With just a few hours to go before the 2014 Melbourne Cup kicks off, Mutual Regard, Fawkner and Lucia Valentina are getting a lot of support from the punters.
Racegoers enjoy the Melbourne Cup in style. Photo: Eddie Jim
Mutual Regard has been wound in from $11 to $9 while a lot of money has also come in for Fawkner overnight with the Robert Hickmott-trained gelding now at $7.50 from $8.50, according to online bookmaker Sportsbet.
Fawkner now shares the third line of betting with Protectionist and Signoff.
Late money is coming for Lucia Valentina. Photo: Eddie Jim
And Lucia Valentina has shortened to $7 after being $7.50 overnight.
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The punters have deserted Admire Rakt4i who has drifted from $5.50 to $6.
But the Japanese raider is still the favourite for the great race with Sportsbet.
Red Cadeaux has also garnered solid support with the two-time Melbourne Cup bridesmaid being crunched from $34 into $26.
Earlier on Tuesday, Godolphin's Cavalryman was scratched due to a leg problem, leaving jockey Craig Williams without a ride in the big race.
Speaking on Channel Seven after his win on Precious Gem in race two, Williams tipped Protectionist to win the $6.2 million handicap.
The scratching of Cavalryman, along with that of Sea Moon on Monday, has re-ignited debate over having emergencies for the Melbourne Cup.
Emergencies are not able to be named for the nation's most famous horse race, because not all TABs around the country have computer systems capable of handling more than 24 runners.
Discussions have been "opened" between the Victorian Racing Commission and the TAB, with a TAB spokesman saying they were "keen to work with them in exploring what options we have next year."
Tony McEvoy picked up a consolation on Melbourne Cup day, but the fact Big Memory is not apart of the big dance still rankles.
Risen From Doubt kept up his flawless straight track record at Flemington, but McEvoy was still ruing Big Memory's omission from the Cup.
He was 25th on the order of entry - one spot outside the field when it was declared on Saturday evening - and left stranded as the Cup does not field emergencies.
"I just about got over it until you mentioned it again," McEvoy said. "What can you say? I hope something is done about it for people in the future.
Winners from earlier races included Antelucan, Precious Gem and Grand Marshal.
And jockey Tommy Berry, who lost two rides in the Melbourne Cup - The Offer and Sea Moon - was due for a big race-day pickup. He got it the Lavazza Short Black aboard General Groove, getting the 20-1 shot up on the rails to beat the well-backed Spy Decoder.
It has been a big day so far off the track, as well. Geoffrey Edelsten and Gabi Grecko have been making waves, with a proposal - and and acceptance - in the Birdcage. There are ninja turtles, Spartans, go-go girls and other colourful figures scattered throughout the Flemington crowd. Fashions on the field was in full swing and big names such as Molly Meldrum, Chris and Rebecca Judd, Premier Denis Napthine, Matt Preston and Nadia Bartel are also in attendance.
Forecasters are still predicting a dry and warm Melbourne Cup, but the weather is expected to change significantly after the race. Punters can expect temperatures to drop by about 10 degrees when a cool, squally change sweeps through from about 6pm. Warnings for damaging winds are still current.
Ronny Lerner, Daniel Cherny, Robyn Grace, Michael Lynch, Adam Pengilly