Dunaden's Melbourne Cup defence on the line early - The Australian

Stuart Honeysett and Courtney Walsh look at the form for the Melbourne Cup and ask if any locals have a hope against international entrants.

Jockey Craig Williams with his nephew Harrison, left, and son Oliver, right at the Swanston Street Melbourne Cup Parade Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: News Limited

JOCKEY Craig Williams believes the first 600 metres of tomorrow's Group I $6.2 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) will determine if Dunaden can become only the fifth horse in history to win Australia's great race in consecutive years.

Speaking after today’s Cup parade through Melbourne’s city streets, Williams said he was confident that Dunaden could carry the top weight of 59kg but acknowledged last year’s champion couldn’t afford to do too much work early in the race.

Since the Melbourne Cup was first run in 1861, only four horses have managed to win the gruelling two mile handicap twice in Archer (1861-62), Rain Lover (1968-69), Think Big (1974-75) and Makybe Diva (2003-05).

Dunaden surged to Melbourne Cup favouritism after a barnstorming run from near last to claim the Group I Caulfield Cup (2400m) but following a 1kg penalty for the win has been overtaken in the betting by another French horse and 2010 Cup winner Americain.

Dunaden’s trainer Mikel Delzangles admitted weight was the only issue that concerned him heading into tomorrow’s race. He nominated last year’s runner-up Red Cadeaux – who was beaten in the closest finish in Cup history and has a 2.5kg weight pull from last year – as his main danger.

“To carry 59kg over two miles in a 24 horse race is a problem,” Delzangles said.

“I would prefer to have a few less. But it’s fair enough. He won the Caulfield Cup.

“I know he is courageous and will try his best.”

Jockey Michael Rodd, who will be hoping to avenge last year’s second place finish on Red Cadeaux, said he wasn’t fazed by the fact that his horse will have to jump from a barrier which has never produced a Cup winner in over 150 years.

“You can probably do a breakdown of that and find what horses came out of 18 and what their chances were in the past but I’m not into all that sort of stuff,” Rodd said.

“I’ll just ride the race as it pans out and barriers are pretty insignificant once I get over one off the fence.

“Before last year’s Cup it had to run in some unsuitable races just to try and qualify for the race. This year straight away after running second last year his target has been the Cup tomorrow.

“His preparation has been perfect and the horse just looks a million dollars. He’s an absolute picture. (Trainer) Ed’s (Dunlop) very happy and if Ed’s happy I’m happy.

“If we have a bit of luck he can definitely put himself there.”