Betting tips / Editor / 31 October 2011 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

On the eve of Australia's favourite Tuesday, Kate White takes a look at how the fields are stacking up.

The first Tuesday in November.

A day when heroes are made, dreams are broken and the nation earns itself a collective hangover.

But before the corks are popped, let's take a look at who'll be putting their hands up for some Cup Day glory.

The young ladies burst onto the scene in Race 1 with the Emirates Plate (1000m) for 2y/o fillies. Mark Kavanagh missed his chance for a cup starter and will be looking for Alezan Thunder (5.1), a first start winner at Morphettville, to get the cheque. Peter Snowden also has a top chance in Applegate (5.3), while Imprimis (32) boasts some track knowledge, with a second at Flemington in her first start.

In Race 2 (1700m), Sydney trained Vintedge (6.6) and Foxstar (4.8) are the likely ones to beat, but keep an eye on former Kiwi, Smoulder (7). If the track deteriorates, look for Gail (15) to turn its form around, and Tantrum (9.2) also likes it wet.

With The Lavazza Long Black (2800m) we've got an on omen bet for the pretty boys in the Birdcage in Perfect Pecs (8.4) which is well backed at odds to win. But respect must be given to the Lloyd Williams entry, Excluded (4.6), and Gai Waterhouse's Western Symbol (6.6). Again, if the weather takes a turn for the worse, consider Adroitly (7) and even Hume (44) at big odds.

Neriani (5.2) is knocking on the door for a win and will be looking to out-perform Divorces (5.1) in the Herald Sun Stakes (1400m). Little Surfer Girl (9) also looks to be in rare form, and it's hard to overlook a Moody-Nolen chance in Saint Angers (36).

To Race 5, and over 1000m we'll see the flying Canberra horse Karuta Queen (1.56), which appears a good thing, and the heavily backed African Pulse (4.8), before Race 6 throws up some Disputes (7.2). The Snowden runner is a top chance in this race, however The Fairy's Kiss (3.9) could prove a charmed bet for many. Also consider Combat Kitty (4.7) and Secret Liaison (7.8), which is trained on track.

For the big one, there's no doubting that Americain (5.3) will be tough to beat. The French-trained defending champ is unbeaten in his last four starts and will become more of a danger if the conditions on track worsen.

There's plenty of chat about the great Aussie hope Niwot (13.5), which registered an impressive win in the Lexus Stakes, and is well drawn in barrier nine. Can John Hawkes go one better than he did with second-placed Maluckyday last year?

The Master trainer Bart is vying for his 13th Melbourne Cup with German horse Illo (25), which is attracting a fair amount of attention from punters, although the distance is of some concern, while Geelong Cup winner Dunaden (8) will be out to emulate Americain's Geelong-Melbourne quinella from last year. It's worth noting that the highly rated Jukebox Jury has beaten both Dunaden and the race favourite in Europe previously (albeit over a shorter distance).

Other top chances include Anthony Freedman's Lucas Cranach (13.5), At First Sight (15), which had a huge run in the Bendigo Cup, and the Godolphin runner Modun (28). Fox Hunt (34) is another of the international raiders touted as a particularly tough competitor, Drunken Sailor (48) is showing very nice odds and loves a slow track, and finally, wouldn't it be great to see last year's Oaks winner Shamrocker (60) return to form - she has been waiting for this trip.

It's always tough to follow a headline act, but a very nice field has been assembled for Race 8, the Johnnie Walker Stakes (1800m). Lone Command (5.1) has dropped in weight and Lamersery (6.4) looks dangerous.

In Race 9 (1200m), track specialist Eclair Mystique (14.5) is four from six at this distance, two wins from three at this track, and is taking a step up in grade. Parables (7.8) should start favourite however, but keep a watch on Stirling Grove (13), scratched on Saturday, and Spirit of Boom (10).

And finally in the last race on the cards, Under the Eiffel (6.8), Bagman (5.1) and Studley Park (6.4) look to be the top chances in the last, in a fairly open race.