Last year’s winner Almandin has drawn the middle of the field at barrier fourteen when the 2017 Melbourne Cup barrier draw was conducted at Flemington today.

Almandin, above, has drawn barrier fourteen in the 2017 Melbourne Cup at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Lloyd Williams owned, Robert Hickmott trained Almandin has been installed the early favourite to score back to back wins in the Group 1 $6.25m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday.

Star international jockey Frankie Dettori takes the ride on the eight year old who has had three lead up runs for the Melbourne Cup which included a win two starts back in the Listed $120,000 Japan Racing Association Trophy (2500m) at Flemington on September 16 followed by a last start fourth to Amelie’s Star in the Group 3 $300,000 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on October 7.

“He is in great order,” part owner Nick Williams said.

“He drew seventeen last year so he is three better off. He couldn’t be better and we are very hopeful.”

“It would be wonderful to be the part of the history of a back to back Cup winner.”

Almandin’s stablemate Bondi Beach has drawn the rails while German stayer Red Cardinal will jump from the outside gate.

The Lindsay Park trained Boom Time draw nicely at barrier nine in the twenty-four horse field and Cory Parrish has retained the mount after scoring his first Group 1 win in the Group 1 $3.15m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 21.

Caulfield Cup runner up Single Gaze will take a sit from barrier eleven and Canberra trainer Nick Olive is hoping his mare can go one better in the Melbourne Cup.

The in-form jockey Kathy O’Hara is the regular partner of Single Gaze and gets the ride again in the famous two miler.

“They have got a great relationship, they trust each other, they have a great affinity” Olive said.

“She will be ridden a bit quieter. I would like to see her have a bit of a quiet run and be able to hit the line without having to do all of the work.”