Japan's Fame Game remains the strong favourite for the Melbourne Cup following the release of weights.

To be ridden by Hong Kong-based Australian Zac Purton, Fame Game has 57kg in the $6.2 million race on November 3 and is the clear-cut $8 favourite.

Irish galloper Max Dynamite, the winner of the Lonsdale Cup at his most recent start at York, is the next pick at $13.

Trained by Willie Mullins, Max Dynamite has been mixing hurdling and flat racing, just as Vintage Crop did before his 1993 Cup victory.

Co-topweight Snow Sky, another Japanese galloper Hokko Brave and Trip To Paris, prepared by Ed Dunlop of three-time Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux ($26) fame, share the third line at $16.

Last year's Cup winner Protectionist, who rises 1.5kg on the 56.5kg he carried to victory last year, eased from $18 to $21 for his title defence.

Either Protectionist or Snow Sky will break a 55-year hoodoo if successful.

In 22 attempts, no original topweight has filled a place in the race since Comic Court won the race in 1950.

Who Shot Thebarman, third behind Protectionist and Red Cadeaux last year, and Mongolian Khan, are the highest rated local gallopers in early betting at $18.