Former Southern District jockey Blaike McDougall rewarded with the ride on Carif in the Melbourne Cup

Interstate travel restrictions and bans to some of Victoria's leading jockeys, including last year's Melbourne premiership-winning rider Jamie Kah, has opened the way for six debutants in the $7.75 mil race.

McDougall, who was based in Albury until September, will ride long shot Carif ($101) in the 3200m event.

"Blaike was on the fringe for a while and it was a little late knowing he was going to get the race," Carif's co-trainer Peter Snowden revealed.

"A few of the other favourites dropped out, so he became available very quickly and around the 52 and a half (kilograms), there weren't that many left that could take the ride.

"I've known Blaike for quite a while and credit to himself, it's not luck that's got him where he is, it's hard work and as we all know the harder you work, the luckier you get in this game and he's testament to that.

"When you have a good work ethic, you become good at your job and that's what he's become."

McDougall's move in search of more opportunities meant he had to leave his young family on the border, with partner Danielle and their two children only moving last week.

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"Good on him, he's gone down there and taken a bit of a punt, he decided to try something different and see if he could break in down there," Albury trainer and Danielle's mother Donna Scott said.

"We probably weren't expecting it so soon, it's hard to break in when you get to new areas.

"It's a bit unbelievable, it's what everyone associated with racing wants to do, be involved in the Melbourne Cup."

McDougall had the most winners in NSW last season and finished second in the national jockeys premiership to Chris Parnham.

"When he moved to the regional areas he was getting a full book of rides and riding three to four winners every week, so you keep doing that and you get confidence," Snowden suggested.

While the Peter Moody-trained Incentivise ($2.80) is one of the hottest favourites of the past century, including the 1930 win by Phar Lap ($1.73), Snowden remains buoyant with his six-year-old.

"His two mile form is very good," he offered.

"He won the Sandown Cup last year and was second in the Brisbane Cup this year.

"So from 2600m on, his record is very good, I know he's wide in the betting, he's certainly not wide in our mind."

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