Melbourne Cup 2021 guide: Full field of runners confirmed

The race that stops a nation has finally arrived — and we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about the Melbourne Cup.

The race that stops a nation is almost here — and this year, there will be some spectators in the stands.

The Victorian Government has confirmed a crowd of 10,000 vaccinated people will be allowed into Flemington to celebrate the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday. It’ll represent a big change to last year’s event, when Covid prevented punters from attending.

But in the days leading up to the annual event, the iconic race has been embroiled in drama.

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On Wednesday, international raider Away He Goes was ruled out with a tendon injury.

And earlier in the week, a CT scanner at Werribee, the machine used to check a horse’s fitness and detect any unknown injuries, broke down, meaning 16 of the final acceptors for the race were yet to be examined.

The 2021 Melbourne Cup will get underway at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday, November 2 with $8 million in prize money up for grabs.

Melbourne Cup field 2021 (horse, trainer, jockey)

1 – TWILIGHT PAYMENT 58kg, Joseph O’Brien, Jye McNeil

Barrier: 2

2 – INCENTIVISE 57kg, Peter G Moody, Brett Prebble

Barrier: 16

3 – SPANISH MISSION 57kg, Andrew Balding, Craig Williams

Barrier: 14

4 – VERRY ELLEEGANT 57kg, Chris Waller, James McDonald

Barrier: 19

5 – EXPLOSIVE JACK 54kg, Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, John Allen

Barrier: 4

6 – THE CHOSEN ONE 54kg, Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman, Damian Lane

Barrier: 5

7 – DELPHI 53.5kg, Anthony & Sam Freedman, Damien Oliver

Barrier: 3

8 – OCEAN BILLY 53.5kg, Chris Waller, Damien Thornton

Barrier: 13

9 – SELINO 53.5kg, Chris Waller, Ron Stewart

Barrier: 24

10 – JOHNNY GET ANGRY 53kg, Denis Pagan, Lachlan King

Barrier: 22

11 – KNIGHTS ORDER 53kg, Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, Daniel Stackhouse

Barrier: 9

12 – PERSAN 53kg, Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, Luke Currie

Barrier: 11

13 – CARIF 52.5kg, Peter & Paul Snowden, Blaike McDougall

Barrier: 8

14 – MASTER OF WINE 52.5kg, Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes, Fred Kersley

Barrier: 6

15 – PONDUS 52.5kg, Robert Hickmott, Rachel King

Barrier: 1

16 – GRAND PROMENADE 52kg, Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, Kerrin McEvoy

Barrier: 21

17 – MIAMI BOUND 52kg, Danny O’Brien, Patrick Moloney

Barrier: 17

18 – PORT GUILLAUME 52kg, Ben & JD Hayes, Harry Coffey

Barrier: 23

19 – SHE’S IDEEL 52kg, Bjorn Baker, Craig Newitt

Barrier: 20

20 – FUTURE SCORE 51.5kg, Matt Cumani, Dean Yendall

Barrier: 15

21 – TRALEE ROSE 51kg, Symon Wilde, Dean Holland

Barrier: 12

22 - FLOATING ARTIST 50kg, Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, Teo Nugent

Barrier: 10

23 – GREAT HOUSE 50kg, Chris Waller, Teo Nugent, Michael Dee

Barrier: 7

24 – SIR LUCAN 50kg, Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, Glen Boss

Barrier: 18

What time is the race?

Perth — 12pm

Darwin — 1:30pm

Brisbane — 2pm

Adelaide — 2:30pm

Melbourne — 3pm

Sydney — 3pm

Canberra — 3pm

Hobart — 3pm

Race day schedule

10.45am — Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m)

11.20am — Schweppervescence Plate (1000m)

12pm — TAB Trophy (1800m)

12.40pm — MSS Security Sprint (1200m)

1.20pm — Subzero Handicap (1400m)

1.50pm — Grinders Coffee Roasters Trophy (1400m)

2.20pm — Furphy Plate (1800m)

3pm — Melbourne Cup (3200m)

4.40pm — The Macca’s Run (2800m)

5.15pm — The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m)

* All times AEDT

Who will win?

Australian thoroughbred Incentivise has been tipped as the favourite to win this year’s Melbourne Cup, having already won the 2021 Caulfield Cup.

Incentivise — $2.30

Spanish Mission — $7.50

Twilight Payment — $12

Verry Elleegant — $14

Floating Artist — $16

Grand Promendade — $18

Tralee Rose — $18

Sir Lucan — $21

Great House — $26

Persan $26

Delphi — $34

Pondus — $34

Explosive Jack — $41

The Chosen One — $41

Selino — $51

Johnny Get Angry — $81

Ocean Billy — $126

She’s Ideel — $126

Knights Order — $151

Carif — $151

Master of Wine — $151

Miami Bound — $151

Port Guillaume — $151

Future Score — $151

Australian thoroughbred Incentivise has been tipped as the favourite to win this year’s Melbourne Cup, having already won the 2021 Caulfield Cup. Photo by Michael Klein

What will the weather be like

It’s looking like an absolute cracker in Melbourne on Tuesday. The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting the sun will be shining and the Victorian capital will hit a top of 29C.

How to watch and listen

Channel 10 will once again be the free-to-air broadcaster for the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Foxtel’s Sky Racing will provide coverage of Melbourne Cup day, but the race that stops a nation will be shown on delay by a handful of minutes.

You will also be able to watch the race live on streaming platforms TenPlay, Racing.com and Kayo.

Meanwhile, several radio stations will be providing live commentary of the race:

— RSN Racing & Sport on 927 AM

— 3AW in Melbourne on 693 AM

— Triple M: Sydney 104.9 FM, Brisbane 104.5 FM, Adelaide 104.7 FM and Melbourne 105.1 FM

— ABC Grandstand

— SEN on 1116 AM

Will there be a crowd?

A crowd of 10,000 vaccinated people will be allowed into Flemington to celebrate the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.

No crowds at all were allowed at the event last year.

The only threat to the Melbourne Cup remains the confirmation of a crowd of 5500 being permitted into the Flemington venue for Saturday’s Victoria Derby.

If the event is a success and does not trigger a spike in infections, health authorities will push ahead with the plans for a bigger crowd on Cup day.

Prize Money

1st: $4.4 million

2nd: $1.1 million

3rd: $550,000

4th: $350,000

5th: $230,000

6th-12th: $160,000

Trainer Gai Waterhouse, Victoria Racing Club Chairman Neil Wilson and Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassador Michelle Payne pose with the Melbourne Cup. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Past Melbourne Cup Winners

2020: Twilight Payment

2019: Vow and Declare

2018: Cross Counter

2017: Rekindling

2016: Almandin

2015: Prince of Penzance

2014: Protectionist

2013: Fiorente

2012: Green Moon

2011: Dunaden

2010: Americain

2009: Shocking

2008: Viewed

2007: Efficient

2006: Delta Blues

2005: Makybe Diva

2004: Makybe Diva

2003: Makybe Diva

2002: Media Puzzle

2001: Ethereal

2000: Brew

Memorable moments

2005: Makybe Diva’s hat-trick

After claiming victories in the previous two years, the nation was eager for Makybe Diva to become the first winner of three consecutive Melbourne Cup races.

The legendary horse did just that, retiring immediately after claiming the historic hat-trick.

2008: One dozen for Cummings

Bart Cummings achieved a remarkable feat in 2008 when Viewed crossed first in the 2008 Cup — winning the trainer his 12th Melbourne Cup and etching himself in history as one of the all-time greats.

2015: First female winner

Against all odds, Michelle Payne became the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup in 2015.

Riding Prince of Penzance, Payne pulled ahead of the frontrunners with only 100m left, surprising millions.

Originally published as Melbourne Cup 2021 guide: Full field of runners confirmed