1 – Big Orange: Doing well in overseas group 2 events since running fifth in last year's Melbourne Cup. A front runner, but he dawdled, albeit from a wide gate. Being a six-year-old, the gelding should be primed and won the Goodwood Cup last start. If the race was run in Europe, keen judges there figure he would be favourite. A chance but I'm not so enthusiastic.
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Racing editor Patrick Bartley previews the 2016 Melbourne Cup, finding the field for this year's 3200m handicap remarkably even.
2 – Our Ivanhowe: Has the benefit of being prepared by Lee and Anthony Freedman. Struck trouble in the Melbourne Cup last year on a too-hard surface, otherwise would have finished closer. Can improve on his recent sixth in the Caulfield Cup, particularly if it's wet.
3 – Curren Mirotic: A nine-year-old, which is a no-no because that age has yet to be successful. Also sporting bandages for the first time. Reports indicate he will go fast and Japanese stayers are regarded as the best in the world. But not for me.
4 – Bondi Beach: Prepared by Aiden O'Brien and getting rave reviews this season, the five-year-old struck severe interference in the Melbourne Cup last year and is a much stronger stayer now, as shown by his four subsequent races in Ireland. Drawn perfectly in five and has the services of Ryan Moore, regarded in Europe as the best jockey in the world. Obviously a contender.
5 - Exospheric: Being a five-year-old, the stallion is still on the rise and won't fall short on class, confirmed by his third in the Caulfield Cup last start with scope for major improvement. Having his first attempt at 3200 metres but with Lee Freedman involvement in his preparation and Damien Oliver in the saddle, he will make a bold showing.
6 – Hartnell: Chief handicapper Greg Carpenter reckons he is weighted "four lengths light". Two starts back, Hartnell won the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington in dynamic fashion, beating Jameka, before going down to Winx in the Cox Plate, which is still rated as a good trial. Failed in two previous metric two-mile attempts but is much better now. Selected.
7 - Who Shot Thebarman: An eight-year-old and seasoned two-miler having his third Melbourne Cup attempt. Certainly his previous two have been strong, including a third in 2014. The gelding was runner-up in the recent Moonee Valley Cup, indicating trainer Chris Waller has him tuned for the engagement. Not placed in top four but a bold showing expected.
8 – Wicklow Brave: Carries the polish of Willie Mullins, regarded as an exceptional Irish horseman. Mullins prepared Max Dynamite, second in the Melbourne Cup last year under Frankie Dettori. An Irish St Leger win last start encourages respect. From barrier 24, he will be worth watching. Dubious about his top-four prospects but superior navigation could elevate him.
9 – Almoonqith: Successful over the distance and was rated by some as the best Melbourne Cup trial to come out of the Caulfield Cup. Has been given the right foundation by the David Hayes team but class is questionable. Some of the better-fancied stayers would need an off day to get him into the major money.
10 – Gallante: Sydney Cup winner over the Randwick 3200 metres. Ran into the ground leading last start in the Moonee Valley Cup. Lloyd Williams is the overlord of his campaign and he's a Melbourne Cup specialist. For that reason, he cannot be wiped, but class is a query.
11 – Grand Marshal: At his best in the wet but a real two-miler. Another victim of interference in the Melbourne Cup last year. Won the Moonee Valley Cup recently in a manner suggesting Chris Waller has him spot on for this. He could surprise but class is a concern.
12 – Jameka: Query about the 3200-metre journey, but it was the same with the 2400 metres of the Caulfield Cup and the four-year-old bolted in. A topliner and at some stage she is expected to look the winner. Nick Hall, from barrier three, will give her the run of the race.
13 – Heartbreak City: Mixes hurdles and flat racing in Ireland and the UK successfully. Won at York last start, which is a useful credential. Has drawn barrier 23 but that should not prove a problem for the magic man, jockey Joao Moreira. Trainer Tony Martin is a renowned plonk merchant, winning when the money is on.
14 – Sir John Hawkwood: Didn't handle the track in the Caulfield Cup last start but previous form including a win in The Metrop at Randwick was reasonable. This is more demanding but the gelding has been working very strongly at Flemington. Perhaps top 10, considering the odds.
15 – Excess Knowledge: Good seventh in the Melbourne Cup last year but hardly going as well. Moderate fourth in the Moonee Valley Cup recently when not suited by the conditions. Could do better, a point Gai Waterhouse is encouraging.
16 – Beautiful Romance: One of the Godolphin five. An improving mare beaten in listed company at Newmarket on September 23 but has acted in the top class. The one gate and the talented Damian Lane in the saddle could have her in the race for a long way but I prefer the locals.
17 – Almandin: German stayer who didn't race for two years but has won his past two here against questionable opposition. With the Lloyd Williams influence on ground level and Kerrin McEvoy riding he should be considered. Definitely top 10.
18 – Assign: Drawn 22 and expected to go forward under Kate Mallyon. Like others carrying the Lloyd Williams colours he is ready for the engagement but whether he is good enough is a query. Being a six-year-old he could reach a new peak but only scored narrowly at Caulfield last start against moderates.
19 – Grey Lion: Being in the promising category the five-year-old could improve on his second in the Geelong Cup in which he lost a plate during the running. He went down by only a long head to Qewy and beat top hope Oceanographer home, albeit on a biased track.
20 – Oceanographer: Another Godolphin candidate who has been racing against the B class stayers here. Will be having his third race inside a month a concern for the trainer. However the gelding's last 200 metres, scoring in the Lexus at Flemington on Saturday, was so good he must be a major chance.
21- Secret Number: Came here for the Melbourne Cup last year but missed a run and beaten in the much weaker Queen's Cup at Flemington. Won at Doonside in September but tested at this grade.
22 – Pentathlon: Trained by John Wheeler, a master with horses over extreme distances. Has been successful over 3200 metres but doubt his class here particularly following his failure in the Lexus at Flemington on Saturday.
23 – Qewy: Led all the way to take the Geelong Cup with another Godolphin stayer Oceanographer behind him on a front-runner's track. European form indicates he would be better placed in hurdles but he will run out the distance. It's a matter of at what speed.
24 - Rose Of Virginia: Second in the Auckland Cup over the 3200 metres in March but her recent Australian efforts are below a standard that entitles her to be odds to be under $100. Being a seven-year-old the mare is obviously past the stage of improvement.
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