Spring? Check. Suit? Check. Fascinator? Check. Champagne? Check. It's time to lay down your bets as the 2018 Melbourne Cup is nearly here.
The Melbourne Cup is the richest two-mile handicap race in the world with $7.3 million dollars in this year's prize pool.
Raced over a gruelling 3,200 metres, the Melbourne Cup is the ultimate test of stamina and power.
The 'race that stops a nation' will be held on Tuesday, November 6 at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne.
Sporting News has all the information you need to get the most out of your race day.
MORE: Redzel defends title in The Everest with dominant run | Caulfield Cup 2018: How to watch, date, odds
WHEN IS THE 2018 MELBOURNE CUP?
The Melbourne Cup carnival kicks off on Saturday, November 3 with Victoria Derby Day, before moving to the 158th running of the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, November 6.
The 'race that stops the nation' is scheduled to start at 3pm.
Each year the race held on the first Tuesday of November, which is now an annual public holiday in Victoria. However, during the war years (1916, 1942-44) the Melbourne Cup was run on Saturdays.
Oaks Day continues the four-day carnival on Thursday, November 8, before the racing week finishes with Stakes Day on Saturday, November 10.
WHAT IS THE PRIZE MONEY FOR THE 2018 MELBOURNE CUP?
Out of the twenty-four runners in the Melbourne Cup Field, only the first twelve horses to cross the finish line will be awarded from the prize pool worth $7.3 million.
Previously, only runners who finished in the top ten received a minimum of $125,000 but this year that has been extended to include up to twelfth place, who will collect $150,000.
The winner's cheque has been increased to $4 million, in addition to trophies worth $250,000. Last year Rekindling earned connections $3,850,000 for winning the Melbourne Cup.
Second place will earn $1 million, and third will take out $500,000.
| PLACE | PRIZE MONEY | |
| 1st | $4,000,000 | |
| 2nd | $1,000,000 | |
| 3rd | $500,000 | |
| 4th | $250,000 | |
| 5th | $175,000 | |
| 6th | $150,000 | |
| 7th | $150,000 | |
| 8th | $150,000 | |
| 9th | $150,000 | |
| 10th | $150,000 | |
| 11th | $150,000 | |
| 12th | $150,000 |
HOW TO WATCH THE 2018 MELBOURNE CUP
Why not suit up and pop the champagne at Flemington Racecourse?
There are a number of packages available, so plan your Melbourne Cup Carnival experience before it’s too late.
Channel Seven will provide live free-to-air coverage of all Melbourne Cup events for the last time. Channel 10 hold the rights for the race from next year.
The Carnival will also be broadcast live on Racing.com, 7plus and the 7Sport app.
MELBOURNE CUP 2018
BARRIER DRAW
Barrier 1: Auvray
Barrier 2: Vengeur Masque
Barrier 3: Nakeeta
Barrier 4: Chestnut Coat
Barrier 5: Red Cardinal
Barrier 6: Best Solution
Barrier 7: Ventura Storm
Barrier 8: Youngstar
Barrier 9: The CliffsofMoher
Barrier 10: Marmelo
Barrier 11: Avilius
Barrier 12: Runaway
Barrier 13: Muntahaa
Barrier 14: Sir Charles Road
Barrier 15: Finche
Barrier 16: Sound Check
Barrier 17: Magic Circle
Barrier 18: Who Shot Thebarman
Barrier 19: Cross Counter
Barrier 20: A Prince of Arran
Barrier 21: Rostropovich
Barrier 22: Ace High
Barrier 23: Yucatan
Barrier 24: Zacada
2018 MELBOURNE CUP ODDS - TOP TEN
Via Sportsbet (04.11.2018) - Win fixed
| HORSE | ODDS | |
| 1. | Yucatan | 5.50 |
| 2. | Magic Circle | 9 |
| 3. | Cross Counter | 9 |
| 4. | Muntahaa | 11 |
| 5. | Best Solution | 13 |
| 6. | Avilius | 13 |
| 7. | The Cliffsofmoher | 16 |
| 8. | Marmelo | 16 |
| 9. | Youngster | 16 |
| 10. | A Prince of Aran | 17 |
2018 MELBOURNE CUP RESULTS
| PLACE | HORSE | TIME |
| 1st | Cross Counter | 3:21.17 |
| 2nd | Marmelo | 1L |
| 3rd | A Prince of Arran | 3L |
| 4th | Finche | 3.5L |
| 5th | Rostropovich | 4.5L |
| 6th | Youngstar | 5.75L |
| 7th | Sir Charles Road | 8.25L |
| 8th | Best Solution | 8.75L |
| 9TH | Muntahaa | 9.5L |
| 10TH | Ventura Storm | 11L |
| 11th | Yucatan | 11.75L |
| 12th | Nakeeta | 11.85L |
WHO WILL PERFORM AT THE MELBOURNE CUP?
Grammy award-winner Sam Smith will perform two songs in the mounting yard ahead of the Melbourne Cup.
As seen in today’s @theHeraldSun we are thrilled to announce Grammy-winning singer-songwriter @SamSmithWorld will perform at this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup! To purchase tickets to this year’s Lexus #MelbourneCup visit https://t.co/rVgijGGzBA pic.twitter.com/9wlsbnLUMI
— FlemingtonRacecourse (@FlemingtonVRC) September 2, 2018
Smith will headline some of the biggest acts in Australia who will perform over the four-day carnival:
Derby Day: Hayden James and Miami Horror
Melbourne Cup Day: The Presets and YO! MAFIA
Oaks Day: Amy Shark, Furnance and the Fundamentals
Stakes Day: Conrad Sewell and Sweet Mix Kids
WHO WON THE MELBOURNE CUP LAST YEAR?
Starting from barrier 4, Rekindling won the Melbourne Cup in 2017. At four years old the thoroughbred was the youngest runner in the field. Ridden by Australian jockey Corey Brown, Rekindling was the youngest horse to win the Melbourne Cup in 76 years.
The Irish-trained horse continues the international dominance over Australia's premier staying test.
MELBOURNE CUP HISTORY
The Melbourne Cup was first run in 1861, won by Archer who backed it up again in 1862.
Makybe Diva (2004-2006) is the only horse to have won the race three times, while four horses have saluted twice.
The 'Cup King' Bart Cummings holds the record for a trainer with 12 wins, while jockeys Bobby Lewis and Harry White both claimed four wins.
Lloyd Williams has owned six winners of the Cup.
1990 winner Kingston Rule holds the race record with a time of 3.16.30.
Phar Lap claimed the 1930 running, the only odds on favourite to ever win the race and the shortest priced favourite in history.