It’s here again, not just Australia’s greatest race but our greatest and most enduring cultural institution – the Melbourne Cup!
As always, at 3.00pm on the first Tuesday of November the nation will stop to watch the huge 24-horse field contest the 3200m (or two miles in the old) staying test, which has not only grown in its international era into the world’s best handicap, but one of the major races on the planet.
Gallen v Asofa-Solomona | Friday November 6 from 7pm AEDT | Australian sporting icon and crossover boxing king Paul Gallen returns to the ring to face his biggest opponent yet, Nelson ‘Big Nasty’ Asofa-Solomona. | Order now on Kayo Sports.
The story of the Cup is well known – first run in 1861 when won by the mighty Archer, and a grand stage for some all-time greats such as Phar Lap (1930), Carbine (1890), Rising Fast (1954) and Makybe Diva, the only horse to win three, from 2003-05.
Its history is entwined with the folklore of the country, its handicap conditions both symbolic of the nation’s egalitarian spirit and presenting an intriguing punting puzzle – one made only more juicy by the arrival of international horses since 1993.
We have eight foreign raiders this year, all from Britain and Ireland, and another 10 who were bred in the northern hemisphere.
Putting up the resistance are four Aussie-breds – led in betting markets by So You Are at around $21 and 2024 winner Knight’s Choice at $34 – plus two Kiwi-breds.
MELBOURNE CUP FIELD: Which 24 horses make final cut
BARRIER DRAW: Full results and who fared best — and worst
MELBOURNE CUP ULTIMATE GUIDE: Everything you need to know
It’s a bit of a tale of two stables this year, with Australia mega-trainer Ciaron Maher saddling a staggering seven runners, almost a third of the field, and Ireland’s Joseph O’Brien starting five. He’s won the race twice before so he knows the type of horse to bring.
This 166th running of the great race could be a touch damp. Showers are forecast for Monday and Tuesday, so check wet track records in our formguide if it becomes a soft 6 or worse.
Also it’s worth bearing in mind that they run on some very rain-affected going in Europe, so a soft track there is more like what we’d call heavy.
And don’t be put off by British and other European horses’ seemingly low prizemoney. They race for a lot less there than here.
Let’s dive right in.
Flemington, Tuesday, November 3
Race 7, 3.00pm
1. SONS AND LOVERS
Weight: 57.5kg Starting barrier (3)
Approximate win/place odds $21 / $6
6yo gelding
19: 4:2:5
Good: 16:3-2-4 Soft: 3:1-0-1 Heavy: 0:0-0-0
$2,673,759
T: Joseph O’Brien; J: Dylan Browne McMonagle
Best long-distance form: 1st, 3000m, Riyadh Red Sea Turf (G2) 14-02-26; 1st, 2800m, Longhchamp, France, Prix De Nieu (G2) 14-07-26; 4th, 3200m, Dubai Gold Cup (G2) 28-03-26.
Here’s something you don’t see often – an Irish raider with prizemoney. Importantly, this is a well-travelled gelding who’s been around and contested some important staying events. Went to Saudi Arabia to win that 3000m G2 in Riyadh in February, by half a length under 58kg from the well-performed Tabletalk. Followed with a decent fourth over this trip in the Dubai Gold Cup. Went to France in July to claim a G2 over 2800m with 59kg on soft going, then back to Ireland for his last-start second in a 2414m G3 on good going, under a whopping 63.5kg. Shapes as a tough stayer who can handle the travel, is with a smart travelling trainer in Joseph O’Brien, and has a top jockey aboard in Dylan Browne McMonagle. Always interesting to see how these types handle a Melbourne Cup, but his CV is as good as it could be to that end. Great inside barrier and he’s a definite each way chance.
2. TRUSTYOURINSTINCT
57kg (18)
$7 / $2.50
7yo gelding
25: 9-6-3
Good: 14:6-4-1 Soft: 9:3-2-1 Heavy: 2:0-0-1
$725,994
T: Joseph O’Brien; J: James McDonald
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2816m, Curragh Cup (G2) Ireland, 19-07-26; 1st, 3218m, Tramore, Ireland, hurdle, 31-05-24; 4th, 2816m, Irish St Leger (G1), Curragh, 13-09-26.
Another in the hands of the canny Joseph O’Brien and he’ll stay all day and is ultra consistent. Ran second in a hurdle over 3520m once, but also showed his class last start with that fourth in the St Leger, a quality race. Handles all sorts of going and has done a bit of travelling, with missions to Saudi Arabia and Italy. Will appreciate the weight drop since in his past 10 runs back home he’s carried between 61.5 and 63kg, and mostly 62.5kg. Two starts ago won the Curragh Cup, a good guide to this race. Third went to Al Riffa, who won the St Leger in 2025 before starting one of the favourites in the Melbourne Cup and running an OK seventh. So this bloke profiles pretty well. Plus O’Brien has engaged the best to ride him, James McDonald, who’s rated the No.1 jockey in the world and won this race before (in 2021 on Verry Elleegant). As always, you’re taking on trust that the horse has acclimatised well. The slight worry is that when he did go to Riyadh, he ran 8th of 10 in a G2. But that was over 2100m, and he’ll much prefer this trip. Difficult barrier, but he has to be included in the chances.
3. KNIGHT’S CHOICE
56.5kg (2)
$34/$9.25
7yo gelding
31: 6-3-3
Good: 19:5-1-2 Soft: 9:1-1-1 Heavy: 3:0-1-0
$5,965,550
T: John Symonds & Shiela Laxon; J: Robbie Dolan
Best long-distance form: 1st, 3200m, Melbourne Cup (G1), Flemington, 05-11-24; 3rd, 2400m, Herbert Power Stakes (G2) Caulfield, 10-10-26.
Who can forget when he won this race two years ago? Most punters can, since he was a despised $91 roughie, but he’s got the form on the board. That was a triumph for training, with few believing he could get the 3200m in his first try beyond 2400m. The key was getting him to settle near the back, get into his rhythm, use his fitness to travel smoothly throughout and then go bang with a finishing burst. The race was run to suit him, with the leaders going quick and getting tired, but he still did the business. He might need things to go similarly his way this time, and he has a significant five more kilos than he had in his win. Also, his recent form has been patchy. Ran a good third in the Herbert Power, beaten only 0.21 lengths, but was then ordinary in the Caulfield Cup when 14th, when he didn’t get that fast pace which would have helped his chances from the back. Has his Cup winning jockey Robbie Dolan aboard again, he’s drawn a beautiful gate, but he’s hard to recommend with confidence. Top eight could be a decent bet. But if you’re parochial, he’s one of just four starters who are Australian born and bred!
DUMMIES’ GUIDE: Melbourne Cup for beginners
4. MIDDLE EARTH
56.5 (1)
$15 / $4.50
7yo gelding
26: 6-2-3
Good: 17:4-1-2 Soft: 7:2-0-1 Heavy: 1:0-0-0
$1,653,040
T: Ciaron Maher; J: Mark Zahra
Best long-distance form: 3rd, 3200m, Melbourne Cup (G1) Flemington, 04-11-25; 1st, 2816m, Murless Stakes (Listed) Ascot, England, 06-10-23; 1st, 2816m, 3YO Handicap, York, England, 26-08-23.
European import who ran well in some good company in Britain before being snared by Ciaron Maher. Ran a great race in this event last year, despite patchy form leading in, to take third at $26, finishing well from 10th to be beaten 4.25 lengths. Is in strong enough form to produce something similar. Produced a fine trial in the Caulfield Cup when a 5.46 length ninth. That mightn’t sound great but he was working well to the line in one of those “behind the scenes” Caulfield Cup runs you like to see for this race. Then went to the Cox Plate and dudded in running eighth, but that weight-for-age form can be safely ignored with a view to this handicap. Trainer Maher obviously thought he needed that run to have him peaking for this race. Handles soft and good. Has a great jockey in Mark Zahra, who’s won this race twice before and, knowing he’ll handle the trip. Drawn beautifully in the inside gate. He’s a good each way hope and a good top six bet.
5. VAUBAN
56.5kg (22)
$51 / $13.50
9yo gelding
33: 10-5-6
Good: 18:4-2-3 Soft: 14:6-2-3 Heavy: 1:0-1-0
$2,609,243
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott; J: Jordan Childs
Best long-distance form: 1st, 3319m, Lonsdale Cup (Gr 2) York, England, 23-08-2024; 6th, 3200m, Melbourne Cup (Gr 1) Flemington, 04-11-2025.
Veteran former European lining up for his fourth shot at this. Disappointed in his first two but then showed he might be getting the hang of it when sixth last year. Can still impress on his day, such as winning a Rosehill G3 over 2000m first-up from a spell last March, then running third in the Tancred Stakes (G1, 2400m). But he’s a 9YO now, and they don’t win Melbourne Cups, plus his lead-in run in the Geelong Cup was ordinary, when ninth of 13. His chance at this race has probably come and gone. Drawn badly. Top 10 would be the best bet if you must.
6. ENFJAAR
56kg (8)
$21 / $6
7yo gelding
17: 5-2-3
Good: 11:1-2-3 Soft: 2:2-0-0 Heavy: 1:0-0-0
$888,181
T: Roger Varian; J: Ray Dawson
Best long-distance form: 3rd, 2400m, Caulfield Cup (G1), 17-10-26; 1st, 2414m, Glorious Stakes (G3), Goodwood, England, 01-08-26.
English raider who’s in form, with those two runs above being his last two starts. Caulfield Cup was strong when he travelled on the pace and then plugged away to take third. Prior to that, a third in a 2400m English G3 is good form for a staying contest in Australia. Is with a top English trainer, and jockey Ray Dawson said after Caulfield that he’d get the 3200m of the Big Cup no worries. The worry is, of course, that he hasn’t been beyond 2414m yet, and until you see them do it, that’s a question mark. Plus Dawson said the horse doesn’t show a great “turn of foot” – a burst of acceleration – which is often overlooked as a required attribute if you want to win a Melbourne Cup. One-paced stayers who’ll plug away all day rarely win it. Still, he looks a big-hearted, consistent type, he’s drawn well, and he’s a top six chance.
7. ROYAL SUPREMACY
56kg (21)
$51/$13.50
6yo gelding
22: 7-3-4
Good: 9:3-2-1 Soft: 10:1-1-3 Heavy: 2:2-0-0
$2,180,412
T: Ciaron Maher; J: Ben Allen
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2400m, The Metropolitan (G1) Randwick, 04-10-25; 1st, 2200m, Q22 (G2), Eagle Farm, 13-06-26; 5th, 2400m, Caulfield Cup (G1), 18-10-25.
Former European imported into the powerful Maher stable who has won some decent races here. Best Australian effort was his 0.77 length win in last year’s Metropolitan, before a strong fifth in the Caulfield Cup. Can run on all sorts of going. However, he can also mix his form a bit. Turned in great all-the-way wins in the Q22 and, two starts later, Caulfield’s JRA Cup (Gr 3, 2000m). But then was a fancied runner when he put in a shocker in the Caulfield Cup, having an easy time setting a slow pace up front, but then stopping abruptly in the straight to run 15th, beaten 17 lengths. Impossible to have here after that, especially from the wide gate.
8. WINE DARK SEA
56kg (23)
$51/$13.50
5yo gelding
11: 4-2-0
Good: 7:3-2-0 Soft: 1:0-0-0 Heavy: 0:0-0-0
$309,842
T: Harry Charlton; J: Damian Lane
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2671m, Freer Stakes, Newbury, England, 15-08-26; 1st, 2405m, handicap, Ascot, England, 09-05-26.
Highly-rated English stayer who was a fancied $8 chance in the Caulfield Cup. Did it a bit tough there, going across from a wide gate to sit outside the leader without cover, got shuffled back as others made their runs by the 800m, then came again to take the lead around the home bend. Was no surprise to see him fade away to finish 11th after that, beaten 6.61 lengths. Mind you, there was no pace in that race, so his run probably wasn’t as tough as it looked. But he’ll be fitter for that outing, his first since that August 15 win at Newbury in a race which quite a few Cup runners have come through over the years. Would have liked to have seen more at Caulfield though. He would have to turn up at his very best to threaten here though. Wide barrier doesn’t help. Top 10 best.
9. ASTERIX
55kg (6)
$101/$26
8yo gelding
33: 8-1-2
Good: 22:5-1-2 Soft: 6:1-0-0 Heavy: 5:2-0-0
$1,500,446
T: Chris Waller; J: Jye McNeil
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2400m, Tatt’s Cup (G3), Eagle Farm, Brisbane, 27-06-26; 1st, 2400m, New Zealand Derby (G1), Auckland, 05-03-22; 4th, 3200m, Auckland Cup (G2), 09-03-24.
Honest old stayer in the care of the great Chris Waller. He’s won three races this year from 2000m to 2400m, and has some 3200m form with that Auckland Cup fourth, beaten 2.6 lengths, but his more recent form this spring has been moderate. Ran 12th, beaten 7.11 lengths, in the Caulfield Cup (G1, 2400m) last start, and was last of 13 in the Turnbull before that. Good gate helps, but he’s a rough top 10 hope only.
10. GOODIE TWO SHOES
55kg (19)
$26 / $7
8yo mare
23: 8-2-5
Good: 10:6-1-1 Soft: 13:2-1-4 Heavy: 0:0-0-0
$298,143
T: Joseph O’Brien; J: Wayne Lordan
Best long-distance form: 2nd, 3200m, Melbourne Cup (G1) Flemington, 04-11-25; 1st, 3218m, His Majesty’s Plate (Listed), Down Royal, Ireland, 30-05-25; 1st, 2816m, Lillie Langtry Stakes (G2) Goodwood, England, 01-08-26.
The Cup has a history of European raiders who’ve come several times and performed well, like multiple placegetters Red Cadeaux and Prince Of Arran. You love to see them capable of making the long trip and coping with the race – its distance and the occasion. This mare did that wonderfully last year, crossing from gate 20, racing up on the pace and sticking on heroically to run a 2.75 length second at $41, and now here she is again. You don’t often see European females make the trip here, so her shrewd Irish trainer obviously knows she’s a reliable type. And once you know they can run well in a Melbourne Cup, it’s a big start. She also has experienced Irishman Wayne Lordan aboard, who’s ridden her once – in last year’s Cup. The slight concern is she only had 51.5kg last year, and rises to 55kg this time, which is significant. She’s also now classed down here as an 8YO, and those have a poor record in this race with only three winners in 165 runnings. But she’s really only seven-and-a-half biologically, and she’s in form, winning that 2816m Goodwood G2 two runs back. She humped 61kg that day, a hefty weight even if the race was for females only. Drawn badly again, but she’s did it from out there last year. She’s a good each way chance, and strong top six bet.
11. JUJA KIBO
53.5kg (14)
$15 / $4.50
6yo gelding
20: 6-3-6
Good: 12:2-3-3 Soft: 6:3-0-3 Heavy: 2:1-0-0
$1,404,634
T: Ciaron Maher; J: Sam Clipperton
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2500m, Moonee Valley Cup (G2), Flemington, 24-10-26; 1st, 2400m, The Metropolitan (G2) Randwick, 03-10-26.
Another from the Ciaron Maher European import production line, but this one has had two years to settle in. And while he’s a very consistent type who’d shown some strong form before, in this campaign he appears to have really boomed. Second-up from a spell he ran a good 0.85 length second in a Randwick G2 over 2000m. He then stepped up to the 2400m of The Metropolitan and won it handsomely, by 1.71 lengths. Then stepped up an extra 100m in the Moonee Valley Cup and flew home to win that, by 0.5 lengths beating Kings Valley – who’d run a strong fifth in the Caulfield Cup – into second. The worry is his 3200m form. He’s only tried it once, running a well beaten ninth of 14 in the Sydney Cup, which is far less onerous a 3200m race than this one. Still, he appears to have struck a rich vein of form at the right time. Has regular rider Sam Clipperton aboard, who knows him well and has ridden him in his past two winning starts. Good gate. Each way chance and decent top six hope, and chances improve on a wet track.
12. HOPEWELL ROCK
54.5kg (15)
$9 / $3
5yo gelding
10: 3-3-2
Good: 5:2-0-2 Soft: 3:0-3-0 Heavy: 2:1-0-0
$402,417
T: George Boughey; J: Zac Lloyd
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2816m, handicap, Goodwood, England, 01-0-26; 2nd, 2786m, Ebor Hcp, York, England, 22-08-26.
From a very progressive stable in England, which has engaged one of Australia’s best jockeys for the ride, and he brings strong form and was well backed for this race last week, firming from $18 to $9. Ran second, beaten only 0.1 lengths, in the Ebor Handicap last start – one of England’s best staying races and often a springboard into the Melbourne Cup for the visitors. He was beaten by a very smart stayer there in Daiquiri Bay, who’s won three of his four starts. At the start before, this horse won over 2816m at Goodwood, carrying 61kg, so he’ll love the drop in weight here. Winning over that trip in England is a good sign he’ll get the 3200m at Flemington. Plus he can do it in all forms of going. He’s a lightly-raced 5YO who profiles well for this. You’ve got to take on trust that he’s acclimatised well etc. Drawn a little wide in 15, but he looks a definite each way chance.
13. ONESMOOTHOPERATOR
54.5kg (13)
$101/$26
9yo gelding
51: 6-11-6
Good: 19:2-0-3 Soft: 4:0-1-0 Heavy: 0:0-0-0
$1,522,317
T: Tim Fitzsimmons; J: Declan Bates
Best long-distance form: 1st, 3319m, Newbury handicap, 29-06-24; 1st, 2500m, Moonee Valley Cup (G2) 24-10-25; 1st, 2400m, Geelong Cup (G3) 23-10-24.
American-bred gelding who did most of his racing in England before visiting for the past two Melbourne Cups, then staying here with Bendigo trainer Tim Fitzsimmons. Has won at longer trips than this, and scored sparkling wins in the Geelong Cup of 2024 and last year’s Moonee Valley Cup. His two Melbourne Cup runs don’t inspire confidence, however: a 12th in 2024 and a 16th last year. He’s a 9YO now too, and his recent form is arguably worse, with his last two starts a ninth of 13 in the Herbert Power, then an 11th of 13 in the Geelong Cup. OK barrier, decent rider in Declan Bates, but looking elsewhere.
14. SOUL OF SPAIN
54.5kg (5)
$51/$13.50
6yo gelding
26: 5-6-6
Good: 16:4-3-3 Soft: 8:1-1-2 Heavy: 2:0-1-1
$1,170,778
T: Chris Waller; J: Tommy Berry
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2300m, Newcastle Cup (G3), 19-09-25; 2nd, 3200m, Sydney Cup (G1), Randwick, 11-04-26; 1st, 3319m maiden, Thurles, Ireland, 10-10-24.
Another longshot from the Waller stable. Bit hard to assess his Caulfield Cup run. Made a bold mid-race move from the back to the front at the 850m when the jockey got sick of the slow pace. That took its toll and he weakened to finish eighth, beaten 4.71 lengths. Wasn’t the worst of runs from a $61 bolter. Before that was a modest seventh in The Metropolitan at Randwick. Go on his Sydney Cup second, when he made huge ground from the back to be beaten only 0.26 lengths, with Berry aboard. His recent form is patchy, but you know he’ll get the trip, and there’s no better person to prepare him than Waller. Plus he has an ideal inside gate. There’s usually a bolter who shows up in the first four or five in this race, and he could be it.
15. ZAHRANN
54.5kg (11)
$26 / $7.25
5yo stallion
12: 4-2-1
Good: 8:4-2-0 Soft: 2:0-0-0 Heavy: 2:0-0-1
$505,873
T: Ciaron Maher; J: Ben Melham
Best long-distance form: 6th, 2400m, Caulfield Cup (G1), 17-10-26; 1st, 2414m, Leopardstown, King George V (Listed), 05-06-25.
Another Maher import who turned in a fair trial for this when sixth in the Caulfield Cup. Did have a cushy run though, travelling midfield on the fence, and could have been stronger through the line, in his first try at 2400m in more than a year. Three starts back was an impressive one length winner in a Caulfield 2000m G3. Is by a super sire in the UK in Night Of Thunder, whose offspring can handle most things. Decent big race jockey aboard. But there has to be a distance doubt about him. Good gate. Rough top 10 hope.
16. SO YOU ARE
54kg (7)
$21/$6
5yo gelding
28: 8-6-6
Good: 12:4-1-4 Soft: 13:3-5-1 Heavy: 3:1-0-1
$1,267,620
T: Bjorn Baker; J: Rachel King
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2600m, St Leger (Gr 3), Randwick, 17-10-26; 1st, 2400m, Bendigo Cup (Gr 3), 28-10-26; 1st, 2400m, Colin Stephen Handicap (Gr 3), Rosehill, 26-09-26.
Tough stayer, the main Australian hope, and is in blistering form. Those three wins listed above are his past three starts, and in the start before he also won another black type 2400m race at Randwick. So he’s flying, as is the stable and the jockey. King’s ridden him in three of his past four wins, including at Bendigo, and knows him well. The worry is he hasn’t been tried at 3200m, and while he’s in form, those past four starts were short of top class company. But the way he’s been going, you wouldn’t put this past him, especially since he drops from at average of 58kg in those past four wins to just 54kg here. Will be in it for a long way. Beautiful barrier. Each way chance and a definite top six hope.
17. FUTURE HISTORY
53.5kg (12)
$51/$13.50
9yo gelding
47: 10-6-6
Good: 28:5-4-5 Soft: 16:4-2-1 Heavy: 2:1-0-0
$1,438,588
T: Greg Hickman; J: Jamie Melham
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2800m, Bagot Handicap (Listed), Flemington, 31-12-25; 1st, 2400m, Christmas Cup (Listed), Randwick, 13-12-25; 4th, 2400m, Herbert Power Stakes (Gr 2), Caulfield, 10-10-26.
Has performed well in some OK races over his long, long career, with that win in the 2800m Bagot last New Year’s Eve probably his best pointer for this. But he was punted to a new stable two runs after that – from Ciaron Maher to Warwick Farm’s Greg Hickman – in a sign Maher thought he’d done as much as he could. That’s probably obvious, since he turned nine a few months later. Nine-year-olds don’t win the Melbourne Cup, or go any good in it generally. His Herbert Power fourth two starts back wasn’t too bad, but then he ran ninth in the Moonee Valley Cup. Has tried a Melbourne Cup before, in 2023, and ran 15th. Decent middle barrier, but looking elsewhere.
18. JAMES J BRADDOCK
53.5kg (24)
$11/$3.50
4yo gelding
7: 2-1-1
Good: 4:1-0-0 Soft: 2:0-1-1 Heavy: 1:1-0-0
$563,534
T: Joseph O’Brien; J: Craig Williams
Best long-distance form: 3rd, 2420m, English Derby (G1), Epsom, 06-06-26; 1st, 2011m, Derby Trial (G3), Leopardstown, Ireland, 10-05-26.
Lightly raced gelding who ran third in the highly prestigious Epsom Derby three runs ago, beaten 5.25 lengths. Fits the profile of a couple of recent European winners of this race as a northern hemisphere 3YO (they’re classed as 4YOs down here), who gets in with a relatively light weight due to their limited history. Trainer O’Brien obviously thinks he fits the mould, and he goes on all going. Top jockey in Craig Williams, who’s won this race once before. The worry is he hasn’t been tried beyond the 2420m Derby trip, plus his last two runs, in Ireland, have been moderate. First, he ran sixth of eight in the Irish Derby (G1, 2414). Then he was gelded, since he was a pretty unruly type, but he still couldn’t run any better than sixth of 10 in Leopardtown’s Kilternan Stakes (G3, 2414m). So, when assessing the foreign raiders, there’s more question marks over this one than most, especially since he has the widest gate. Take on trust.
19. KIZLYAR
53.5kg (20)
$34 / $9.25
5yo gelding
11: 3-2-2
Good: 4:2-1-0 Soft: 6:1-1-2 Heavy: 1:0-0-0
$202,850
T: Joseph O’Brien; J: Beau Mertens
Best long-distance form: 1st, 4013m, handicap, Royal Ascot, 16-06-26; 1st, 2816m, set weights, Killkenny, Ireland, 12-05-26; 2nd, 2816m, St Leger Trial (Gr 3), Curragh, Ireland, 22-08-26.
Another from the Joseph O’Brien camp who had strong form back home through the northern summer. Won over that 4013m distance at Royal Ascot, as a $26 chance, so you know he’ll get the trip. Plus carries five kilos less here. Proven in good and soft going. However, Australian lead-up run in the Moonee Valley Cup was poor when – as a well-backed $3.80 favourite – he raced up on the pace and weakened badly to finish 11th. Needs to improve drastically on that. Plus he was down on O’Brien’s pecking order and only got a start when his stablemate Defiantly was ordered out on Saturday. Rotten gate. Rough top 10 hope at best.
20. POINT OF LAW
53kg (9)
$6 / $2.25
4yo stallion
5: 3-1-0
Good: 5: 3-1-0
$578,200
T: Ciaron Maher; J: Ethan Brown
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2400m, Geelong Cup (Gr 3), 21-10-26; 1st Newmarket, England, 2615m Gr 3, 09-07-26
Your Melbourne Cup favourite and he ticks several boxes. Very well bred, being by the super sire Frankel and with his mum, her mum and her mum all well performed in good class stamina races. More importantly, he’s backed it up with his form, and was thus targeted by master trainer Ciaron Maher, who’s had decent success in Australia from sniffing out a good European stayer or eight to buy and import. At his last British start he won a G3 at Newmarket over 2615m. Then made his Australian debut, and despite a gap of more than three months between runs he looked strong in winning the Geelong Cup, always a good guide to this race, when he raced on the pace and kept kicking in the straight, refusing to be beaten. Has to go 600m further than before and is very inexperienced compared to some others, but does look a classy stayer. The very competent Ethan Brown retains the ride from Geelong. Beautiful middle barrier. He’s among the main chances.
Melb Cup Jockey won’t ride till race day | 00:59
21. STRICTLY BUSINESS
53kg (4)
$101/$26
4yo mare
11: 2-2-0
$920,150
T: Thomas Carberry; J: Michael Dee
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2500m, VRC Oaks (Gr 1), Flemington, 06-11-25; 2nd, 2500m, South Australian Derby (Gr 1), Morphettville, 02-05-26.
This Aussie-bred mare, trained at Ballarat, is another representing the locals. Connections will have started thinking about this Cup 12 months ago when she won the VRC Oaks, which is often seen as a sign of a potentially good stayer. However, she’s gone right off the boil since. Had an improved run in May when a narrow second in the SA Derby, but her three runs leading into this have been a 14th of 16, a 12th of 13, and a 16th of 16. She’s lost interest.
22. MR MONACO
52.5kg (16)
$26 / $7.50
6yo gelding
20: 6-2-2
Good: 14: 3-1-2 Soft: 5: 2-1-0 Heavy: 1: 1-0-0
$674,050
T: Ciaron Maher; J: Jabez Johnstone
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2520m, The Bart Cummings (G3) Flemington, 03-10-26; 1st, 2400m, Rosehill Manion Cup (G3) 21-03-26.
Another British stayer brought out here to race with Ciaron Maher, and is in fine form. Booked his ticket by winning the Bart Cummings in dominant style by 1.25 lengths two starts ago on a heavy track. Followed with a good third in last Saturday’s Moonee Valley Cup over 2500m, beaten 0.75 lengths behind Juja Kibo and Kings Valley. Those are his only two runs at Flemington, so he clearly loves it there. The worry is he’s only had one go past 2500m – in last April’s Sydney Cup over this 3200m trip – and he dudded in running 11th of 14, when second favourite. Hard to back with that hanging over his head.
Also has an apprentice jockey on board in Jabez Johnstone. He’s a talent on the rise, but no apprentice has won this since 1983, although such records keep getting broken. Drawn a touch wide. Top 10 best.
23. ZAKOUMA
52kg (10)
$34/$9.25
6yo gelding
18: 5-2-1
Good: 12:3-2-0 Soft: 4:1-0-1 Heavy: 2:1-0-0
$393,110
T: Grahame Begg; J: William Pike
Best long distance form: 1st, 2800m, The Andrew Ramsden (Listed), Flemington, 16-05-26; 5th, 2400m, Herbert Power Stakes (G2) Caulfield, 10-10-26.
Another Australian-bred who booked his ticket to this Cup by winning the Ramsden back in May, by 0.75 lengths. That’s not exactly a strong race though, with zero other Cup starters coming from it, and no household names amongst them. So he’ll find this tougher, and his recent form has been just OK. Ran in a 1600m event to top up fitness on October 24 and ran last, as you might expect. Start before was a solid fifth in the Herbert Power, making good ground from ninth at the 400m to be beaten only 2.36 lengths. Class is the big query, however. He’s meeting far better opposition here than he ever has, and while he looks a durable stayer, winning a 2800m event in the “off season” of May is leagues below running in a Melbourne Cup. Has the Wizard of the West William Pike on board, fresh from his Cox Plate win on Cosmic Crusader. He does have a tiny weight, but we’re still looking elsewhere.
24. SHOCKLETZ
51kg (17)
$11 / $3.50
5yo mare
20: 7-3-1
Good: 12:4-2-1 Soft: 7:3-1-0 Heavy: 1:0-0-0
$650,875
T: Ciaron Maher; J: Harry Coffey
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2500m, Archer Stakes (G3), Flemington, 12-09-26; plus two 2500m wins in restricted class at Flemington and Pakenham in 2025.
Talented staying mare, another trained by the master Ciaron Maher, but this one is “locally” bred, (from NZ). Has the right pedigree, with her father Shocking winning a Melbourne Cup. Goes on soft or good going, is racing well, and has the competent Harry Coffey aboard. Has had an unusual Cup preparation in that she’s been racing basically since May, but has had a couple of mini-breaks to freshen up. Booked Cup ticket by winning the Archer, then was eased off for a month before finishing well for sixth in Caulfield’s Herbert Power Stakes (G2, 2400m), then impressed again flashing home for a 0.46 length second in a 2040m G3 at Flemington last Saturday. The concern is she has to leap 1160m from that run to this, and she hasn’t been tried beyond 2500m yet. But drops to a tiny weight from 58kg last start, and she should have a nice quiet run back in field to get her best chance of emulating her father. Place hope.
TIPS: 1. MIDDLE EARTH, 2. Goodie Two Shoes, 3. Juja Kibo, 4. Point Of Law.
Best roughie: Soul Of Spain.
