The 2019 Melbourne Cup over 3200 metres at Flemington, worth $8 million, had a strong international look. The defending champion Cross Counter returned for Godolphin, Japan's Mer De Glace arrived after a powerful Caulfield Cup win, and the Ebor winner Mustajeer lined up for Kris Lees.
Aidan and Joseph O'Brien had six runners between them, among them Master Of Reality, who had finished close to Stradivarius in the Ascot Gold Cup. The local hopes included Danny O'Brien's Vow And Declare, runner-up in the Caulfield Cup, and Chris Waller's Finche.
