The locals pan our jockeys but seem confident one of our horses will win the Cup

In a somewhat unexpected development, it looks set to be warmer on Tuesday at Redcar than Flemington, where rain is forecast to fall all day. For the two young English trainers who saddle the top two horses in the betting, it will feel like being at home.

This, however, is nothing like normal. As James Ferguson and Ed Crisford could testify, the Lexus Melbourne Cup has changed.

Once upon a time, the trainers of Deauville Legend and Without A Fight would have been part of a large invading contingent. This year, they are the only ones.