With three hours remaining, a crowd of 100,000 plus is ready to descend on the Flemington racecourse this afternoon for the Melbourne Cup where international raiders Mad Rush and Septimus remain favourites.

Irish trainer Dermot Weld is in charge of the third favourite Profound Beauty which has jockey Glenn Boss on board, who is aiming for a record-equaling fourth Cup win after claiming the race three times on Makybe Diva.

As of now no other horses have been scratched and 22 horses are confirmed for the $5.5-million race today.

Meanwhile thousands of people have been turning up to the Grants Waterhouse outlets from this morning to bet on their favourite horse.