Melbourne Cup 2021: All you need to know about the race that stops two nations

It's the first Tuesday of November and that means it's Melbourne Cup day.

It's billed as a race that stops a nation but it has a big impact on this side of the Tasman too.

First run in 1861, the tradition of the Cup is still going strong.

As you mull over your one in 24 chance of winning the office sweepstake, check out the answers to all of your critical questions for Tuesday's big race.

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What time does the Cup race start?

The Melbourne Cup jumps at 5pm (New Zealand time) but it usually runs a couple of minutes late. For betting purposes, the meeting number is seven and the Cup is race number seven.

How many New Zealand-trained runners are in the Cup?

One: The Cambridge-based training partnership of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman have The Chosen One (no. 6) – who ran fourth in the big race last year – back in the field. Sired by former Cox Plate winner Savabeel and bred by the Dennis brothers in Southland, The Chosen One will be having his third and most likely last start in the Cup.

Can the New Zealand-trained horse win?

Why not? Didn't settle in his last start 14th in the Caulfield Cup on October 16 but previous to that ran a second, a third and a fourth in his four starts across the ditch in his current campaign. Provided he settles this time around, he’ll see out the 3200m trip no worries at all. Ran fourth as a $51 shot last year and the bookies have him at $41 for the 2021 Cup.

Are there any New Zealand-owned horses in the Cup?

Yes, aside from The Chosen One, there is the pride of Rotorua, Ocean Billy (no. 8), who has been transferred to ex-pat Kiwi Chris Waller’s stable due to Covid-19 restrictions preventing regular trainer Bill Pomare from getting to Australia. This year’s Auckland Cup winner – over the same 3200m distance as the Melbourne Cup – ran ninth in the Caulfield Cup. Pomare races Ocean Billy with his wife Suzi and friend Peter Ludgate. Auckland trainer, Nick Bishara, who trained Verry Elleegant (no. 4) for her first three starts in New Zealand, still holds a share in the star mare who finished seventh in the Cup last year.

Will crowds be allowed to attend Flemington this year?

A crowd of 10,000 will be at Flemington this year after no crowd was allowed last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Nothing like the pre-Covid-19 numbers that got close to 100,000 punters on track.

Who are the favourites?

The Peter Moody trained Incentivise (no. 2) was as short as $2.30 on Friday but has drifted to $2.70 after drawing barrier 16. The Caulfield Cup winner will be shooting for his 10th win on the trot and is the only runner the bookies have in single figures. International raider Spanish Mission (no. 3) is second favourite for this year’s Cup at $10. Expect those odds to change as the day goes on and more money is wagered on the race.

Will the favourite win?

It's rare for the favourite to win the Melbourne Cup. Fiorente was the last favourite to win and that was back in 2013. He was the first favourite to win since Makybe Diva won the third of her Cups in 2005. In summary, there are never any guarantees in the Melbourne Cup so your guess is as good as ours.

Are there any Kiwi jockeys in the race?

Yes, three former Kiwi jockeys who began their careers in New Zealand before shifting to greener pastures across the ditch will ride in the 2021 Cup: James McDonald rides no. 4 Verry Elleegant. Michael Dee will be aboard no. 23 Great House and Daniel Stackhouse is on no. 11 Knights Order.

Where is Michael Walker?

The popular Kiwi jockey has never won the Cup but has come almighty close with multiple placings aboard horses such as Criterion and Prince Of Arran but is currently on the sidelines. Walker suffered a horrific leg injury in a race fall back in May with doctors initially fearing they may have to amputate his leg. Three surgeries in five days have helped Walker to have the prospect of a full recovery and he now hopes to be back riding in 2022.

Are there any other Kiwi connections?

Yes, ex-pat Kiwi trainer Chris Waller – who was the trainer of champion racehorse Winx – has three horses in the race. Verry Elleegant (no.4) won the 2020 Caulfield Cup and will be a genuine chance, with McDonald onboard, at odds of 14-1. Waller also starts Selino (no. 9) at $41 and Great House (no.23) at $17. Also, Murray Baker’s son Bjorn Baker – who started his training career in New Zealand before launching a training base in Sydney – lines up outsider She's Ideel (no. 19) in this year's Cup.

What will the weather do?

It could be the warmest Melbourne Cup day in a while. The temperature is tipped to reach a top of 29 degrees with no rain in sight. Some cloud cover will appear in the afternoon with some light north-northeasterly winds.

Is last year's winner Twilight Payment running?

Yes. He is no.1 and as the third favourite is paying $11 to go back-to-back. He does carry the top-weight of 58kg though. Last year he carried 55.5kg to victory.

How long is the race?

The Melbourne Cup is contested over 3200 metres (two miles). The 24 runners will run down the Flemington straight and will have a lap to run when they reach the winning post.

How long will it take?

The Cup should be run and won in around three minutes and 20 seconds.

How many horses are in the race?

Twenty-four runners will start the race.

How much does the winner get?

Tuesday’s Cup winner will earn a whopping A$4.4 million (NZ$4.68m) when it passes the winning post.

How much prizemoney is on offer all up?

A$8 million (NZ$$8.4m)will be shared between the top placed runners.

Who was the last Kiwi jockey to win the race?

Jimmy Cassidy, aboard Might and Power in 1997.

How many horses in the race were bred in New Zealand?

Seven: Verry Elleegant (no. 4), Explosive Jack (no. 5), The Chosen One (no. 6), Ocean Billy (no. 8), Johnny Get Angry (no. 10), Miami Bound (no. 17) and Tralee Rose (no. 21).

How many New Zealand horses have won the race?

New Zealand-bred horses have won 43, of which 16 were also New Zealand-trained.

When was the last time a New Zealand bred-horse won?

Prince of Penzance in 2015. It was a historic moment when Michelle Payne became the first female to win the race. Payne has strong connections to New Zealand through her father Paddy and her late mother, Mary, who moved to Ballarat from Hawera before she was born.