Riding a horse for Bart Cummings in the Melbourne Cup is an honour, even for the most experienced jockey.

Michael Rodd already has a Cup trophy courtesy of Efficient in 2007.

He has also ridden several Group One winners for the legendary Cummings and will partner veteran stayer Precedence in Tuesday's $6 million race.

Cummings has won 12 Melbourne Cups and Precedence will be his first Cup starter since he formed a training partnership with his grandson James 15 months ago.

"Every jockey wants to ride a horse for Bart Cummings in the Melbourne Cup. It's his race," Rodd said.

"So it makes it really special.

"And obviously James is involved too. It's a real honour to have a ride for them."

Rodd's hopes for a good Cup barrier were dashed when Precedence drew gate 20 which makes his, and his jockey's, task even harder.

The nine-year-old, an outsider, will be contesting his fourth Melbourne Cup after finishing ninth, 11th and eighth in his three previous attempts.

He missed a start last year by one spot.

Rodd almost collected a second Cup in 2011 when Dunaden beat Red Cadeaux by the closest margin in history.

"It has been a very interesting race for me and I'm a part of racing history," Rodd said. "Part of the Melbourne Cup.

"And it would be even better if I could be a part of history in winning a Melbourne Cup for Bart Cummings."

And while he has been on horses considered better winning chances in the famous race, he says it would be "phenomenal" if Precedence happened to cause an upset.

"You couldn't even explain it," he said.