Melbourne Cup guide: Start time, how to watch, odds, who are the favourites

There’s something special about this year’s edition of the Melbourne Cup as a red-hot favourite follows in Phar Lap’s footsteps.

Brett Prebble will be hoping to ride Incentivise to Melbourne Cup glory. (Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

The Melbourne Cup is almost here and we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about the race that stops the nation.

Incentivise is a red-hot favourite to win, paying $2.50 with the TAB after drawing barrier 16 on Saturday.

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It makes the Peter Moody-trained stayer the shortest priced Melbourne Cup favourite since legendary horse Phar Lap 91 years ago. In 1930, Phar Lap won the prestigious Australian race at $1.73 and in 1929 finished third as the $2 favourite.

A crowd of 10,000 fully vaccinated spectators will be at Flemington to cheer on the runners come Tuesday at 3pm, as Victorians receive more freedoms while the state opens up from lockdown.

Under the restrictions that will still be in place, punters will be separated into different seating zones, with food and drinks only being served as part of table service. Masks will also be mandatory.

Click here to check out our ultimate runner-by-runner form guide. Everything else you need to know about the Melbourne Cup you’ll find below.

What time is the race?

Perth — 12pm

Darwin — 1:30pm

Brisbane — 2pm

Adelaide — 2:30pm

Melbourne — 3pm

Sydney — 3pm

Canberra — 3pm

Hobart — 3pm

How far is the race?

It’s 3200m from start to finish at Flemington.

Race day schedule (all times AEDT)

10.45am — Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m)

11.20am — The Macca’s Run (2800m)

12pm — Subzero Handicap (1400m)

12.40pm — Furphy Plate (1800m)

1.20pm — Grinders Coffee Roasters Trophy (1400m)

1.55pm — Schweppervescence Plate (1000m)

3pm — Melbourne Cup (3200m)

4pm — The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m)

4.40pm — TAB Trophy (1800m)

5.15pm — MSS Security Sprint (1200m)

Peter Moody has Incentivise in prime condition. (George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

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

Prize Money

1st: $4.4 million

2nd: $1.1 million

3rd: $550,000

4th: $350,000

5th: $230,000

6th-12th: $160,000

We’ll witness something special at Flemington on Tuesday. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

TAB odds (win/place)

1. Twilight Payment — $12/$3.60

2. Incentivise — $2.50/$1.45

3. Spanish Mission — $9/$2.90

4. Verry Elleegant — $12/$3.60

5. Explosive Jack — $41/$10

6. The Chosen One — $51/$12

7. Delphi — $34/$8

8. Ocean Billy — $81/$17

9. Selino — $71/$16

10. Johnny Get Angry — $71/$16

11. Knights Order — $151/$26

12. Persan — $34/$8

13. Carif — $151/$26

14. Master of Wine — $71/$16

15. Pondus — $41/10

16. Grand Promenade — $19/$5

17. Miami Bound — $101/$20

18. Port Guillaume — $126/$24

19. She’s Ideel — $81/$17

20. Future Score — $201/$35

21. Tralee Rose — $15/$4.20

22. Floating Artist — $16/$4.40

23. Great House — $23/$6

24. Sir Lucan — $26/$7

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

Originally published as Melbourne Cup guide: Start time, how to watch, odds, who are the favourites