Facts and figures

2012 will be the 152nd running of the Melbourne Cup.

The dividend or pay-out depends on the popularity of the runner or combination. The more fancied a runner or combination the lower the dividend. Conversely, the less popular the runner or winning combination, the higher the dividend. The Melbourne Cup is such a hotly contested race that the dividends usually provide terrific value for punters. The dividends over the last three Cups reveal some interesting payouts. A one dollar investment has paid:

* Place & Any2 dividend is the average of the 3 dividends. 

Did you know?

Only four horses have ever won consecutive Cups. Archer (1861-62), Rain Lover (1968-69), Think Big (1974-75) and Makybe Diva (2003-05).

Only one horse has ever won three Cups, Makybe Diva (2003-2005).

Peter Pan also won the Cup twice in 1932 and 1934.

The last favourite to win the Melbourne Cup was Makybe Diva in 2005 paying $3.80.

Bart Cummings has trained the most Melbourne Cup winners 12, his most recent being Viewed in 2008.

Race record: 3min 16.3s by Kingston Rule in 1990.

The most successful horse numbers are: Number 4 (11 wins), Number 12 (11 wins), Number 1 (10 wins).

Winner’s age: Three-year-olds (23 wins), Four-year-olds (43 wins), Five-year-olds (45 wins), Six-year-olds (28 wins), Seven-year-olds (10 wins), Eight-year-olds (2 wins)

Last 10 Cup winners