The last jockey to win a Melbourne Cup for the legendary Bart Cummings believes he is on the best locally trained hope this year.

Blake Shinn, who won the Cup as a 20-year-old on the Cummings-trained Viewed in 2008, has the ride on the Chris Waller-prepared Who Shot Thebarman in Tuesday's race.

And he is hopeful Who Shot Thebarman can go a couple of places better than last year when the gelding finished third with Glen Boss aboard.

"I think he's in with a great chance," Shinn said.

"I thought his Caulfield Cup run had a lot of merit, he's looking for the 3200 metres tomorrow and the barrier (six) is just perfect.

"You've got to respect the internationals - Fame Game and the English horses and Europeans - but I think my horse is probably the best local chance.

"He ran third last year and he's peaking at the right time."

Shinn rode Who Shot Thebarman when the gelding finished a close second to stablemate Grand Marshal in this year's Sydney Cup (3200m).

He has also been aboard for the seven-year-old's three most recent starts leading into Tuesday's Cup, including his seventh in the Caulfield Cup.

Shinn feels the gelding's ability to stay the distance is crucial in his chances of being in the finish.

"I suppose you can rule out maybe half the field because they won't run out a strong 3200 metres but that's where my horse comes into the fray," he said.

Who Shot Thebarman is at $19 and is one of three Waller-trained runners along with Preferment ($9.50) and Grand Marshall ($41).