Echuca trainer Daryl Archard has died following a battle with illness.

Trainer Rob Blacker has options to start the Melbourne Cup campaign of Tigertiger.

Starcaster will be out to enhance his 2500m record at The Valley when he lines up on Saturday.

A malfunctioning sprinkler was found to be the cause of a damp section of track resulting in the postponement of the Benalla Cup.