WILL Ireland come out on top Down Under in the 'race that stops a nation'?
Genius Irish trainer Willie Mullins' Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot hero Vauban is the red-hot favourite for the Melbourne Cup (4am UK time).
Victory is worth around £2.4million – but a whole host of big names will be out in force to stop him.
Defending champ Gold Trip will look to make it 2-2 while former British-trained runner Without A Fight is being backed by punters.
Here, Templegate reveals his pick for the big race – and a tip for every contest on the card.
Templegate's Melbourne Cup tip and 1-2-3-4 prediction
It’s hard to believe that a horse who didn’t have enough pace to catch Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle should be such a hot favourite for Australia’s biggest Flat race.
But Vauban was hugely impressive when winning the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot before matching that form with a Group 3 win at Naas.
He has been backed into a short-priced favourite and has the world’s best jockey in Ryan Moore on board.
It may seem silly to question his stamina given he’s a Grade 1 winner over timber but this is the longest trip he’s tackled on the Flat and the race will be run at breakneck pace.
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He will be in the mix but there are others with a big say at longer odds.
SOULCOMBE will be a huge threat provided he doesn’t get himself too far back early on as he did in the Caulfield Cup last time.
He has yet to be out of the frame in three runs at Flemington and Joao Moreira can win the Melbourne Cup on his own Frankie Dettori-style farewell tour.
Last year’s winner Gold Trip is having his third run in 17 days and has been very well supported despite his big weight. It will be a huge effort to follow up.
Don’t rule out Hollie Doyle making the frame at a big price on Future History who ran a cracker over a staying trip last time and has little lead in the saddle.
Caulfield Cup winner Without A Fight has been stung with a wide draw but has improved since moving to his current trainer and has a live chance.
CUP PICKS
1st Soulcombe
2nd Without A Fight
3rd Vauban
4th Future History
Templegate's Melbourne Cup day tips
Race 1: ADMITTED looks the one to beat after his impressive debut win last time. He has the edge on Dublin Down again who chased him home that day.
Blue Stratum’s work reports have been positive and he looks best of the newcomers.
Race 2: MR MAESTRO is dropping down from Grade 1 company and has an excellent Flemington record with two wins from two starts over this course and distance.
He’s getting weight from most of his rivals too. Forgot You has run below par on all starts at the track so the bigger threat may be Pounding who has been holding his own at the highest level.
Race 3: AZTEC STATE was an unlucky loser at Caulfield last time. He was bombing along but had the door slammed in his face. He looks the one to beat.
Natural Deduction looks likely to stay after a good win over just a furlong shorter last time out.
Race 4: REVALENE has shown plenty of promise on his two runs, finishing second each time.
He didn’t get the clearest of runs last time and will have learned from the experience. Wiggum likes to go from the front and may take plenty of pegging back.
Race 5: INSULATION has been crying out for this longer trip and has a good low weight here.
He was staying on over two furlongs shorter at Caulfield last time and ran well on his last visit to Flemington.
Mr Waterville has the wide draw to worry about but the Magic Man Joao Moreira is on board which is a major plus.
Race 6: LOVE TAP won this 12 months ago and is back with a similar weight on his back.
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He has been laid out for this race having had a prep race over an inadequate trip at Randwick a couple of weeks ago.
Berkshire Breeze had useful form in the UK when with Andrew Balding and can go close under Tom Marquand.
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