'One of world racing's sharpest minds': Nine's TV stars, sporting personalities and racing experts give their Melbourne Cup tips

The Lexus Melbourne Cup is one of sport's great equalisers - you may think you've got a pretty good handle on horse racing, but very rarely does 'the race that stops the nation' go to script.

Which is why no Cup tip can be completely discounted and any punter is in with a chance.

Wide World of Sports has asked Nine's TV personalities - from horse racing experts to novices and everything in between to give us their four top chances to win the Melbourne Cup.

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There's a few standouts, but as you scroll down you'll see that while plenty of horses feature a lot there is also a scattering of outsiders drawing interest for all sorts of reasons.

Here's who Nine's Melbourne Cup lovers are pinning their hopes on:

Ariarne Titmus, Olympic champion swimmer and contestant on Shark

9 - Absurde

6 - Presage Nocturne

4 - Vauban

14 - Half Yours

Eddie McGuire, Host, Melbourne Cup on Nine

14 - Half Yours

Apart from a slashing victory in the Caulfield Cup the story of Jamie Mellon becoming the first female jockey to do so in 149 years and potentially the second female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, 10 years after Michelle Payne, is a hosts dream. 

20 - Goodie Two Shoes

JP McManus is one of world racing's sharpest minds. He wouldn't have sent Goodie Two Shoes here for the holiday. Well weighted. 

1 - Al Riffa

Is a ripper, could emulate Vintage Crop in 1993 with an Irish St Leger/Cup double. 

16 - Onesmoothoperator

Win in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup was eye catching and won the Geelong Cup the year before. Look out.

Francesca Cumani, Expert, Melbourne Cup on Nine

6 – Presage Nocturne

Fell in love with him when I saw him at Werribee on Sunday.  A horse with real character and very much an alpha male. Great run in the Caulfield Cup and won't mind soft ground when the rain comes.

20 – Goodie Two Shoes

Has won over hurdles as well as the flat and is trained by Joseph O' Brien who has won the Cup twice already. The biggest thing in her favour is the fact she only has to carry 51.5kg and in handicaps, that's a big plus. She would be used to soft ground too.

9 – Absurde

Has run well in two Melbourne Cups before and while it's a big ask to win on this third attempt, he is a tough and versatile galloper. His trainer Willie Mullins won the Breeders' Cup Turf on Saturday with a horse with a similar profile and when it comes to horses, he has the Midas touch!

14 – Half Yours

Won the Caulfield Cup on his latest start under jockey Jamie Melham and was given 2kg penalty for this race as a result. No concerns about soft ground for him.

Paddy Sweeney, 9News Perth Sport Presenter

1 - Al Riffa

14 - Half Yours

24 - Valiant King

10 - Flatten The Curve

Brad Fittler, NRL legend and Nine rugby league expert

16 - Onesmoothoperator

2 - Buckaroo

20 - Goodie Two Shoes

15 - More Felons

Darren Lockyer, NRL legend and Nine rugby league expert

1 - Al Riffa

9 - Absurde

23 - Torranzino

24 - Valiant King

Ryan Papenhuyzen, NRL on Nine

9 - Absurde

6 - Presage Nocturne

4 - Vauban

18 - Parchment Party

Jelena Dokic, expert commentator Grand Slam tennis on Nine

I have no idea about horse racing and I'm spending my day at Fashions on the Field so I am going with my favourite racing silks!

16 - Onesmoothoperator

I love the light blue-dark blue combo with the stripes and lines.

2 - Buckaroo

Nice polka dots.

3 - Arapho

Classic red v on blue combo.

17 - Furthur

White sleeves with navy chest and a cool pink stripe down the middle.  

Clint Stanaway, Weekend Today presenter

9 - Absurde

1 - Al Riffa

2 - Buckaroo

6 - Presage Nocturne

Tom Rehn, 9News Adelaide Sports Presenter

14 - Half Yours

Travelling really well. Has won two of its last three starts and who doesn't love a good story?! Jamie Melham (South Aussie jockey on board) and she appears to be riding really well again. I think it will give the race a red hot go.

4 - Vauban

Feeling like there's every chance it could be third time lucky for this horse. A change of trainer could also be a big factor. No one knows horse racing better than Gai Waterhouse. She's won the Cup once before (2013) so a big chance for mine.

23 - Torranzino

Brilliant win in the Geelong Cup when it upstaged "Gilded Water" to cause a big upset. I thought Celine Gaudray rode it a treat and the low weight of 51kg should work in the horse's favour. 

2 - Presage Nocturne

This horse loves the wet and if we get the weather that is anticipated I think it can feature as it will just run all day in a staying race as gruelling as the Cup. 

Tony Jones, 9News Melbourne and AFL Sunday Footy Show

24 - Valiant King 

14 - Half yours

22 - Royal Supremacy

1 - Al Riffa 

Will McDonald, 9News Adelaide Afternoons and Weekends

2 - Buckaroo

Great run in The Cox Plate, ready to go one better. Plus I really love the name.

Corey Norris, 9News Adelaide Weekends Sports Presenter 

14 - Half Yours

Trained by a South Aussie and ridden by a South Aussie. Hard to beat.

Sylvia Jeffreys, Today Extra and WWOS host

As I'm working the birdcage for WWOS on Melbourne Cup Day I'll be keeping an eye on the following runners.  

24 - Valiant King

I had to pick at least one Waller horse and who doesn't love a valiant king? 

10 - Flatten the Curve

A Frenchie in good form. 

3 - Arapaho

Female jockey in Rachel King and likes a wet track. 

9 - Absurde

Just because.

Tom Steinfort, 9News Melbourne 

10 - Flatten the Curve

1 - Al Riffa

2 - Buckaroo

14 - Half Yours

Liam O'Loughlin, WWOS.com.au racing savant

2 - Buckaroo

21 - River Of Stars

24 - Valiant King

3 - Arapaho

ROUGHIE:

19 - Athabascan