Melbourne Cup winners Green Moon and Dunaden certainly not out of equation despite lack of interest

BOTH have big weights and aren't getting much love from the punters, but ignore the champions at your peril.

Dunaden jockey Jamie Spencer (left) and Dunaden trainer Mikel Delzangles speak during the 2013 Melbourne Cup parade at Federatio

BOTH have big weights and aren't getting much love from the punters, but ignore the champions at your peril.

That is the Cup Day message from the Dunaden and Green Moon camps.

The winners of the past two Melbourne Cups are $35 outsiders with TAB fixed odds, a reflection of the depth of the field and the burden of their handicaps.

But there is also a groundswell.

Ed Dunlop, trainer of Red Cadeaux, who was nosed out by Dunaden in 2011, said his horse can't win but Dunaden had a terrific chance.

"Mine is at big odds and fair enough, but Dunaden is in cracking form in Europe. I cannot believe the odds,'' Dunlop said.

Nor can Dunaden's trainer, Mikel Delzangles.

Dunaden is walked by Mathieu Brasme during trackwork ahead of the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Getty Images

The 2011 champ is buidding to become the oldest winner - and only the third eight-year-old in history - to snare the Cup since Catalogue in 1938.

Dunaden hasn't had a start in Australia this campaign but Delzangles remained confident.

"He's had a very nice season this year and I've kept him fresh for the big race this time. He's in great form,'' the Frenchman said.

"If there is a problem tomorrow, might be the weight, not the age.

"I think he's in very good form, like he was two years ago, he could be even stronger but he's carrying more weight, too.

"He's well, he's fresh and happy"

Jockey Brett Prebble said Green Moon felt a "bigger, stronger'' horse than a year ago.

Brett Prebble riding Green Moon (white cap) is congratulated by James McDonald aboard Fiorente as he wins the 2012 Melbourne Cup. Picture: Getty Images

He said the use of blinkers for the first time on Green Moon was "the ace up our sleeve''.

"For me, he's done nothing wrong,'' Prebble said.

"The distance of his races and the tempos have been all wrong for him. To me he's going better than he was last year.

"The weight is the worry but I've got no worries with the horse.''

Delzangles said barrier one was a big plus for Dunaden.

"With his weight (58.5kg), you don't want to be making any spare ground, although barrier one can at times be a bit tricky for luck,'' he said.

"He will need the perfect run to be any chance but, from that barrier, he gets the chance. Sometimes you need to be lucky.''