The race that stops two nations is fast approaching, as the cream of the crop from across the world flock to Flemington to do battle at the Melbourne Cup.
But the big question remains - who do you bet on and, more importantly, how do you win the office sweepstakes?
Melbourne Cup race caller Matt Hill spoke to Andrew Gourdie and James McOnie on RadioLIVE’s Sunday Sports to provide his hottest tips on who will triumph on Tuesday.
Yucatan
Hill is locked in on this horse, but admits he doesn't normally go with the bookies.
"Don’t get me wrong, I hate tipping the favourite, but I like the favourite [Yucatan] here," said Hill.
"The wide draw [23] shouldn’t matter, because it's 1000 metres straight before they turn."
Hill says there's a group of international horses who are a different class that should come to the fore, and Yucatan is one of them.
"I just can't get that Caulfield [Herbert Power Stakes] run out of my head.
"That win left experts at Caulfield gobsmacked," he said. "I just hope he hasn't left it all on the track there."
Rostropovich
Hill gives the Irish-trained horse a big shot.
"Rostropovich is an interesting horse - he has a nice form line overseas."
"He's had the one hit-out in Australia in the Cox Plate. It certainly wasn't his Grand Final.
With a lightweight jockey on his back, Hill believes Rostropovich will be a "real danger".
Magic Circle
Hill says the British horse has an incredible ability to produce a turn of foot over a long distance.
"He was so impressive in his win at the Chester Cup," he said. "He was at the end of 3800m and he just raced away like he just started."
Hill gives Magic Circle a "real chance".
Ventura Storm
Hill likes Ventura Storm as a horse with high odds.
"I don't know if he can place, but he can be top 10," he said. "He's a horse that loves Flemington and loves storming home from the back."
Hill thinks, if it's a slow race, look for Ventura Storm to fly home in front of a massive crowd.
Kiwi trainer Chris Waller has three horses running in the great race. Hill assesses their chances below.
Who Shot Thebarman
One of the most well-known names in New Zealand racing, Hill thinks Who Shot Thebarman will get a lot of love because of his name and following, but he's not a fan himself.
"He's a grey beard now, he said. "He's been a great servant of the Melbourne Cup.
"It's great to have him in the field, but he won't win."
Finche
Hill likes the look of Finche and reckons the good form lines from Britain will serve well for the great race. He’s an "interesting horse with some sort of a hope".
"He's a top-10 chance."
Youngstar
Hill thinks Youngstar is the best of Waller's three horses and with a lightweight on board, she has a really good chance of victory.
"She ran well in a slow Caulfield Cup and was the one attacking the line in a very slow race.
"She’s more than a top-10 chance," he said. "She's a winning chance."
The Melbourne Cup is set to jump on Tuesday, November 6 at 5pm (NZT).
Newshub.
