Billy Egan will line up in his second Melbourne Cup when he partners 2019 winner Vow And Declare.

Having been aboard Vow And Declare for all three runs this preparation, Billy Egan is looking forward to riding in just his second ever Melbourne Cup on Tuesday at Flemington having partnered 100-1 shot Etah James in 2020, finishing 17th behind Twilight Payment.

Egan believes 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare is back somewhere near his best having ridden him to finish second in both the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m) and Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) at his past two starts.

"That's the form you want to be bringing into these races, it's good that he's turned a corner in his career again considering he was injured and missed a whole season," Egan said.

Vow And Declare gave trainer Danny O'Brien and jockey Craig Williams their first Melbourne Cup victories in 2019, Williams able to settle third on the fence from barrier 21, and Egan has a similar task ahead having drawn barrier 19 this year.

"It will be my game plan, but I don't think I'm probably as magical as Craig anyway," Egan said.

Having been ridden by twelve different jockeys over his career, which has included runs in the 2019, 2020 and 2022 Melbourne Cup, Egan says he and the horse have worked well together this preparation.

"It'd be real humbling (to win), he's obviously been a really good horse in the past for the stable, I've built a good connection with him and it's always good when the sort of battlers or blue collars get up," Egan said.

Vow And Declare started $11 in his 2019 Melbourne Cup win when carrying 52kg, $61 when 18th in 2020, $21 when 10th last year and is rated a $23 chance in this year's edition with 53kg.