Last year's winner Almandin and minor placegetter Hartnell are the equal $13 favourites for the Melbourne Cup following nominations for Australia's most famous race.

There were 140 entries taken on Tuesday including 31 from overseas and 10 horses that ran in 2016.

Leading Australian trainer Darren Weir, who won the Cup in 2015 with Prince Of Penzance, has 17 entries headed by Admire Deus and Humidor who are on the second line of TAB's betting at $17.

Also on $17 is Red Cardinal, trained by Germany's Andreas Wohler for Australian Bloodstock, the combination successful in 2014 with Protectionist.

Almandin's owner Lloyd Williams has 12 local entries along with Order Of St George and Rekindling, trained in Ireland by Aidan O'Brien and Joseph O'Brien respectively.