• Melbourne Cup 2021 Scratchings Update: #20 Future Score (15) has been withdrawn after failing a last-minute vet check by Racing Victoria.

Twenty-four of the season’s best stayers face off at HQ on Tuesday, November 2, for the iconic Group 1 $8 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) and below we take a look at the pros and cons of every runner ahead of the famous Flemington Race 7.

1. Twilight Payment (2)

Pro: Won last year and is going just as well.

Con: Has to become the first nine-year-old to win racing as a nine-year-old in Australia.

2. Incentivise (16)

Pro: Brilliant chasing a ninth straight win off a 3.5 length Caulfield Cup victory.

Con: Weight (57kg) – No Melbourne Cup winner has carried more than 56.5kg to victory since Makybe Diva (58kg) for her third in 2005.

3. Spanish Mission (14)

Pro: One of just two internationals in the mix with C. Williams aboard.

Con: Fitness concerns all week leading-up to the race.

4. Verry Elleegant (19)

Pro: Australian Racehorse of the Year with 9 Group 1 wins.

Con: Didn’t win last year, can she run 3200m?

5. Explosive Jack (4)

Pro: Triple Derby champion will run the two-miles.

Con: Has been racing below par this preparation.

6. The Chosen One (5)

Pro: Fourth last year.

Con: Fitness concerns leading-up.

7. Delphi (3)

Pro: Three-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey Damien Oliver booked to ride.

Con: Beaten 11 lengths in the Caulfield Cup last start.

8. Ocean Billy (13)

Pro: Auckland Cup winner over the 3200m in New Zealand.

Con: Ninth and nine lengths beaten at 100/1 in the Caulfield Cup.

9. Selino (24)

Pro: Waller-trained two-mile winner of the Sydney Cup in the autumn.

Con: Barrier 24 of 24.

10. Johnny Get Angry (22)

Pro: VRC Derby winner here last spring.

Con: Nearly 50 lengths beaten his last two starts.

11. Knights Order (9)

Pro: Group 2 Brisbane Cup winner over 3200m in the winter by nearly five lengths.

Con: Poor lead-up runs including seventh to Great House in last Saturday’s Lexus.

12. Persan (11)

Pro: Caulfield Cup third was solid and fifth in this race last year.

Con: Up in weight and more of a place hope than anything.

13. Carif (8)

Pro: Team Snowden-trained and won the Sandown Cup at the distance last year.

Con: Last start 7^th in a Listed race (albeit with 59kg) in Sydney doesn’t bode well.

14. Master Of Wine (6)

Pro: Light-weight (52.5kg) and surprise third in The Bart Cummings two back.

Con: Far from his best and 12^th in the Caulfield Cup with the same weight.

15. Pondus (1)

Pro: Lloyd Williams’ import formerly from the Joesph O’Brien stables in Ireland looks on the improve third-up.

Con: Needs to stay out of trouble from barrier one with Rachel King aboard. Only one previous female hoop has won the race (Michelle Payne).

16. Grand Promenade (21)

Pro: Excellent winning The Bart Cummings for the Maher/Eustace stable.

Con: Genuine queries about the two miles.

17. Miami Bound (17)

Pro: VRC Oaks winner in 2019 and was far from disgraced fifth in the Moonee Valley Cup.

Con: Not quite up to this grade and needs a wet track to present any value.

18. Port Guillaume (23)

Pro: One of the fan favourites with CF sufferer Harry Coffey in the saddle, crowd will be getting behind.

Con: Dead last in The Bart Cummings and 10^th in the Caulfield Cup.

19. She’s Ideel (20)

Pro: Has been competitive at this level before and light-weight (52kg).

Con: Spring form has left plenty to be desired ahead of a much tougher assignment here.

20. Future Score (15) – SCRATCHED

Pro: Could be a few omens bets as he’s the 150/1 outsider in the Melbourne Cup markets.

Con: Looks completely outclassed and unlikely to finish inside the first half.

21. Tralee Rose (12)

Pro: Geelong Cup winning mare was excellent in that, has improvement and boasts a brilliant Flemington record.

Con: Only 12 individual mares in 160 years have won the race, it takes a good one.

22. Floating Artist (10)

Pro: Appealing Maher/Eustace 50kg runner coming off the devastatingly close Moonee Valley Cup second.

Con: Needs to run out the distance.

23. Great House (7)

Pro: Impressive Lexus Stakes winner on Derby Day carrying 57.5kg and drops 7.5kg here.

Con: Shocking (2009) was last to do the Lexus – Melbourne Cup double.

24. Sir Lucan (18)

Pro: Camelot four-year-old is the right age on debut in Australia for the Waterhouse/Bott stable profiles similar to some of the past international champions in this race.

Con: 14 lengths beaten in the St Leger (2922m) at Doncaster last time out and is yet to race in Australia.

Think you’ve picked out the value in this year’s Melbourne Cup? Head to Ladbrokes.com.au now for all the best markets on the famous two-mile showdown!