How many horses are there in the melbourne cup 2009?

the answer is 24 to the best of my understanding. in a 2003 posting this article indicates 24 horses. there were 23 because a horse got a fever. I don't know if there has been a difference in competitors from 2003 to 2006. reference ===>> http://horseracing dot about dot com/od/melbournecup/l/aa110303a.htm