Favourite Americain has drawn barrier 15 for his tilt at back-to-back wins in Tuesday’s $6 million Melbourne Cup.
It is four stalls wider than he drew when he claimed the race 12 months ago.
Fellow French raider Dunaden came up with gate 13, immediately inside Mourayan who will be one of two runners for owner Lloyd Williams along with At First Sight who jumps from gate 10.
The Bart Cummings-trained German import Illo has the rails, alongside stablemate Precedence in barrier two.
Gai Waterhouse had mixed luck with her pair of Tullamore (12) and Older Than Time (20), as did Chris Waller with Metropolitan winner The Verminator, who drew four, and Hawk Island (18).
Niwot, who rocketed into the Cup field with his stunning Lexus Stakes victory on Saturday, drew well in nine but Mackinnon Stakes victor Glass Harmonium wasn’t as lucky, coming up with barrier 23.
Godolphin’s hopes of a first Melbourne Cup win improved with their pair of Lost In The Moment and Modun drawing gates three and five respectively.
Shamrocker will have the dubious honour of jumping from the outside stall in the 24-horse field.
AAP TURF
