Melbourne Cup: Which horses to back if the rain bomb hits and which to avoid

Deauville Legend is a strong favourite in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday. The weather is forecast to be a key factor in this year's great race. Deauville Legend has never run over the two-mile distance and has not experienced the unique factors of the Cup. If the rain bomb hits as forecast, mud-runners like Gold Trip, Knights Order, Montefilia and Stockman are a good option. Dry trackers like Hoo Ya Mal, Serpentine, Daqiansweet Junior and Interpretation are better bets. The added uncertainty over weather adds to the standard Cup punting. It may pay to include plenty of chances in quinellas and trifectas.

The Melbourne Cup takes place on Tuesday. The punter recommends Gold Trip, Smokin Romans, Emissary and Stockman.

Horse that has only won one race in its life is given top weight for the Melbourne Cup. The horse has been beaten second in the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate.

Montefilia is a classy Sydney mare who won the Caulfield Cup. She's untried at this distance and should be at her peak now.

6.6 is an English stayer who has good form around some elite horses over there. He has won his past two starts in very small fields.

Deauville Legend is a short-priced favourite for the Melbourne Cup. He has finished first or second in all six races since his debut. Deauvil Legend beat El Bodegon four lengths last start and finished third in the Cox Plate.

12. HOO YA MAL sold for $2 million after running a second in the Derby in UK. He finished on almost level terms with Melbourne Cup favourite Deauville Legend two starts back.

19 SMOKIN Rhapsody was favourite in Caulfield Cup but couldn't go on with it in the straight. Jamie Kah is aboard.

Realm of flowers hasn't run for a month. She won in the Metropolitan. Her barrier is nice and she carries the minimum weight.

2. DUAIS finished strongly in the Caulfield Cup. She's unplaced in all four runs on heavy ground. Hugh Bowman has won three of five races riding her.

This year's Sydney Cup winner is a bold front-runner. Knights Order won the Caulfield Cup and finished third. The heavier the track the better for this Gai Waterhouse-trained stayer.

9. Stockman is the fittest of all horses for this year's race. He had a run on Saturday to keep him sharp after a win in his prior race and he will run out the distance.

Vow and Decade won the Caulfield Cup. He's a tough stayer who's drawn perfectly but lacks finishing kick.

11 Young Werther is a horse that hasn't won a race since he broke his maiden years back. He ran within three lengths of elite opposition in the Cox Plate.

14. Qaisansweetjunior is an Adelaide Cup winner and Sydney Cup placegetter. He hasn't been getting near a win in this preparation, but wasn't far away last start despite a torrid run.

EMISSARY won the Geelong Cup last start. If the rain bomb hits, it will reduce his hopes.

It's been 18 months since Interpreter last won. He was beaten less than a length in a strong race two starts back.

5. Numero had a dream run in the Caulfield Cup but didn't see it out. He's probably going to settle nicely behind the leaders.

7. CAMORRA won the Curragh Cup in Ireland back in June. He faded in his only run since and would need a sharp turnaround to threaten here.

Serpentine finished second on Saturday. It was only his third placing in 14 career starts. Jockey John Allen will be wearing the silks of owner Lloyd Williams.

Grand Promenade finished sixth in the Melbourne Cup last year. Grand Promeny has been drawn inside the barrier.

Iron horse Arapaho has been in training since March. He's been running consistently well at lower grade.

20. TRALEE ROSE is a stayer who suffered a leg cut in last year's Caulfield Cup. She will be helped by a soft track.

Highlight Ocean is one of only three horses going into the Melbourne Cup off a last-start win. She's light and likes the slop.