There are two mares in the official Melbourne Cup 2017 field for Tuesday, but what do the Melbourne Cup history books say about either Single Gaze or Amelie’s Star winning the iconic two mile showdown?

There are just 23 Melbourne Cup horses left in the $6.25 million showdown this season after Who Shot Thebarman (20) was withdrawn with a fever on Sunday.

Of the remaining stayers in the Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) two are female gallopers looking to be the first to salute over the entires and geldings since the mighty Makybe Diva (2003-05).

The 2017 Melbourne Cup mares are the Nick Olive-trained Single Gaze (53kg) and the Darren Weir-trained Amelie’s Star (51kg) drawn alongside each other in barriers 11 and 10 respectively.

In the Melbourne Cup results last year Almandin, who is back defending his title for five-time winning owner Lloyd Williams, there were three mares that finished out of the money: Beautiful Romance (7^th), Jameka (15^th) and Rose Of Virginia (24^th).

Before Makybe Diva the other most recent Melbourne Cup winning mare was Shelia Laxon’s gun Kiwi Ethereal (2001) who was also the last Caulfield Cup – Melbourne Cup Spring Cups double winner.

Since the Melbourne Cup was inaugurated in 1861 a total of 13 mares have won along with three fillies, giving female gallopers 16 victories in total.

Previous Melbourne Cup winning mares:

• Makybe Diva (2003-05)
• Ethereal (2001)
• Jezabeel (1998)
• Let’s Elope (1991)
• Empire Rose (1988)
• Light Fingers (1965)
• Hi Jinx (1960)
• Evening Pearl (1956)
• Rainbird (1945)
• Rivette (1939)
• Acrasia (1904)

Previous Melbourne Cup winning fillies:

• Sister Olive (1921)
• Auraria (1895)
• Briseis (1876)

Amelie’s Star for the race’s 2015 winning trainer Weir is the best fancied of the 2017 Melbourne Cup mares paying $18, while Single Gaze is at $41 despite a gun lead-up for second in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).

Below we take a look at the Melbourne Cup Form on the two mares to see if they have genuine claims.

#19 SINGLE GAZE

Verdict: If she runs the 3200m she is a genuine lightweight place chance after the Caulfield Cup eye-catcher. Top 4.

Odds: $41

Breeding: by Not A Single Doubt from Redaluca’s Gaze

Age: 5YO

Sex: Mare

Trainer: Nick Olive (Canberra)

Owners: Mr N J Olive, Mr M P Hay, Mr D E Tout, Mr W P Oxford, Mr M Notaras, Redbank North Pty Ltd, Mr R P Keeley, Mr P Kouvelis, Mr N Keeley, Mr M J O’brien, Mr R A Stuart

Jockey: Ms Kathy O’Hara

Barrier: 10

Lead-Up Run: 3^rd, Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), 21/10/2017

• She’s not bred to stay but she ran the 2400m of the Caulfield Cup (2^nd) when everyone thought she couldn’t as a $31 roughie
• Out to be the first 5YO winner since Protectionist (2014), 5YOs though boast the most Melbourne Cup wins in history (44)
• Kathy O’Hara knows her well and retains the ride as the only female jockey in the field this year
• Barrier 11 looks ideal producing the most Melbourne Cup winners in history (8) most recently Americain (2010)
• Gets in okay in the weights with 53kg last carried to victory by Prince Of Penzance (2015)
• Is a Group 1 winner so has class and is super honest and consistent
• Handles big stage racing

#23 AMELIE’S STAR

Verdict: Forgive the Caulfield Cup run and has The Bart Cummings form on her side. Top 6.

Odds: $18

Breeding: by Testa Rossa from Zazita

Age: 6yo

Sex: Mare

Trainer: Darren Weir

Owners: Mr P M Hodgens, Mrs Y Hodgens

Jockey: Dean Yendall

Barrier: 10

Lead-Up Run: 11^th, Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), 21/10/2017

• Has been money for her firming in from $26 to $18
• Barrier 10 has produced 6 Melbourne Cup winners most recently Protectionist (2014)
• Darren Weir is a previous Melbourne Cup winning trainer scoring the 2015 upset with Prince Of Penzance ($101)
• Six-year-olds have dominated the Melbourne Cup results from the past decade with five wins since 2010
• Won the ballot exemption taking out the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington two back by two lengths
• Out to do the double Almandin achieved last year
• Unplaced in the Caulfield Cup but she was ridden to suit and dropped out late
• Better ride from Yendall on Melbourne Cup Day and she’s a top six chance