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Wet conditions poised to have a huge impact on the outcome of Melbourne Cup
This year's race will be run on a sodden track at Flemington, forcing bet tweaks
Up to 30mm of rain is expected to fall on Tuesday making the event a wet one

Published: 19:41 EST, 5 November 2018 | Updated: 20:22 EST, 5 November 2018

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Wet conditions are poised to have a huge impact on the outcome of the race that stops a nation, putting horses which were thought to be rank outsiders in contention for victory.

A sodden track at Flemington has forced gamblers to tweak their Melbourne Cup bets.

Some of the horses in the 24-strong field are better suited to running in the wet - and with up to 30mm of rain expected to fall on Tuesday they could be worth a punt.

Former bookmaker and professional tipster Tom Waterhouse stands to win $1million after backing $26 outsider Rostropovich.

The inclement conditions in the city have even forced flights to be diverted away from the airport.

Wet conditions are poised to have a huge impact on the outcome of the race that stops a nation

A sodden track at Flemington has forced gamblers to tweak their Melbourne Cup bets

Former bookmaker and professional tipster Tom Waterhouse (pictured with wife Hoda Vakili) stands to win $1million after backing $26 outsider Rostropovich

English stayer Magic Circle is expected to run a good race in the wet weather after five wins and two places from ten starts on soft tracks.

'If it rains then (Magic Circle) could easily be the equal favourite,' Mr Waterhouse said.

Money has also been loaded on Marmelo ($16), Best Solution ($12) and Muntahaa ($12) - all have proven track records in the rain.

Experts say foreign horses will thrive in the conditions over local runners. Outsiders Zacada and Nakeeta are also expected to perform in the rain.

Meanwhile, favourite Yucatan is drifting from $5.50 to a predicted $7 on Tuesday despite a reasonably strong record of three places from four starts in the wet.

Trainer James Cummings said his runner Avilius would benefit from the rain given 'pretty good wet track form'.

Some of the horses in the 24-strong field are better suited to running in the wet - and with up to 30mm of rain expected to fall on Tuesday they could be worth a punt

English stayer Magic Circle is poised to run a good race in the wet weather after five wins and two places from ten starts on soft tracks

Money has also been loaded on Marmelo ($16), Best Solution ($12) and Muntahaa ($12) - all have proven track records in the rain

Flemington track manager Liam O'Keeffe is confident the track will hold up for the great race.

'As long as it doesn't rain during the race, it shouldn't have too much of an impact on the track,' Mr O'Keeffe told Macquarie Sports Radio.

'There's nothing we can do on the track to dry it out. The No.1 rule is to stay off it when it's wet. If we can get away with less than 5mm before the first, it won't have any bearing on the track.

'Hopefully we can get away reasonably unscathed.'

The downpours have sustained for the first two races of Tuesday's event, and the weather has also impacted flights at Melbourne Airport.

A Singapore Airlines flight from Singapore was forced to land in Sydney, while a flight from Tokyo was also redirected east.