Septimus will run
04/11/2008 10:09 AM
Septimus will run in the Melbourne Cup despite earlier fears from connections that the ground would be too hard for the stayer.
There will be 22 runners in this year's race following the scratchings on Monday of Zarita and Yellowstone.
The track was rated a Dead 4 and, with conditions expected to clear during the afternoon, officials are hopeful for an upgrade prior to the big race.
Mad Rush opened favourite on the Victorian tote at $5.40 and with bookmakers.
Septimus, however, continued to drift and was a $7 chance on Tuesday morning.
A crowd in excess of 100,000 people is expected at Flemington.