The official 2019 Melbourne Cup barrier draw has been completed with the Lindsay Park-trained import and early favourite in betting Constantinople coming up trumps with gate seven.

The Irish raider was installed as the $7.00 favourite in Ladbrokes’ All-In Melbourne Cup market after running fourth in the Caulfield Cup a fortnight ago behind rivals Mirage Dancer, Vow And Declare and Mer De Glace.

Mer De Glace is out to complete the Caulfield Cup – Melbourne Cup double in the race that stops a nation on Tuesday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Makybe Diva was the last horse to win the Cup from barrier seven in 2004, while Mer De Glace, who won the Caulfield Cup by a length from Vow and Declare, drew barrier two. The five-year-old is the only other single-digit chance in the race as Damian Lane hopes to become the first jockey to win the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup three-peat.

Following the impressive Japanese stayer is the Danny O’Brien-trained Vow And Declare, who drew wide in gate 21. Jockey Craig Williams will once again saddle the four-year-old by Declaration Of War as he hopes to ride his first Melbourne Cup winner.

Last year’s winner Cross Counter has drawn barrier 5 and remains a $15.00 chance on the third line of betting. Like last year, Charlie Appleby has opted not to give his prized stayer a leadup run in Australia after finishing fourth last start in the Group 1 Irish St Leger (2816). Barrier five has been the most successful gate in Cup history totalling eight wins, most recently with Fiorente in 2013.

Elsewhere, Constantinople heads the four-year-old’s alongside Vow And Declare, Kiwi hopeful The Chosen One and Il Paradiso. Four-year old’s have enjoyed the most success in Cup history winning 45 times, only once more than five-year-old’s.

Seven-year-old’s Mustajeer, Twilight Payment, Sound, and Prince Of Arran are the oldest runners in this year’s Melbourne Cup field. Last start Geelong Cup winner Prince Of Arran drew barrier eight, while Hugh Bowman should feel confident about barrier 19 after Cross Counter won from there last year.

There is a total of 22 internationals set to line up in this years Melbourne Cup. One of the standouts leading in was the Aidan O’Brien trained Magic Wand, but after drawing barrier 24 – a gate no horse has won from since 1973 – it’s fair to say luck wasn’t on the Irishman’s side.

Anthony Freedman will also be hoping luck can play a part for the second week in a row after Warning claimed the Victoria Derby on Saturday. Freedman will line up Steel Prince from barrier 16 – a gate Jezabeel won from in 1998.

Surprise Baby, one of the top local hopes, also struggled for luck drawing gate 20. The last start Bart Cummings (2520) winner is a $15.00 chance, followed closely by Hotham Handicap winner Downdraft ($17.00) who drew barrier 15 – a gate Silver Knight last won from in 1971.

Further up in the market is Finche, one of two Chris Waller chances. Six-year-old’s have won the Melbourne Cup 33 times as the British import looks a serious chance from barrier four at the $10.00 mark.

Youngstar is Waller’s other chance from barrier nine fresh from a place in the St Leger Stakes (2600m) at Randwick last start. Finally, The Chosen One turned out to be the unlucky one after drawing barrier 18 – a gate no horse has ever won from.

Full 2019 Melbourne Cup odds can be viewed here.

2019 Lexus Melbourne Cup Field