The champagne’s on ice, the shoes are shined and the fascinators have been pulled out of the cupboard.

This can mean only one thing: the Melbourne Cup is finally here.

Live blog: all the 2015 Melbourne Cup action

This year’s field for the race that stops the nation has been touted as one of the best ever assembled.

With 11 internationals flying in for the 155th running, it promises to be a high quality and cosmopolitan edition of Australia’s greatest race.

• We pick the winner of the 2015 Melbourne Cup
• Fame Game hot favourite for Melbourne Cup
• Tarzino wins Group 1 Victoria Derby

If you picked a horse in the office sweep and thought ‘who in God’s name is that?’ or if you’re keen to choose a horse on more than just its name and colours, read on.

Race 7 – Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m)
3pm AEDT (Broadcast live on Channel 7)

1 SNOW SKY (GB) $61 to win

Weight: 58kg
Barrier: 16
Trainer: M.R. Stoute
Jockey: R. Moore
Form: 116s5

The British five-year-old was unlucky last month in the Caulfield Cup with Damien Oliver on board, being held up for a run prior to the home turn. He won the Yorkshire Cup over 2818m with a similar weight and looks as though the bigger track and rise in distance will be in his favour. However, no horse has won the Cup with 58kg since the great Makybe Diva in 2005.

2 CRITERION (NZ) $15

Weight: 57.5kg
Barrier: 4
Trainer: D. Hayes & T Dabernig
Jockey: M.J. Walker
Form: 35612

The jetsetter has had a brilliant return to Australian racing, winning the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) and running a gallant second in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) 10 days ago. He beat fellow Cup runner Red Cadeaux in dominant style in Randwick’s Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) in April. Has the class to win, but he’s never raced over 3200m so the only question is whether he can see out the distance.

3 FAME GAME (JPN) $4.40

Weight: 57kg
Barrier: 12
Trainer: T. Munakata
Jockey: Z. Purton
Form: 012s6

If it wasn’t clear before his strategically light run in the Caulfield Cup, Fame Game is in Australia for one thing: to win the Melbourne Cup. The favourite was ridden quietly at Caulfield but we saw a glimpse of his speed and power in the straight when jockey Zac Purton finally got clear. No question on the distance and class of the horse, and with a near-perfect preparation he’ll be the one to beat.

4 OUR IVANHOWE (GER) $21

Weight: 56kg
Barrier: 22
Trainer: L. & A. Freedman
Jockey: B.J. Melham
Form: 7s923

Lee and Anthony Freedman are chasing a sixth Melbourne Cup with the German-bred stayer. He looked magnificent at Flemington for the Group 3 Bart Cummings (2500m) and managed second under 60kg. Two weeks later he ran well in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), looming up in the straight before running out of condition. He has made big improvements every start suggesting he’s ready for the Cup and the distance. Include in trifectas.

5 BIG ORANGE (GB) $51

Weight: 55.5kg
Barrier: 23
Trainer: M.L.W. Bell
Jockey: J.P Spencer
Form: 47117

Bit of an unknown as far as the internationals go as he’s yet to run on the Australian turf. He’s proved himself to be a good stayer, beating Cup contenders Quest For More and Trip To Paris to win the Goodwood Cup in July over the same distance. He enjoys a firm track, and will likely roll forward and stay the trip, but whether he can quicken when the pressure goes on is the question. The wide barrier won’t help.

6 HARTNELL (GB) $31

Weight: 55.5kg
Barrier: 17
Trainer: J. O’Shea
Jockey: J.B. McDonald
Form: 4s465

The former English horse has blossomed since moving to Australia’s Godolphin stable and coming under John O’Shea’s watchful eye. He won Sydney’s Group 1 BMW Stakes (2400m) in March but could not hold that form for the Sydney Cup (3200m) when taken to the lead against Grand Marshal and Who Shot Thebarman. From the wide barrier he’ll drift back, but is proven at the trip and should be strong late.

7 HOKKO BRAVE (JPN) $34

Weight: 55.5kg
Barrier: 20
Trainer: Y. Matsunaga
Jockey: C. Williams
Form: s36s0

The other Japanese contender Hokko Brave was touted as more suited than Fame Game to the 2400m but endured a wide run in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) last month to finish 10th. He’s all muscle and hasn’t been over-raced or over-worked since arriving in Australia. He will need luck from the wide barrier but Japanese runners have a good record in this race (Japan’s Delta Blues and Pop Rock famously quinella’d the 2006 Cup).

8 MAX DYNAMITE (FR) $14

Weight: 55kg
Barrier: 2
Trainer: W. P. Mullins
Jockey: L. Dettori
Form: 97221

As with many of the internationals, Max Dynamite has come up against a few of his Cup rivals in the past. The former French galloper who begun this season hurdling for Willie Mullins convincingly beat Trip To Paris and Big Orange on a soft track in August over 3300m. With the inside barrier Frankie Dettori should give him a soft run in transit, and any rain will help his chances.

9 RED CADEAUX (GB) $34

Weight: 55kg
Barrier: 8
Trainer: E. A. L. Dunlop
Jockey: T. Berry
Form: 52073

If it was a popularity contest, Red Cadeaux would have it in the bag. There’s been a lot of talk about the fact that he’s now 10 years old and has a habit of running second in the Melbourne Cup (2011, 2013 and 2014). Back for his fifth attempt at the race, he doesn’t know his age, loves Flemington, and has spent the past few months showing stablemate Trip To Paris around Werribee. As always he’s a good price for a sneaky place bet.

10 TRIP TO PARIS (IRE) $7.50

Weight: 55kg
Barrier: 14
Trainer: E. A. L. Dunlop
Jockey: Tommy Berry
Form: 21352

Trip To Paris appears to have settled in very well to Australia this spring, relishing the climate and firm tracks. After finishing strongly from 12th to run second behind Mongolian Khan in last month’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup, it seems he’s primed for the big one. The Ascot Gold Cup (4000m) winner will enjoy the longer distance and now that he’s revealed he has a decent turn of foot, he’s in with a great chance.

11 WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (NZ) $17

Weight: 54.5kg
Barrier: 6
Trainer: C. J. Waller
Jockey: B. Shinn
Form: s7587

Returning for another shot at the Melbourne Cup, he’s been slowly building up throughout the spring with a good run in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington last month, finishing two lengths behind his stablemate Preferment. After running seventh in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), jockey Blake Shinn noted he’s better suited to Flemington’s bigger track but unclear whether he has the acceleration to win a high quality Melbourne Cup.

12 SKY HUNTER (GB) $41

Weight: 54kg
Barrier: 7
Trainer: S. B. Suroor
Jockey: W. Buick
Form: 1s1s2

The lightly-raced Pom hasn’t run over this distance but has improved over the past 12 months. He finished second at his last start in the Newbury Arc Trial (2200m) to talented horse Eagle Top. From his 11 starts he’s had six wins and two placings but is unlikely to add the Melbourne Cup to his trophy cabinet. Had a bruised heel last week but has been passed as fit to start.

13 THE OFFER (IRE) $34

Weight: 54kg
Barrier: 13
Trainer: G. M. Waterhouse
Jockey: D. Oliver
Form: 15541

The Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) winner has carried some big weights this spring in his steady preparation towards the Melbourne Cup. The seven-year-old has proven himself over the distance, winning last year’s Sydney Cup. Gai Waterhouse will be looking for her second Melbourne Cup with him, and any rain would help his chances.

14 GRAND MARSHAL (GB) $51

Weight: 53.5kg
Barrier: 15
Trainer: C. J. Waller
Jockey: J. Cassidy
Form: s0750

A third Melbourne Cup for Jim Cassidy would be a fitting way for the retiring jockey to farewell racing. The former British galloper performs best over longer distances, finishing third in the Group 2 Chairman’s Handicap (2600m) and surprising the bookies by winning the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) with Cassidy on board. He finished strongly in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and is worth including in a trifecta.

15 PREFERMENT (NZ) $9

Weight: 53.5kg
Barrier: 11
Trainer: C. J. Waller
Jockey: H. Bowman
Form: s0119

The third of Chris Waller’s Cup entrants and the most-likely winner, Preferment won last year’s Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) and is two from two at Flemington. His Melbourne Cup price shortened after an unexpected win in September’s Group 2 Hill Stakes (2000m). He continued the streak to win the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington, but was left flat footed at Moonee Valley in the Cox Plate. Jockey Hugh Bowman is having a superb spring and on that alone he’s worth considering.

16 QUEST FOR MORE (IRE) $101

Weight: 53.5kg
Barrier: 21
Trainer: R. Charlton
Jockey: D. M. Lane
Form: 21120

Ruining an otherwise beautiful record, the six-year-old is coming off an absolute shocker in the Group 2 Geelong Cup (2400m), where he was caught and never quickened. Before that, he ran second in the Goodwood Cup (3219m) behind Big Orange and had a win in the Northumberland Plate (3219m). Vets have passed him fit after a minor hoof issue caught the stewards’ eyes during the Geelong Cup.

17 ALMOONQITH (USA) $15

Weight: 53kg
Barrier: 10
Trainer: D. Hayes & T. Dabernig
Jockey: D. Dunn
Form: 50671

Almoonqith was the big market mover after a dominant but surprising win in the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) two weeks ago. He had two solid runs in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap (2400) before that. David Hayes says his work between the Geelong Cup and now puts him on the same level as stablemate Criterion.

18 KINGFISHER (IRE) $41

Weight: 53kg
Barrier: 9
Trainer: A. O’Brien
Jockey: C. O’Donoghue
Form: 41238

Five-year-old Kingfisher is not in career-best form leading in to the Melbourne Cup, with two very average runs in the Irish St Leger Trial (2816m) and Irish St Leger (2816m). Before this he ran well but was unlucky to run second in the Ascot Gold Cup (4023m) behind Trip To Paris and won Ireland’s Saval Beg Stakes (2800m). Trainer Aidan O’Brien says he has taken his time to settle here but is ready now.

19 PRINCE OF PENZANCE (NZ) $81

Weight: 53kg
Barrier: 1
Trainer: D. K. Weir
Jockey: M. Payne
Form: 85582

The six-year-old struggled in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield before finishing second in the quick-paced Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m), when pipped at the post by The United States. Question mark whether his lead-up form is strong enough to win a Melbourne Cup.

20 BONDI BEACH (IRE) $21

Weight: 52.5kg
Barrier: 18
Trainer: A. O’Brien
Jockey: B. Prebble
Form: 12122

While the racebook says he’s a four-year-old, the Irish-bred stallion is still only three in the northern hemisphere. The youngster has had only five starts but has never finished further back than second. Definitely a stayer, he ran second in September’s St Leger (2917m) following some interference, and won the Curragh Cup (2816m) in June. From the barrier jockey Brett Prebble will need luck, but you feel this guy’s as good as Mahler who Aidan O’Brien brought out as a three-year-old in 2007 to run third in Efficient’s Melbourne Cup.

21 SERTORIUS $126

Weight: 52.5kg
Barrier: 5
Trainer: J. W. Edwards
Jockey: C. Newitt
Form: s0069

Before last month’s Geelong Cup, the eight-year-old was becoming a regular (but unlucky) face at Caulfield this spring, starting in the Group 2 Herbert Power (2400m), Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) and the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) for nothing better than a sixth. His last win was in Caulfield’s Easter Cup in April but doubtful whether he can figure against this quality field of stayers.

​22 THE UNITED STATES (IRE) $20

Weight: 52.5kg
Barrier: 3
Trainer: R. Hickmott
Jockey: J. Moreira
Form: 12261

Coming off a determined and perfectly-ridden win in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) where Hugh Bowman was able to just sneak past Prince Of Penzance before the line, The United States has had a promising spring. He’s never raced over 3200m but he’s not the only one in this race who is new to the distance. His name keeps appearing in trifectas this spring – and from the inside draw he might just continue that trend.

23 EXCESS KNOWLEDGE (GB) $34

Weight: 51kg
Barrier: 24
Trainer: G. M. Waterhouse
Jockey: K. McEvoy
Form: 57221

Excess Knowledge won the last spot in the Melbourne Cup after taking out Saturday’s Group 3 Lexus Stakes (2500m) with a hard fought win. He seems to be enjoying the longer distances this spring with the weekend’s win at Flemington as well as a second in both Caulfield’s Group 2 Herbert Power (2400m) and the Listed Harry White Classic (2400m). He looks to be improving with racing but will need to step up again if he is to be competitive here.

24 GUST OF WIND (NZ) $34

Weight: 51kg
Barrier: 19
Trainer: J. Sargent
Jockey: C. Schofield
Form: s9804

Flying the flag for females in the Melbourne Cup, the mare beat Cox Plate winner Winx in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick during the autumn and finished a very respectable fourth in last month’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m). Unsure whether she has the speed for a Melbourne Cup but carrying only 51kg will help her cause.

All odds from Sportsbet and accurate at 7pm Monday