Early tips for the Melbourne Cup and the Big Dance

The News Corp Racing and Sports Wagering team has put together an expert panel to give you the early inside running on feature races in Melbourne and Sydney this spring. The panel of five will be offering their early thoughts on all of the Group 1 races and other feature contests during the spring, through until the end of Melbourne Cup carnival. This week they are tipping on the Melbourne Cups (3200m) and the Big Dance (1600m), both run on Tuesday, November 1. Next week's final edition of series will cover the VRC Oaks, Champions Stakes, Champion Sprint, and Champions Mile.

Clinton Payne was second-up in the Turnbull last Saturday and he closed off better than anything. He will need a penalty or to win the Hotham Handicap to force his way into the field.

Early tips for the Melbourne Cup and the Big Dance.

DEAUville Legend is a contender for the Melbourne Cup. James Lamb won the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes.

Oracle.hoo ya mal ($18) is a young horse lightly raced and gets in with a nice weight of 53.5kg. He ran second in the Epsom Derby and his form since has been good. Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Craig Williams takes the ride.

Ray Thomas is a northern hemisphere-bred three-year-old. He won the Great Voltigeur Stakes easily last start. Deauville is one of the better UK races for the Melbourne Cup.

Tony Brassel is a long-distance horse. Deauville legend is an outstanding horse and his gear change is perfectly suited to that long home straight at Flemington.

Deauville Legend will race at Randwick on November 1.

Clinton Payne gives his tips for the Melbourne Cup and the Big Dance.

Hosier is a gun mudder who has won seven of his eight starts on rain-affected tracks. Hosier won over Randwick mile last start.

BANDERSNATCH finished third in a race first-up. He's some question mark at the mile but if he gets a soft run he should get the trip fine.

Ray Thomas is on track for the Big Dance. Kris Lees suggested he would improve after his run at Randwick last Saturday.

Tony Brassel is a light-raced UK gelding with all wins in 1400m – 1600m zone.