The four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival kicks off today at Flemington Racecourse with Derby Day while Sydney’s Rosehill Gardens plays host to the $10 million Golden Eagle.

80,000 are expected to pour into Flemington for the nine-race card, headlined by the oldest feature race in Australia – the VRC Derby (2500 metres).

The favourite is the low-flying El Castello, who is attempting to win his fifth straight race.

DERBY DAY FORM GUIDE: Tips for all three Group 1 races at Flemington

The Derby is one of three Group 1 races at Flemington in addition to the Empire Rose Stakes (1600 metres) and the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200 metres).

North of the border, the capacity field of 20 races for an eye-watering $10 million in the Golden Eagle.

The race, created to provide competition to Melbourne’s spring carnival, is relatively new on the Australian racing calendar, having been run and won since 2019.

GOLDEN EAGLE PREVIEW: Verdict on all 20 runners for $10m battle

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