The all-important barrier draw for the 166th running of the Melbourne Cup has been made.
Runners will head to post for the "race that stops a nation" at 04:00 GMT on Tuesday 3rd November, with £4,500,000 up for grabs.
Now the richest handicap ran anywhere on the planet, trainers will have had this date in mind for their runners sometimes a year in advance and hopes can either be dashed or significantly boosted based on the luck of the draw.
Like with any Flat contest containing the amount of runners that a Cup involves, jockeys will keen to get an advantageous position in order to avoid as much traffic as possible when making the run for home.
One significant factor in race position is the barrier draw.
Get drawn too wide and it can be tough for a front-running type to make up ground heading into the first bend, whereas horses jumping from the inside might be more likely to stuck in behind runners when making a charge down the rail.
The Melbourne Cup was first ran with stalls in 1924, giving us 102 years of history to work with.
Barriers 5 and 11 share the spoils for the winning-most in the race's history; both responsible for eight winners each. Soul Of Spain jumps from five this year, with Zahrann pitched out in 11.
Second most successful is 8 -- occupied by 2025 winner Half Yours -- with seven wins and is taken by Roger Varian's Enfjaar.
On the flip side, only Verry Elleegant has won from stall 18, making it the least successful barrier in Melbourne Cup history. Joseph O'Brien's fancied runner Trustyourinstinct therefore has history stacked against him when they head to post on Tuesday.
Melbourne Cup confirmed draw
Middle Earth
Knight's Choice
Son And Lovers
Strictly Business
Soul Of Spain
Asterix
So You Are
Enfjaar
Point Of Law
Zakouma
Zahrann
Future History
Onesmoothoperator
Juja Kibo
Hopewell Rock
Mr Monaco
Shockletz
Trustyourinstinct
Goodie Two Shoes
Kizylar
Royal Supremacy
Vauban
Wine Dark Sea
James J Braddock
