Melbourne Cup 2016: Your guide to the race that stops a nation

It's that day again.

The 2016 edition of the Melbourne Cup - and 156th overall - is upon us and like every year, there is more going on than just the "race that stops the nation".

Here's what you need to know.

THE RACE

What: 2016 Emirates Melbourne Cup  

When: 3pm

Where: Flemington Racecourse

How far: 3200m

Prizemoney: $6.2 million, making it Australia's richest race

BUT WHO'S GOING TO WIN?

The John O'Shea-trained Hartnell, which finished second by eight lengths to Winx in the Cox Plate, goes into the race as favourite. 

Just behind is Caulfield Cup winner Jameka, followed by German gelding Almandin and local hope Bondi Beach.

But as last year proved, any of the final 24 runners could salute in a strong field; Michelle Payne rode into the history books on Prince of Penzance, a 100-1 outsider.

WHAT ELSE?

The Great Race is just one of 10 for the day - and the action is not limited to the track. 

The beautiful set will be milling about in the Birdcage, with Usain Bolt and E! News anchor Maria Menounos rubbing shoulders with the usual bevy of footballers and reality television stars.

THE FIELD

1.BIG ORANGE, 57kg

Jockey: Jamie Spencer

Trainer: Michael Bell

Barrier: 7

2. OUR IVANHOWE, 57kg

Jockey: Dwayne Dunn

Trainer: Lee and Anthony Freedman

Barrier: 6

3. CURREN MIROTIC, 56.5kg

Jockey: Tommy Berry

Trainer: Osamu Hirata

Barrier: 18

4. BONDI BEACH, 56kg

Jockey: Ryan Moore

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien

Barrier: 5

5. EXOSPHERIC, 56kg

Jockey: Damien Oliver

Trainer: Lee and Anthony Freedman

Barrier: 13

6. HARTNELL, 55kg

Jockey: James McDonald

Trainer: John O'Shea

Barrier: 12

7. WHO SHOT THEBARMAN, 56kg

Jockey: Hugh Bowman

Trainer: Chris Waller

Barrier: 20

8. WICKLOW BRAVE, 56kg

Jockey: Frankie Dettori

Trainer: William Mullins

Barrier: 24

9. ALMOONQITH, 54.5kg

Jockey: Michael Walker

Trainer: David and B Hayes and T Dabernig

Barrier: 19

10. GALLANTE, 54.5kg

Jockey: Blake Shinn

Trainer: Robert Hickmott

Barrier: 2

11. GRAND MARSHAL, 54.5kg

Jockey: Ben Melham

Trainer: Chris Waller

Barrier: 9

12. JAMEKA, 54.5kg

Jockey: Nicholas Hall

Trainer: Ciaron Maher

Barrier: 3

13. HEARTBREAK CITY, 54kg

Jockey: Joao Moreira

Trainer: Tony Martin

Barrier: 23

14. SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD, 54kg

Jockey: Blake Spriggs

Trainer: John P Thompson

Barrier: 14

15. EXCESS KNOWLEDGE, 53.5kg

Jockey: Vlad Duric

Trainer: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott

Barrier: 21

16. BEAUTIFUL ROMANCE, 52.5kg

Jockey: Damian Lane

Trainer: Saeed Bin Suroor

Barrier: 1

17. ALMANDIN, 52kg

Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy

Trainer: Robert Kickmott

Barrier: 17

18. ASSIGN, 52kg

Jockey: Katelyn Mallyon

Trainer: Robert Hickmott

Barrier: 22

19. GREY LION, 52kg

Jockey: Glen Boss

Trainer: Matt Cumani

Barrier: 16

20. OCEANOGRAPHER, 52kg

Jockey: Chad Schofield

Trainer: Charlie Appleby

Barrier: 11

21. SECRET NUMBER, 52kg

Jockey: Stephen Baster

Trainer: Saeed Bin Suroor

Barrier: 10

22. PENTATHLON, 51.5kg

Jockey: Mark Du Plessis

Trainer: John Wheeler

Barrier: 4

23. QEWY, 51.5kg

Jockey: Craig Williams

Trainer: Charlie Appleby

Barrier: 15

24. ROSE OF VIRGINIA, 51kg

Jockey: Ben E Thompson (a)

Trainer: Lee and Shannon Hope

Barrier: 8