The crowd and excitement are already building at the Flemington racecourse ahead of the running of the 150th Melbourne Cup in the next hour.

But a fall has marred the start to Melbourne Cup day at Flemington, where around 100,000 people are expected to gather to watch the great race.

Blake Shinn had to be stretchered to an ambulance after his mount Zauberin crashed to the ground in the 2,800 metre handicap.

The jockey has been stood down for the rest of the day with a suspected broken ankle, forcing trainer Bart Cummings to hand a ride to James Winks for Precedence in the Cup.

Cummings also trains the dual Cox Plate champion So You Think, which will get a chance to prove whether he is as good as some people believe in the 150th Cup.

So You Think has been a clear favourite with the punters, including the Prime Minister, since his easy win in the Mackinnon Stakes.

Julia Gillard took time out from her Asian tour to pick her favourite.

The Melbourne Cup will start at 5pm.


Story by: Dreu Vukailagi