Last words from the Cup players

1: Hartnell: “The Cummings tradition is there. But I haven’t thought about it too much. I’ve just been focusing on the processes and ensuring the horse is right and the whole company will enjoy being a part of the whole experience.” Godolphin trainer James Cummings whose grandfather Bart trained a record 12 Cup winners.

2: Almandin: “He’s up in the weights but he’s a bit more mature than he was last year. He was virtually having his first preparation for us after being off the scene for two years. This year we gave him a very light autumn and he’s in particularly good order.” Co-owner and five-time Melbourne Cup winner Lloyd Williams.

3: Humidor: “He tested the great mare (Winx) in the Cox Plate and it proved that he’s one of the best horses in the land. So if he can reproduce that tomorrow and run the distance, he should go close.” Jockey Blake Shinn.

4: Tiberian: “The barrier makes it more difficult than otherwise, but it’s not hopeless. Our horse stays well, he breaks well and we’ll work out a plan to give him every chance.” Part-owner of Tiberian Darren Dance.

5: Marmelo: “I was back home watching the Caulfield Cup closely and the first thing I think Hugh (Bowman) said to Tom Pirie, who is here looking after the horse, was ‘we’re in business’. So that was encouraging enough.” Trainer Hughie Morrison on Marmelo who was an eye-catching sixth in the Caulfield Cup.

6: Red Cardinal: “We have the right jockey on board who knows how to do it, so probably I’ll leave it up to him.” Trainer Andreas Wohler on Red Cardinal who has the outside barrier.

7: Johannes Vermeer: “He probably should have won the Caulfield Cup. We had a chequered run through them. He didn’t have a lot of luck and he still ran very well. Obviously he hasn’t been beyond the mile-and-a-half (2400m) but my gut feeling is he’ll run the two miles.” Jockey Ben Melham.

8: Bondi Beach: “He’s no fluker’s hope. There wouldn’t be much between Bondi Beach and my horses up here (Macedon Lodge). He ran last year and got injured in the Cup. He looks absolutely magnificent for a two-mile stayer. He’s as well conditioned as we’ve sent a horse out from Macedon Lodge for a two-mile race.” Co-owner Lloyd Williams.

9: Max Dynamite: “We didn’t get as many runs into him as maybe we liked to have had and I didn’t run him in high profile races on purpose. The plan when we came down here was to work, work, work and he hasn’t missed a beat since he came here.” Trainer Willie Mullins.

10: Ventura Storm: “The Caulfield Cup was a hard run and I had kept him fresh for it. I think with that good mile-and-a-half run and a lot of work since, trained European style, he’s responded well.” Senior Lindsay Park trainer David Hayes.

11: Who Shot Thebarman: Scratched.

12: Wicklow Brave: “On paper he only looks an average ride but on his replays he’s had no luck and after watching them I’m really happy.” Jockey Stephen Baster who gained the ride after Jon Snow was ruled unfit.

13: Big Duke: “He’s got a good barrier to get a soft run and that’s the key. He’ll switch off, be in the first half and hopefully finishes in the top ten.” Trainer Darren Weir who won with Prince Of Penzance two years ago.

14: US Army Ranger: “We wanted someone like Jamie Spencer to ride him who understands these European horses. If he could find that three-year-old form he had with the weight he’s got he’d be a reasonable chance.” Co-owner Lloyd Williams.

15: Boom Time: “He hasn’t felt better. If he can relax through the run then I think he’ll be in the race with a live chance.” Caulfield Cup winning jockey Cory Parish.

16: Gallante: “He’ll stay the trip and he’ll keep running. He runs all day. He’s going to have to improve but he’s a Sydney Cup winner over 3200 metres and any rain would help.” Jockey Michae Dee.

17: Libran: “This prep has gone much better and ideally he likes good ground and he’s drawn well (7) to get a good run. If he runs in the first 10 he will have done well while five and above, we’ll have a party.” Harry Herbert from Highclere Racing.

18: Nakeeta: “Fingers crossed we can take the Cup home to Scotland. It won’t be easy but we’re here with every chance.” Trainer Ian Jardine who has the first Cup runner trained in Scotland.

19: Single Gaze: I suppose the risk with this race is running over the 3200 metres for the first time. I feel she’s got the qualities to do it, but you never know until you try. It’s such a gruelling race and she’s such a tough horse. I think she’s definitely been underrated.” Trainer Nick Olive of the Caulfield Cup runner-up.

20: Wall Of Fire: “I’d just love to win a Melbourne Cup. I want to win it this year but if I win it in 20 years’ time and I’m the 10th British trainer it will be no less thrilling than being the first.” Trainer Hugo Palmer.

21: Thomas Hobson: ” We haven’t been blessed with a great draw but Joao Moreira came from wider last year to finish second. In fact he led front inside the final furlong and drew right away from the field and just got nabbed. If he could work that oracle again this year that would be fantastic.” Trainer Willie Mullins.

22: Rekindling: “I know his form hasn’t tailed off but he’s had a busy year so that’s a little bit of a worry. He’s got a good draw, a good jockey in Corey Brown and I’m looking forward to it.” Trainer Joseph O’Brien.

23: Amelie’s Star: “Weiry’s training really well at the moment and all his horses are flying. She was good over the 2500 (metres) at Flemington in the Bart Cummings. I don’t think the two miles is going to be an issue and hopefully she’s strong enough towards the end.” Jockey Dean Yendall.

24: Cismontane: “He’s not the easiest ride so I need to be strong. I’ve got to be there feeling well and at the moment I’m feeling well and feeling pretty excited.” Beau Mertens who rides the Lexus Stakes winner at 50kg.