Because of Covid-19 restrictions, the tens of thousands of fans that normally turn up will be forced to watch from elsewhere.
Foreign horses have won eight of the last 10 Melbourne Cups and they again lead the favouritism for the $8.2 million race which starts at 5pm New Zealand time.
There are nine european entrants with Irish pair Anthony Van Dyck and Tiger Moth, who are both trained by Aiden O'Brien, among the leading contenders.
Prince of Arran, Master of Reality and Twilight Payment are the other heavily backed foreign raiders.
