Melbourne Cup LIVE: How to spot a winning horse, according to Francesca Cumani; Punters brave a rainy day at Flemington

When it comes to rating international horses in this year’s Melbourne Cup, few people are better placed than Francesca Cumani.

The English commentator first came to Australia 20 years ago as a strapper for trainer Luca Cumani, her father, and has been coming back ever since.

She has seen the carnival from both sides of the fence.

The Cumanis came agonisingly close to winning our greatest race when Purple Moon finished second in 2007 and Bauer losing by a whisker the following year.

But now Cumani provides expert comments for Nine, the owner of this masthead, from the mounting yard, judging horses in the lead-up to each race.

Last year, she fancied Irish stayer Goodie Two Shoes, which finished second in the Melbourne Cup at 40-1. This year, she is determined to tip the winner.

“I think this year it’s a very competitive race,” she said. “You can make a case for many, many, many horses, whereas often you could kind of think there’s a bit of a weak tail to it.”

She narrowed her selection down to four: UK runner Hopewell Rock, Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien’s pair James J Braddock and Trustyourinstinct, and Ciaron Maher’s Mr Monaco.

“He [Hopewell Rock] ran second in the Ebor Handicap, which has been a pretty good form reference, he probably should have won it if not for the jockey dropping his whip,” she said of the Roger Varian-trained galloper.

Cumani took time out from a hectic schedule to speak to this masthead at Flemington while posing with 2016 Cup winner Almandin, who lives at Living Legends. She was wearing Rebecca Vallance, with Lisa Hughes millinery.

She said she loved the fashion, food and entertainment of Cup week, but the horses were her true passion.

“Give me the Best Bets and a laptop, and you’ll find me squirrelled away for hours and hours and hours working out what to say about these horses [before each race],” she said.

“I can look at a horse for three seconds, and it’ll speak to me in a sense of like positive or negative, and I’ll notice little things that maybe other people won’t.

“It’s hard to say exactly what, but you know, a nice healthy look to them, a nice active step, a nice bright eye. You don’t want them looking anxious.

“It’s probably a bit like if you walk into a room full of humans. Who looks good to you? Not clearly from an attraction point of view, but like who looks healthy? Who’s got nice, glossy hair?”

Cumani believes the European runners will be best served by setting a solid tempo, stretching the field and turning the Melbourne Cup into a true test of stamina.

“Put some pace into the race, and it could be one for the ages, I think,” she said.

It’s the race that stops the nation – but how do you actually select a Melbourne Cup winner?

Some veteran punters like to spend hours studying the form guides, while newcomers might opt for their favourite number, silk colour, a name they like or rely on superstitions.

But what does the data say? Which barrier number has the most wins in Flemington history and are you better off picking a gelding or a mare?

Here’s our guide to help you navigate Australia’s greatest race.

Chicken sandwiches are one of the all-time cocktail party classics. And in Melbourne, the one sandwich to rule them all is the one made by caterer Peter Rowland.

It’s been seen at some of Melbourne’s swankiest luncheons, parties and events since 1962 – an astonishing 50 tonnes have left the Peter Rowland kitchen over the past 64 years.

Matthew Haigh, who spent 11 years as Peter Rowland Group’s executive chef, says the chicken sandwich remains timeless.

“While some food trends have come and gone, the chicken sandwich has stood the test of time and shows no signs of losing its popularity.”

The Peter Rowland version uses soft, crustless white bread lightly spread with butter and filled with a combination of poached chicken and house-made mayonnaise flecked with chopped chives and parsley.

The exact recipe has remained a closely guarded secret. Until now.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of Cup Day in Melbourne.

The race that stop the nation might not be run until 3pm, but there’s so much to look forward to before and after as well. Today we will take you inside the marquees, among the crowds piling in to Flemington and give you the best view of the fashion at the track. Not to mention the inside word and analysis on the races.

Buckle up, secure your fascinators, and let’s go.