Live coverage of today's Melbourne Cup - Herald Sun

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The Melbourne Cup is so big even Ron Burgundy reports on it, despite being unsure what exactly a Melbourne Cup is...

Champion jockey Jim Cassidy believes his Melbourne Cup ride Hawkspur is the right horse to win the famous race.

Ben Damon is joined by Darren Beadman and Jim Cassidy to put the microscope on the leading chances and racing identities that shape the race that stops a nation.

Ben Damon is joined by Darren Beadman and Jim Cassidy to put the microscope on the leading chances and racing identities that shape the race that stops a nation.

Green Moon is out to make it back-to-back Melbourne Cups. Picture: Aaron Francis Source: The Australian

IT'S the race that stops a nation and our all-day blog has you covered with the latest news, betting and late mail ahead of the Melbourne Cup at 3pm (AEDT).

The Gai Waterhouse-trained Fiorente remains favourite for the $6.2 million Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) and is placed to perfection to deliver racing's first lady her maiden win in the race after finishing as the bridesmaid on three previous occasions.

Owner Lloyd Williams saddles up a quarter of the 24-horse field with last year's winner Green Moon, Caulfield Cup hero Fawkner, Sea Moon, Mourayan, Seville and Masked Marvel out to secure Williams his fifth victory in the great race.

Dunaden and Red Cadeaux, who fought out the closest finish in Cup history in 2011, lead a nine-horse European invasion aiming to take the Cup and the $3.6 million first prizemoney home.