The race that stops the nation brings out the "once a year punters", with just about everyone wanting the thrill of backing a winner in one of the biggest races in the world.
But it's unfair to expect those punters who will tune out of the Spring Carnival at 3:04 pm on Cup Day to do lengthy form and study. That's where we come in.
We will give you a horse to back based on which AFL team you support.
1. Twilight Payment- GWS
The twilight spot seems to have GWS' name all over it. Six of their games in 2021 were played in the twilight time slot. The 2020 Melbourne Cup winner can be found by GWS fans as a partner in late afternoon crime.
2. Incentivise- Gold Coast
The Queensland raider will start one of the shortest-priced favourites in recent history. The Suns have had a poor time of it for just about their entire existence so it's only fair that Suns fans get behind a likely winner this time out.
4. Verry Elleegant- Melbourne
The red and blue silks could be enough to justify this one but add the name into it as well and it seems the perfect fit. Melbourne is a very elegant team when in full flight and the pair are as classy as it gets.
5. Explosive Jack- Richmond
Richmond fans love "Jumping" Jack Riewoldt. And to be the high-flyer he is you need to be explosive. Jack has given the Tiger Army plenty to be happy about. They can back him here.
6. The Chosen One- Hawthorn
Sam Mitchell is "The Chosen One" at Hawthorn. You don't let the best coach of the modern era walk out of the club for anyone but "The Chosen One" do you?
7. Delphi- Adelaide
The red, blue and yellow silks will have Adelaide fans willing to support Delphi here. Both are outsiders at the moment but there are positive signs for both parties.
8. Ocean Billy- Geelong
Billy Brownless has stepped away from full-time media commitments after an extraordinary career in front of the camera and microphone. But before that, he was a Geelong legend. What a way to celebrate his career if Ocean Billy wins the Cup!
9. Selino- Brisbane
Not many horses run around in the marron and gold silks. Brisbane fans should be taking advantage of this opportunity. I would be remiss to tell Brisbane fans to not out a little something on Queenslander Incentivise as well.
10. Johnny Get Angry- North Melbourneย
Trained by two-time premiership coach Denis Pagan, this is an obvious bet for North fans. He is a rank outsider but he is a battler and he will run the 3200m, Kangaroo fans can't be ignoring an outsider either given their current climate.
14. Master Of Wine- Essendon
Cale Hooker has bid farewell to Essendon and his focus may now be put onto his growing wine business. He has a few beauties available and is becoming a master of the trade.
15. Pondus- Carlton
The navy blue will catch the eye of the Carlton brigade here. Pondus isn't the total package but he has his strong points a bit like the Blues. The old dark navy blue needs a cup sooner rather than later as well.
16. Grand Promenade- Adelaide
By definition, a promenade is "a paved public walk, typically one along the seafront at a resort." The walk across the River Torrens Footbridge is one of the best views in football. It is a "Grand Promenade".
17. Miami Bound- Collingwood
Yes, we know Mason Cox is from Texas. And yes, we know that Texas and Miami aren't exactly similar. But it seemed too good to not associate the recently re-signed Mason Cox with an American correlation.
18. Port Guillaume- Port Adelaide
All in the first part of the name here. Imagine Power fans at home yelling "Go Power" down the 490 metre straight at Flemington.
19. She's Ideel- Sydney
A Sydney raider who will carry some of the hopes of New South Wales. Sydney fans would love to see one of their own come to Melbourne and take Australian racing's biggest prize.
20. Future Score- St Kilda
St Kilda eyes will be purely focused on future scores. The scores gone by most recently have been sub-par and Sants fans will be casting their eyes firmly on what is ahead.
22. Floating Artist- West Coast
Liam Ryan is a "Floating Artist". He is an elite high flyer and is as good as anyone at leaping onto opponents shoulders and taking big marks. "Flyin' Ryan" should have West Coast fans very excited about being on Floating Artist.
23. Great House- Fremantle
Optus Stadium is without a doubt the greatest house anyone in the AFL can lay claim to. It is a spectacular stadium and Freo fans deserve to claim they have the best home deck- along with West Coast.
