Race-goers woke this morning to grey skies and cool weather, with a light shower hitting Flemington earlier this morning and another expected before the main event at 3pm. Many have arrived at the course prepared for the worst: alongside the feathery hats, strappy frocks and silk ties are plenty of umbrellas and raincoats.

As far as the gallopers go, Victoria Derby winner Efficient pulled up with a sore knee after trackwork this morning and has been scratched, the only scratching by Crikey’s publishing deadline. The cool weather could also partly explain why two of the three favourites are international horses: Tawqeet has moved out to $6, having been replaced by Yeats (Ireland) at $5, now the punters’ favourite, with Pop Rock (Japan) at $7.50. Media Puzzle was the last international to win the race in 2002.

The Age writes:

Betting is already up 9 per cent compared to last year, according to Tabcorp spokeswoman Elise Sullivan. By 9am, Victorians had placed $6.84 million on the Melbourne Cup feature race, and $9.7 million on the whole meeting, she said.

The Daily Telegraph reports:

The total bets placed by punters in Sydney up to 9am were $8.84 million across all races, with $8.09 million on Race 7, the Emirates Melbourne Cup.

And for punters here are the latest odds, courtesy of TAB Racing Victoria:

  • Yeats Win – Win $5 Place $2
  • Tawqeet – $6 $2.25
  • Pop Rock – $7.50 $2.62
  • Maybe Better – $9 $3
  • Zipping – $13 $4
  • Geordieland – $15 $4.50
  • Delta Blues – $16 $4.75
  • On a Jeune – $17 $5
  • Activation – $18 $5.25
  • Mandela – $21 $6
  • Dizelle – $26 $7.25
  • Art Success – $41 $11
  • Railings – $41 $11
  • Headturner – $61 $16
  • Kerry O’Reilly – $61 $16
  • Glistening – $71 $18.50
  • Short Pause – $126 $32.25
  • Dolphin Jo – $126 $32.25
  • Zabeat-  $126 $32.25
  • Ice Chariot – $151 $38.50
  • Demerger – $151 $38.50
  • Mahtoum – $151 $38.50
  • Land ‘n Stars – $151 $38.50
  • Efficient Scratched