Buckaroo and Vauban head into Tuesday's Melbourne Cup as joint favourites in Australia's "race that stops a nation", where there will be a record four women jockeys.First run in 1861, the punishing 3,

Buckaroo remains favourite for the 2024 Melbourne Cup but has been pushed out from $5 to $5.50 after drawing wide in barrier 21. Vauban has attracted some immediate bets of note with TAB after landing gate 11 as did Zardozi who has shortened from $21 to $17 after securing barrier four, while Sea King tightened from $10 into $9 with barrier one.

Group 1 winner Buckaroo, the Caulfield Cup runner-up, has returned to the top of Melbourne Cup markets with doubt on Cox Plate champion Via Sistina taking her place in the race that stops a nation.

Buckaroo could etch his way into Melbourne Cup history and win the race that stops a nation at Flemington on Tuesday. Previously trained by Irish prodigy Joseph O'Brien, the British bred gelding swapped hands to champion trainer Chris Waller following last year's spring carnival.

Buckaroo is the $5.50 post-barrier draw favourite and will be shooting to emulate Vow And Declare’s victory back in 2019 from 21. After a gallant second placing in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), the step up to two miles is still a task that carries some doubt.