Bart Cummings was as laconic as he was royalty at a racetrack. So when he wiped away a tear - though the mercurial trainer mused "I do get a bit of hay fever, you know" - after securing his 12th Melbourne Cup in 2008, you got an understanding of what this means.
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We watched as a champion became a legend when Makybe Diva secured a mesmerising Flemington hat-trick. We saw Damien Oliver point to the heavens on Media Puzzle. We've retold tales of Peter Pan defying conditions and Phar Lap emerging as a beacon of hope in the face of a depression. Who joins them in racing folklore?
WHEN IS IT?
As the clock strikes 3pm on Tuesday, Australia will stop and stare with bated breath. Ten races fill the Flemington schedule on Tuesday. The Maribyrnong Plate opens proceedings at 10.45am. The Melbourne Cup is race six. The show closes with a sprint at 5.15pm.
HOW DO I WATCH IT?
Channel 10 has struck a deal to become the host broadcaster in Australia, with coverage to begin at 10am. You can also catch the race on Racing.com - available on free-to-air TV, online, and Kayo - and Channel 10's TenPlay. Foxtel's Sky Racing broadcast the Melbourne Cup on a delay.
THE FAVOURITE
Incentivise is the shortest-priced favourite since Phar Lap, with the Peter Moody-trained gelding opening at $2.40, well clear of Spanish Mission at $9 and the remainder of the 24-horse field.
THE FORM GUIDE
Racing and Sports executive director Gary Crispe has his say on the contenders.
1. TWILIGHT PAYMENT: Last year's Melbourne Cup winner. Terrific again in Ireland this year.
2. INCENTIVISE: The new star of Australian racing and fresh off a power-packed win at Caulfield Cup. Champion in the making.
3. SPANISH MISSION: Twice a Group Two winner including this year's Yorkshire Cup. Formline demands respect.
4. VERRY ELLEEGANT: Nine-time Group One winning mare. Stayed on well in this race last year. In the finish of the Cox Plate with a softer run. Chance.
5. EXPLOSIVE JACK: ATC Derby winner. Think he will stay the trip but needs to go to another level.
6. THE CHOSEN ONE: Fourth in this race last year. Ran a poor one in the Caulfield Cup but as good as ever the week prior. One for wider multiples.
7. DELPHI: Off his game last time but a firmer surface could see him bounce back. Jockey Damien Oliver has his eye in.
8. OCEAN BILLY: Auckland Cup winner at this trip. He was okay at Caulfield and better out to two miles now but this is a lot tougher than an Auckland Cup.
9. SELINO: Sydney Cup winner in autumn. Never got into a spot to challenge at Caulfield. Going better than the form book reads.
10. JOHNNY GET ANGRY: Last year's VRC Derby winner. Out of form and makes no appeal.
11. KNIGHTS ORDER: Brisbane Cup winner. Well held here on Saturday and hard to think he could turn things around so sharply in three days.
12. PERSAN: Fifth in the race last year and back for another go. Terrific at Caulfield and set to peak here all along. Chance.
13. CARIF: Sandown Cup winner. Stays two miles but would be a surprise if he could prove good enough to get into the shake up.
14. MASTER OF WINE: Some signs of life but hasn't been good enough in the last 18 months to consider.
15. PONDUS: Not far away last time in the Gold Cup at the Valley but this is a deeper race. Needs a career best.
16. GRAND PROMENADE: Three time winner here at Flemington. Continues to thrive and will stay the two miles well.
17. MIAMI BOUND: Okay at the Valley last time, and placed in the Sydney Cup, but looks outclassed.
18. PORT GUILLAUME: Group Two winner in his native France. Yet to see anything like his French form in Australia. Hard to have.
19. SHE'S IDEEL: Group Three Kingston Town winner. Been okay in latest but this is likely to prove beyond her.
20. FUTURE SCORE: Surely not up to these and certainly doesn't have the form to be considered a winning hope.
21. TRALEE ROSE: She keeps fronting up and think she runs another big race.
22. FLOATING ARTIST: Should have won last start. Query whether that is the right form for this.
23. GREAT HOUSE: Thriving over the longer trips, genuine merit to his Derby Day win. Will be competitive.
24. SIR LUCAN: Great profile for this and must be wary of him down in the weights.
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