2024 Melbourne Cup Final Field and Draw - Money horse Buckaroo lands wide draw

After a fine effort in the Caulfield Cup, Chris Waller's Buckaroo has been backed into joint-favouritism for Tuesday's main event. However, favourite backers won't have been celebrating after today's draw, when Buckaroo was drawn wide out in stall 21.

Willie Mullins' Vauban also sits atop the betting and, like last year, William Buick's mount landed a kind draw in stall eleven. Stablemate Absurde, who performed much better than Vauban when seventh in the race 12 months ago, was drawn in stall seven and will be partnered by top jockey Kerrin McEvoy.

Between them, Chris Waller and Ciaran Maher account for over a third of the final field. Along with Buckaroo, Waller runs Caulfield Cup third Land Legend, and former Grade One winner Kovalica. Maher's assault will be led by Geelong Cup runner-up Interpretation, with Okita Soushi, Saint George and Circle Of Fire also representing the 2022 winning trainer.

Victory in the Geelong Cup thrust Brian Ellison's Onesmoothoperator into Melbourne Cup contention. Harry Eustace's raider, Sea King landed a tricky draw down in stall one. Sole Japanese entrant, Warp Speed also landed a low draw in gate three.