POLITICIANS are clamouring for Media Puzzle to win the Melbourne Cup today — as well they might.

Predicting the fitful affections of the media can be as puzzling and fraught with difficulty as predicting the outcome of Australia’s most famous horse race.

Prime Minister John Howard, NSW Premier Bob Carr, Northern Territory Chief Minister Clare Martin and ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope are all tipping Media Puzzle.

Also in there for Media Puzzle are two swimming greats — Olympic champion of the present Ian Thorpe, and of the past, Dawn Fraser.

Federal Opposition Leader Simon Crean has opted for Rain Gauge, ahead of Media Puzzle.

But if you want to follow someone who has had a bit of luck lately, why not go with bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse? Last week, he had a court win, a judge staying his disqualification from racetracks over the extravagant odds affair. He’ll be at Flemington today with his wife, horse trainer Gai, and his tips, exclusive to The Australian, are, in order: Pugin, Beekeeper and Distinctly Secret.

Danielle Spencer, girlfriend of Russell Crowe, will sing the national anthem at Flemington. She’s opted for Jardines Lookout “because it would be nice for both the horse and his mate, Henry the pony”.

In case anyone’s missed the yarn, Jardines Lookout won’t go anywhere without his pony friend Henry, who has been flown out from Britain to keep his mate calm and on track.

Actor Rachel Griffiths has been overwhelmed by sentiment, opting for Henry. “He’s not going to be happy being left in the stalls when the race is on, he’s going to break out of his stall and win by a length.”It’s a million to one but I’m going to back it.”