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Best and worst Melbourne Cup barriers revealed as hot favourite draws in the middle

November 1, 2021 - 8.58pm

Melbourne Cup favourite Incentivise drifted slightly in betting after drawing barrier 16 for the great two-mile race that stops a nation.

Still, it's expected to jump as the shortest priced Cup favourite since the legend Phar Lap, with bookmakers offering little more than $2.60 for Incentivise to take out the $7.75 million Flemington feature.

The furthest inside barrier was drawn by Pondus. Barrier 1 last tasted victory when Michelle Payne famously rode long-shot Prince Of Penzance to victory in 2015.

The furthest outside - barrier 24 - has been picked up by Selino at Saturday's barrier draw. Brew was the last horse to win from the furthest out in the field in 2000.

Bookmakers are almost certain Incentivise will win the Cup, with only Spanish Mission (barrier 14) and Twilight Payment (barrier 2) given a hope in the market.

LIVE UPDATES: Verry Elleegant wins 2021 Melbourne Cup; Results as it happened

Brett Prebble riding Incentivise winning the Caulfield Cup. Getty

The dreaded barrier 18 - the only barrier never to have won a Melbourne Cup since barriers were introduced in 1924 - will hold Sir Lucan.

Barrier 5 has been the Cup's most successful barrier, producing eight winners, and The Chosen One has landed that dream draw.

Barriers 6, 15, 18, 23, and 24 have not produced a Melbourne Cup winner since 1983.

Geelong Cup winner Tralee Rose has drawn perfectly in barrier 12, according to trainer Symon Wilde who spoke to racing expert Richard Bensley.

"There are horses in there that have much better form than she does, with the internationals and Incentivise as well," Wilde said.

"I don't think she's the roughest... beautiful barrier, the preparation couldn't be better, and she's really looking for the two miles."

GALLERY: Every Melbourne Cup winner since 2000

2021 MELBOURNE CUP FIELD

1 Twilight Payment (58kg) - barrier 2

2 Incentivise (57kg) - barrier 16

3 Spanish Mission (57kg) - barrier 14

4 Verry Elleegant (57kg) - barrier 19

5 Explosive Jack (54kg) - barrier 4

6 The Chosen One (54kg) - barrier 5

7 Delphi (53.5kg) - barrier 3

8 Ocean Billy (53.5kg) - barrier 13

9 Selino (53.5kg) - barrier 24

10 Johnny Get Angry (53kg) - barrier 22

11 Knights Order (53kg) - barrier 9

12 Persan (53kg) - barrier 11

13 Carif (52.5kg) - barrier 8

14 Master Of Wine (52.5kg) - barrier 6

15 Pondus (52.5kg) - barrier 1

16 Grand Promenade (52kg) - barrier 21

17 Miami Bound (52kg) - barrier 17

18 Port Guillaume (52kg) - barrier 23

19 She's Ideel (52kg) - barrier 20

20 Future Score (51.5kg) - barrier 15

21 Tralee Rose (51kg) - barrier 12

22 Floating Artist (50kg) - barrier 10

23 Great House (50kg) - barrier 7

24 Sir Lucan (50kg) - barrier 18