Flemington looked in better shape ahead of the four-day Melbourne Cup carnival.

Flemington track manager Liam O'Keefe says the course has never looked in better shape ahead of the four-day Melbourne Cup carnival, but it is unfortunate that no-one will be on course to see it. 

Crowds have been banned from this year's carnival because of COVID-19 while in the past up to 300,000 patrons have attended over the four days. 

Mostly fine weather is predicted for the first three days of the carnival with the chance of a shower, or two, for Derby day on Saturday and Oaks day on Thursday. 

However, Cup day is looking perfect with a top of 28 degrees forecast. 

"It's a fairly straight forward forecast," O'Keefe told RSN927. 

"It's going to warm up during the week. We'll put plenty of water on after Derby day and get set for a big week." 

Saturday's meeting kicks off in the true position with O'Keefe planning on moving the rail each day. 

Last year's Cup meeting was run in the three-metre position. 

"Moving it in small, frequent moves, allows us to get off the wear and tear around the hometurn, get the horses onto fresh ground," O'Keefe said. 

"That gives us a good foundation to put plenty of water on to make sure the horses are galloping on fresh ground and not choppy ground. 

"It's worked over the past couple of years and we'll stick to the same method."