Riding a horse for Bart Cummings in the Melbourne Cup is an honour, even for the most experienced jockey.

Look for the Land Of The Rising Sun to shine as the Flemington sun begins its descent this afternoon.

Godolphin's Melbourne Cup contender Cavalryman is in doubt for today's race with a leg injury.

A New Zealand trainer in charge of three runners in today's Melbourne Cup is hoping his Kiwi galloper - owned by Manawatu dairy farmers - will go all the way.

For those who plunge $5 into the office sweepstake every year, it is "the race that stops two nations", five minutes of thundering hooves, shimmering silks, palpitating punters.

James McDonald took perhaps his final step towards being a truly international jockey at the weekend and isn't quite sure he's comfortable with it.

Kiwis punting on tomorrow's Melbourne Cup could win a nearly $28.2 million prize - if they can guess the correct order of the first 10 horses across the line.

Champagne, horses and hats. What’s not to love at the races, says Mike Dillon.

Your alphabetical guide to negotiating the course at Ellerslie.

The first Melbourne Cup to reach A$1 million was in 1985, won by former New Zealander What A Nuisance.

25 years of betting on the Melbourne Cup has finally paid off for an Auckland fish shop worker who picked the first four horses over the finish line at Flemington.

When you're an Australian sporting legend you walk on water - and Damien Oliver proved it yesterday on a horse called Fiorente.

The PM began his day at the TAB yesterday and by the end of it had enjoyed two wins - one on the horses, the other on his controversial SkyCity pokies deal.

The Melbourne Cup is just as much about the fashion on the field as the fillies. Our gallery brings you the best looking ladies at gents at Flemington for race day.

It's billed as the race that stops Australia but in New Zealand, at least, the Melbourne Cup actually gets things going.

He came second on Fiorente in his first Melbourne Cup last year and highly rated Kiwi jockey James McDonald reckons he's a good chance of going one better today.

English trainer Ed Walker may be a novice in Australia, but he hasn't walked around with his eyes closed.

Leaning on a rail in the corner of the Flemington birdcage on Saturday applauding Jim Cassidy as he came back on Zoustar for his 100th group one victory was Roy Higgins.

Chris Waller went to Australia with little more than a credit card in his pocket. When that maxed out, the Kiwi trainer went to the bank and got another one.

English horse Ruscello has ruined the Melbourne Cup dreams of several hopefuls with his all-the-way win in the Lexus Stakes at Flemington.

Greg Dixon ignores some sage advice from a racing guru and wins big.

The Melbourne Cup was once again about the fashion - as well as the races - as thousands turned out to celebrate in Auckland and across the Ditch.

For more than 30 years, Williams has devoted himself to winning Melbourne Cups.