Irish-trained stablemates Tiger Moth and Anthony Van Dyck as well as the WS Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet head adjusted betting at $8.

Of the trio, Tiger Moth is the horse bookmakers are willing to risk.

Melbourne Cup favourite since Australian plans were confirmed in September, Tiger Moth has eased from $6 after drawing the second widest gate.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained stayer has barrier 23 in the 24-horse field with only fellow international Ashrun drawn deeper in Australia's greatest horse race.

Tiger Moth is one of two runners for O'Brien, with Caulfield Cup runner-up Anthony Van Dyck faring considerably better with an inside barrier.

Winner of the 2019 Epsom Derby, Anthony Van Dyck will jump from gate three while his Caulfield conqueror Verry Elleegant has stall 15.

Anthony Van Dyck's jockey Hugh Bowman said he expected his mount's class to help offset the topweight's 58.5kg impost.

"You've got to go back a long time in history to find a horse that's carried that weight and won," Bowman told Network Ten.

"But you can't go back far enough to find one this good that's actually run in the race.

"He's in great order after the Caulfield Cup.

"The team is very excited about the way he is going and progressed from that race.

"We've got to get here on game day and hopefully the race is run at a nice even pace and every horse gets their chance."

Sir Dragonet will be trying to complete the Cox Plate-Melbourne Cup double from one gate inside Verry Elleegant.

Last year's Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare will launch his bid from barrier four.

English-trained Prince Of Arran, placed in the past two runnings, will start from the rails.

Surprise Baby, rated among the best of the Australian chances since an eye-catching fifth last year, has gate seven and Craig Williams in the saddle.

Williams will be chasing successive Cup wins.

Avilius will represent racing superpower Godolphin and the high-class stayer has draw a middle gate in stall 10.

Australian Associated Press