If it wasn't for the Melbourne Cup it would be another day at the office for leading jockey Dwayne Dunn.

One of the elder statesmen in the jockey ranks, Dunn has 10 rides on Tuesday.

"It's fortunate I've been through it enough times and can make it just another day at the races," he said.

"I think it's important going into a major event like this to go in without that nervous energy you waste trying to get your job done."

Dunn says he done the homework on his rides, including Our Ivanhowe in the Cup.

He will enjoy a relaxing night, a good sleep and wake up in the morning ready for a busy day.

"I'll refresh myself with the horses I'm riding and anything that may change through scratchings and weather conditions," he said.

Dunn said Our Ivanhowe should possibly have finished in the top four last year and he would like some rain to soften the track.

And the jockey also hopes the reported solid pace eventuates.

"I think he's going as good as he was last year," Dunn said.

"We need a little bit of rain and if he gets that I think he climbs up the ladder and becomes a live chance.

"If they run it as genuinely as we think they're going to it will suit him.

"Normally we get that rush to the post and then everyone backs up and then go again, but hopefully with the internationals the tempo stays even.

"I think being stretched out, with a genuine tempo, every horse should get their chance."

Then it will be up to Dunn to choose the right time to make his run as from the 800m the wave begins and the race starts to change complexion.

"You don't want to be on that first wave, you want to be on that second wave and hopefully getting a clear run," he said.

"That's the style of my horse."