Jockey Michael Rodd says Shocking can conquer weight and a wide barrier to become one of the all-time great Melbourne Cup winners.Rodd said a second Melbourne Cup win with topweight of 57kg from the outside gate in the field of 24 would put the five-year-old among the best ever."He is going to need a pretty sweet ride but his preparation has been faultless and he's a much better horse than last year," Rodd said.He said taking up a position close to rail would be the challenge but he has no plans

Jockey Michael Rodd says Shocking can conquer weight and a wide barrier to become one of the all-time great Melbourne Cup winners.

Rodd said a second Melbourne Cup win with topweight of 57kg from the outside gate in the field of 24 would put the five-year-old among the best ever.

"He is going to need a pretty sweet ride but his preparation has been faultless and he's a much better horse than last year," Rodd said.

He said taking up a position close to rail would be the challenge but he has no plans to be in the first half of the field.

"Being three deep with 57kg wouldn't be ideal but what we have got in our favour this year is that there are a lot of go forward horses," Rodd said.

"I think they are going to string out so there should be some spots to slot into and get cover.

"I will play it by ear but I will use the whole straight to my advantage and hopefully find a spot behind midfield."

Rodd said So You Think, in barrier three, and his trainer Bart Cummings were deservedly the centre of attention but he questioned whether the dual Cox Plate winner would be favourite if he and Shocking swapped barriers.

"Reverse the barriers and Shocking is probably favourite," Rodd said.

"Obviously you have got to keep an eye on So You Think, he is a super horse, but will he have that turn of foot at the end of two miles?

"I know my bloke will.

"I love my horse and we know what he can do, we know what he is going to do.

He said the only fear was that So You Think might be "a complete freak".

"If he can run two miles he has to be pretty special."

Rodd said having experienced winning the 2007 Cup on Efficient was invaluable when preparing for this year's race.

"It makes life a lot easier for me," Rodd said.

"I know what is expected, I know what it takes to win and what is going to happen on the day."

He predicted Shocking would be within 10 lengths of the leaders approaching the home turn and making ground.

"I don't want to be more than 10 lengths off them, and he will be probably closer because I think the European horses will start pumping it up from the 1000m," Rodd said.

"They will all start going then. I will keep coming behind them.

"My bloke is not one-paced. He has got that electric turn of foot and when I want him to go I know he will find five lengths just like that."