Melbourne Cup favourite Incentivise drifted slightly in betting after drawing barrier 16 for the great two-mile race that stops a nation.
Still, it’s expected to jump as the shortest priced Cup favourite since the legend Phar Lap, with bookmakers offering little more than $2.60 for Incentivise to take out the $7.75 million Flemington feature.
The furthest inside barrier was drawn by Pondus. Barrier 1 last tasted victory when Michelle Payne famously rode long-shot Prince Of Penzance to victory in 2015.
The furthest outside – barrier 24 – has been picked up by Selino at Saturday’s barrier draw. Brew was the last horse to win from the furthest out in the field in 2000.
Bookmakers are almost certain Incentivise will win the Cup, with only Spanish Mission (barrier 14) and Twilight Payment (barrier 2) given a hope in the market.
The dreaded barrier 18 – the only barrier never to have won a Melbourne Cup since barriers were introduced in 1924 – will hold Sir Lucan.
Barrier 5 has been the Cup’s most successful barrier, producing eight winners, and The Chosen One has landed that dream draw.
Barriers 6, 15, 18, 23, and 24 have not produced a Melbourne Cup winner since 1983.
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Geelong Cup winner Tralee Rose has drawn perfectly in barrier 12, according to trainer Symon Wilde who spoke to racing expert Richard Bensley.
“There are horses in there that have much better form than she does, with the internationals and Incentivise as well,” Wilde said.
“I don’t think she’s the roughest… beautiful barrier, the preparation couldn’t be better, and she’s really looking for the two miles.”
2021 MELBOURNE CUP FIELD
1 Twilight Payment (58kg) – barrier 2
2 Incentivise (57kg) – barrier 16
3 Spanish Mission (57kg) – barrier 14
4 Verry Elleegant (57kg) – barrier 19
5 Explosive Jack (54kg) – barrier 4
6 The Chosen One (54kg) – barrier 5
7 Delphi (53.5kg) – barrier 3
8 Ocean Billy (53.5kg) – barrier 13
9 Selino (53.5kg) – barrier 24
10 Johnny Get Angry (53kg) – barrier 22
11 Knights Order (53kg) – barrier 9
12 Persan (53kg) – barrier 11
13 Carif (52.5kg) – barrier 8
14 Master Of Wine (52.5kg) – barrier 6
15 Pondus (52.5kg) – barrier 1
16 Grand Promenade (52kg) – barrier 21
17 Miami Bound (52kg) – barrier 17
18 Port Guillaume (52kg) – barrier 23
19 She’s Ideel (52kg) – barrier 20
20 Future Score (51.5kg) – barrier 15
21 Tralee Rose (51kg) – barrier 12
22 Floating Artist (50kg) – barrier 10
23 Great House (50kg) – barrier 7
24 Sir Lucan (50kg) – barrier 18