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When is the 2017 Melbourne Cup barrier draw?

There's plenty of racing action to look forward to. (AAP Image/Mal Fairclough)
2nd November, 2017
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The barrier draw to determine starting positions is an important part of the lead up to any race. The 2017 Melbourne Cup’s barrier draw will take place after the final field announcement at 6:30pm on Saturday, November 4.

It starts at the conclusion of the Derby Day card at the Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, November 4. This is also the opening day of the Melbourne Cup carnival, which takes place over four days and hosts a variety of events, including fashion competitions.

The final acceptances, which trims the list of horses down to 24, are released at the end of the day and the barrier draw follows this announcement. The draw typically ends up taking place around 6:30 pm.

The initial nominations started with a field of 140 horses, and that number was reduced to 36 on October 30. Two horses, Amelie’s Star and Boom Time, are guaranteed spots in the final 24.

While most data suggests that the draw has minimal effect on the outcome of the race, there are obviously bound to be some gates that have corresponded with more success than others.

With the race boasting a prize pool of $6.2 million and the winner taking home $3.6 million, everyone participating in the cup, staking money on it, or just rooting for a particular horse will want any advantage they can get, psychological or otherwise.

Barrier five has seen eight winners, making it historically the most favourable starting position. The last horse to win from this spot was Americain in 2010.

Next are barriers 10, 11 and 14, which can claim six winners each. Barrier eight has seen five winners.

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Meanwhile, no horse has ever won coming out of gate 18 and no one will want to see their favourite horse get drawn into that spot.

Come back to The Roar for news and live updates on the action leading up to November 7 and on the race day itself.

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