Jamie Mott will have just his second ride in the Melbourne Cup when he partners last year's winner Vow And Declare today.

With Craig Williams opting to ride Surprise Baby and Damien Oliver, who has ridden Vow And Declare in each of his last two starts, staying loyal to Russian Camelot, Mott was only locked in for the spare ride on the weekend.

"I knew I was a chance to ride him at the end of last week and I cantered him around on Friday morning," Mott told said.

"I didn't want to get ahead of myself in case it didn't pan out, but they said I was a big chance and then on Saturday afternoon I was confirmed. It's great. I wouldn't have believed you if you said 12 months' ago I'd be riding him, that's for sure."