The 2016 Melbourne Cup over 3200 metres at Flemington pitted the Caulfield Cup winner Jameka, the local hope, against a large overseas team. Britain's Big Orange, fifth the year before, carried top weight, the Ebor winner Heartbreak City came from Ireland, and Willie Mullins brought the Irish St Leger winner Wicklow Brave.
Hartnell, Godolphin's Australian-trained stayer, was one of the most fancied runners. Almandin had earned his place by winning the Bart Cummings, and The Metropolitan winner Sir John Hawkwood and the Lexus Stakes winner Oceanographer also made the field.
