The Melbourne Cup race is a big field handicap that holds Group 1 status and is targeted by top Flat turf thoroughbred racehorses. What that means, in other words, is this event has lots of international interest in it. There are always many entries. The maximum field allowed to race at Flemington here is 24. You should be looking for a Melbourne Cup bet each-way, then, especially one at high odds and through an online bookmaker paying extra places.