a tough result to predict, but below are the Races.com.au team’s top Melbourne Cup horses to back in the ‘Race That Stops A Nation’.

Caulfield Cup runner-up Single Gaze is a place chance in the Races.com.au team’s 2017 Melbourne Cup Trifecta Tip. Photo: Steve Hart.

The line-up for the Group 1 $6.25 million Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) is down to 23 hopefuls after the withdrawal of veteran nine-year-old Who Shot Thebarman who was also drawn out wide in gate 20.

Melbourne Cup betting at Ladbrokes.com.au features two single-figure fancies with Hughie Morrison’s dour stayer from the UK Marmelo the firming $8 favourite, while the Lloyd Williams-raced defending champ Almandin is out to $9.50 to go back-to-back in the two mile classic.

There has also been early Melbourne Cup money on the Aidan O’Brien-trained Caulfield Cup third placed Irish raider Johannes Vermeer ($12 into $10), while the Darren Weir-trained Cox Plate runner-up Humidor is out to $10 to handle the rise in distance this week.

Earlier we published our comprehensive 2017 Melbourne Cup Form Guide & Betting Preview, our insider tips below based on the facts and stats uncovered there.

1^st

#6 Red Cardinal ($19)

Going for a bit of value in the Melbourne Cup field, which has proved successful plenty of times in recent history, and tipping German raider Red Cardinal to overcome the wide alley and salute. Barrier 23 is a nightmare, but the Cup can be won from out wide and it makes the price juicy. Trainer Andreas Wohler won with protectionist in 2014 and he has a genuine chance again with last year’s winning hoop Kerrin McEvoy chasing his third win aboard this six-year-old. Super consistent in Europe and while history shows internationals don’t win first-up, think this proven stayer who is undefeated over two miles can surprise and turn the tables on Marmelo fresh after running fifth to the subsequent Caulfield Cup sixth-placegetter in the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay (3000m) on August 20 in France.

2^nd

#5 Marmelo ($8)

Marmelo is now favourite in Melbourne Cup betting, money coming for Hugh Bowman’s ride since his slashing Caulfield Cup sixth where he ran all the best late sectionals over the mile and a half. The step-up to two miles is going to suit even more and that Prix Kergoraly form has held in a number of recent Melbourne Cup results. Genuine chance to salute for the punters from barrier 16 carrying 55kg.

3^rd

#19 Single Gaze ($41)

Loved the Caulfield Cup second by Nick Olive’s Group 1 winning mare who is all heart. Nothing in her pedigree says she stays, but she was good over the 2400m and can surprise even though she isn’t in the Melbourne Cup weights all that well as a mare with 53kg. She’ll get a gun run from barrier 11 however and has place claims.

Whether you’re backing or sacking our 2017 Melbourne Cup Tips make sure you’ve got access to the best odds on the world’s richest handicap online at Ladbrokes.com.au.