Cup Link

Melbourne Cup 2024

Last Updated Monday, January 1, 2024

It’s the race that supposedly stops the nation.

Well actually, that’s only half true.

Actually, it stops two nations if you include New Zealand.

These days if you include all international countries where they take a vested interest in the race, this would include countries such as Hong Kong, Japan, Ireland, England, France, Germany, and maybe United Arab Emirates.

Probably not enough interest to stop those nations, considering also the time difference, as the race will be screened live early on Tuesday morning in the wee hours.

So, the Melbourne Cup – it truly is a global event on the international horse racing calendar.

And we know how to find the winner.

The cup has the history, the tradition, and is considered without doubt an elite horse race for connections to win, and at present it is the richest handicap race in the world, prize money now stands at A$8 million.

To a man, woman and child in Australia, everyone will know what’s happening on the first Tuesday of November every year.

Australians seem to have this innate ability to celebrate this race on an annual basis, as if born to it.

Melbourne Cup Information

The Melbourne Cup is a fast-approaching event, with the 2024 Melbourne Cup set to start at 3 PM on Tuesday, November 7th. This year’s race is more exciting than ever, with many celebrations occurring both inside and outside the racecourse. The Lexus Melbourne Cup is the major attraction of the Melbourne Cup Festival, but several more races and social gatherings keep everyone occupied.

The Melbourne Cup is a ten-race program that features various race lengths and monetary targets. While the 3200-metre Lexus Melbourne Cup is undoubtedly the most prestigious event on Australia’s racing calendar, the entire Melbourne Cup day event is structured as a complete and exciting experience.

Flemington Melbourne Cup Timetable

RaceDistanceTime
Darley Maribyrnong Plate (Group 3)1000mTBC
The Macca's Run2800mTBC
MSS Security SubZero Handicap1400mTBC
Furphy Plate (Listed)1800mTBC
Paramount+ Trophy1400mTBC
The Schweppervescence Plate1000mTBC
Lexus Melbourne Cup (Group 1)3200mTBC
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (Group 3)1400mTBC
TAB Trophy (Listed)1800mTBC
Desirable Stakes (Listed)1400mTBC

With ladies donning their most lavish headwear and brilliant dresses, it is no surprise that everyone knows how much individuals like getting dressed up and making a bet on this momentous occasion.

Several marquees will be available for hire, some being equipped for VIP guests. In addition to this, their entertainment and other activities will take place throughout the day. If interested, corporate marquee and dining packages are already available for bookings!

The Melbourne Cup hosts the second biggest prize in Australian sport, contested by horses worldwide. So it is incredible when you think that Australia stops to a standstill to listen to and watch the big event, with a 100,000-plus crowd also expected to witness the race live.

It’s not all about racing, however, with a wide range of fashion, dining, and entertainment. This November, the Flemington Racecourse will roar to life with fashion presentations, live music, and the most incredible foods and beverages available.

Melbourne Cup

Melbourne Cup 2022

The Melbourne Cup will be held on November 5, 2024, the first Tuesday of the month. The race will begin at 3 PM at Flemington racecourse and go for about (3 kilometres).

The last field for the Melbourne Cup in 2024 will be determined on Saturday, November 2. The Lexus Hotham Stakes will take place to decide the final remaining position in the Melbourne Cup field.

Out of the 24 runners in the Melbourne Cup Field, prize money is given to the first ten horses that cross the finish line. View the amounts allocated to each position below with a total prize pool of $8 million.

  • 1st $4,400,000
  • 2nd $1,10,000
  • 3rd $550,000
  • 4th $350,000
  • 5th $230,000
  • 6th $160,000
  • 7th $160,000
  • 8th $160,000
  • 9th $160,000
  • 10th $160,000
  • 11th $160,000
  • 12th $160,000

Melbourne Cup Betting

The Melbourne Cup is the most-viewed and wagered upon events in Australia. The Victoria Racing Club hosts the Melbourne Cup with a betting turnover of about $80 million USD with just the TAB. If you’re looking for more information on Melbourne Cup betting, we suggest visiting our page to learn about different wager options.

Do you want to bet on the Melbourne Cup? Learn how to wager on the Melbourne Cup with us.

The odds

Melbourne Cup betting odds go hand in hand with Melbourne Cup betting; however, there are some minor differences. Betting describes the entire market in a race, while odds refer to each horse’s price when betting. The horse with the lowest odds is considered the race favourite, and betting odds are decided by who the bookmaker feels has the best chance of winning. Pundits frequently bet on horses that start at a specific price and then drift lower or higher after they have been backed into these particular figures.

Betting tips

Melbourne Cup is one of Australia’s most significant betting events, and it’s not uncommon for work conversations and family banter to centre around who people are betting on. Unfortunately, as we don’t know the official field for the race yet, we can’t give any tips, but we can provide the best methods for selecting your tips. So check out our Tips page to find out more.

Melbourne Cup day

The Melbourne Cup race is held every year on the first Tuesday of November. The event consists of ten races, with the main race – the Melbourne Cup – being seventh on the schedule at 3 PM. Most businesses and schools usually stop work for this duration so that employees and students can tune into their TVs or radios to listen to what has been dubbed ‘the race that stops a nation.

Melbourne Cup field

Hundreds of horses are suggested by their connections for the Melbourne Cup every year. There are several levels of acceptances to qualify for before the race, which connections must pay a fee to continue with their bid to win the Melbourne Cup Field.

The race is named for the second horse who has won a Group race from around the world more than 2400 meters, stirring debate about whether specific international runners could make the field.

Melbourne Cup Stats

There are various elements to consider when selecting the Melbourne Cup winner. With a probable field size of 24 horses, it’s often down to the jockey’s ride on the horse, so we look at the most successful Melbourne Cup jockeys, with Damien Oliver and Glen Boss having ridden three winners each.

Flemington racecourse

The Melbourne Cup, held annually at Flemington Racecourse since its inception in 1864, is the world’s most prestigious and valuable Thoroughbred horse race. The racecourse’s circumference is 2,312 meters. There are 1.27 kilometres between the racecourse and various adjacent areas.

Melbourne Cup Carnival

The 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival lasts an entire week, consisting of four race days. Derby day, Melbourne Cup, Oaks day, and the carnival’s final day are all Victoria Derby day in 2024. Our suggested date for families is Lexus Stakes day, which is the last race of the carnival.

The 2024 carnival will begin on October 29 and conclude on November 6, with the race being held on November 1.

The Fashion

Fashionable men and women flock to Flemington for the Melbourne Cup Carnival every year. In recent years, menswear has become more competitive than ever–a far cry from its former days as a fashion event dominated by women.

Melbourne Cup barrier draw

The Melbourne Cup barrier draw is held on Victoria Derby day, November 2 this year.

The Lexus Hotham Stakes is the final race on Derby day, and it’s when Melbourne Cup hopefuls can try to make it into the closing field. As a result, the barrier draw must start after this moment.

Therefore, the VRC announces the final Melbourne Cup Field and barriers at 5:30 PM sharp.

Melbourne Cup order of entry

While the Melbourne Cup attracts hundreds of nominations yearly, only twenty-four runners are allowed in the final field. Unfortunately, this means that most nominated horses won’t get a chance to compete.

Melbourne Cup Sweep

If you’re looking for a cheap, fun way to experience the Melbourne Cup this year, look no further than participating in a Sweep! We provide all the information you need to organise your own Work Sweep. It’s simple and easy – so be sure to join in on the fun this year!

Melbourne Cup International runners

The Melbourne Cup, the most watched horse race in Australia, is a 3200-meter race contested by three-year-old horses and above. The Melbourne Cup held on November 1 at Flemington Racecourse, has become known as “the race that stops a nation.” Throughout its lengthy history, which dates back to 1861, several foreign horses have prevailed in this prestigious event.

The best winners

Horses who win the Melbourne Cup are considered some of the best in history, especially those that have won multiple times. However, with increased weights and changing conditions, it takes an exceptional horse to achieve this; multiple winners typically go to extremes to ensure their horses are healthy and up for the challenge on race day.

Makybe Diva has won the Melbourne Cup three times, most recently in 2015, while Archer and arguably Australia’s most well-known horse Phar Lap have won the race twice each.

Previous Melbourne Cup Winners

YearWinnerAgeGenderJockeyTrainerOwnerTimeField
2023--------
2022Gold Trip6StallionMark ZahraCiaron Maher & David EustaceAustralian Bloodstock et al.3:24:0422
2021Verry Elleegant6MareJames McDonaldChris WallerJomara Bloodstock Ltd et al.03:17.423
2020Twilight Payment8GeldingJye McNeilJoseph O'BrienLloyd Williams et al.03:17.323
2019Vow And Declare4GeldingCraig WilliamsDanny O'BrienG Corrigan et al.03:24.824
2018Cross Counter4GeldingKerrin McEvoyCharlie ApplebyGodolphin03:21.224
2017Rekindling4StallionCorey BrownJoseph O'BrienLloyd Williams et al.03:21.323
2016Almandin7GeldingKerrin McEvoyRobert HickmottLloyd Williams et al.03:20.624
2015Prince of Penzance6GeldingMichelle PayneDarren WeirA McGregor et al.03:23.124
2014Protectionist5StallionRyan MooreAndreas Wöhler Australian Bloodstock et al.03:17.722
2013Fiorente6StallionDamien OliverGai WaterhouseAndrew Roberts et al.03:20.324
2012Green Moon6StallionBrett PrebbleRobert HickmottLloyd Williams et al.03:20.424
2011Dunaden6StallionChristophe LemaireMikel DelzanglesPearl Bloodstock Pty (Mgr. R Levitt)03:20.823
2010Americain6StallionGérald MosséAlain de Royer-DupréGerry Ryan, K. C Bamford03:26.923
2009Shocking4StallionCorey BrownMark KavanaghEales Racing Pty Ltd03:23.923
2008Viewed5StallionBlake ShinnBart CummingsDato Tan Chin Nam et al.03:20.422
2007Efficient4GeldingMichael RoddGraeme RogersonLloyd Williams et al.03:23.321
2006Delta Blues6StallionYasunari IwataKatsuhiko SumiiSunday Racing Co Ltd03:21.523
2005Makybe Diva7MareGlen BossLee FreedmanEmily Krstina Syndicate03:19.224
2004Makybe Diva6MareGlen BossLee FreedmanEmily Krstina Syndicate03:28.524
2003Makybe Diva5MareGlen BossDavid HallEmily Krstina Syndicate03:19.923
2002Media Puzzle6GeldingDamien OliverDermot K. WeldDr M. W. Smurfit, et al.03:17.023
2001Ethereal4MareScott SeamerSheila LaxonP. J. & P. M. Vela03:21.122
2000Brew6GeldingKerrin McEvoyMike MoroneyGurner's Bloodstock Co.03:18.722
1999Rogan Josh7GeldingJohn MarshallBart CummingsMrs W. L. Green, et al.03:19.624
1998Jezabeel6MareChris MunceBrian JenkinsA. K. Burr, et al.03:18.624
1997Might and Power4StallionJim CassidyJack DenhamMr N. Moraitis03:18.322
1996Saintly4GeldingDarren BeadmanBart CummingsDato Tan Chin Nam et al.03:18.822
1995Doriemus5GeldingDamien OliverLee FreedmanPacers Australia Syndicate03:27.621
1994Jeune6StallionWayne HarrisDavid HayesShadwell Racing03:19.824
1993Vintage Crop7GeldingMichael KinaneDermot K. WeldDr M. W. Smurfit03:23.424
1992Subzero4StallionGreg HallLee FreedmanD H K Investments03:24.721
1991Let's Elope4MareSteven KingBart CummingsShoreham Park Syndicate03:18.924
1990Kingston Rule5StallionDarren BeadmanBart CummingsMr & Mrs D. H. Hains03:16.324
1989Tawrrific5StallionShane DyeLee FreedmanB. F. Avery, et al.03:17.123
1988Empire Rose6MareTony AllanLaurie LaxonMr & Mrs F. R. Bodle03:18.922
1987Kensei5GeldingLarry OlsenLes J. BridgeK. M. Mitchell, et al.03:22.021
1986At Talaq6StallionMichael ClarkeC S HayesShadwell Racing03:21.722
1985What A Nuisance7GeldingPat HylandJohn MeagherLloyd Williams et al.03:23.023
1984Black Knight5GeldingPeter CookGeorge HanlonRobert Holmes à Court03:18.919
1983Kiwi6GeldingJim CassidyEwen S. LuptonMr & Mrs E. S. Lupton03:18.924
1982Gurner's Lane4GeldingMick DittmanGeoff MurphyWilliams St. Syndicate No 203:21.223
1981Just A Dash4GeldingPeter CookT J SmithLloyd Williams et al.03:21.222
1980Beldale Ball5StallionJohn LettsC S HayesSwettenham Stud Syndicate03:19.822
1979Hyperno6GeldingHarry WhiteBart CummingsMr & Mrs T. L. North, et al.03:21.822
1978Arwon5GeldingHarry WhiteGeorge HanlonDoon Bros Syndicate et al.03:24.322
1977Gold and Black5GeldingJohn DugganBart CummingsMr & Mrs J. Harris, et al.03:18.424
1976Van der Hum5GeldingRobert J. SkeltonLen H. RobinsonL. H. & R. A. Robinson, et al.03:34.123
1975Think Big5GeldingHarry WhiteBart CummingsDato Tan Chin Nam et al.03:29.620
1974Think Big4GeldingHarry WhiteBart CummingsDato Tan Chin Nam et al.03:23.122
1973Gala Supreme4GeldingFrank ReysRay HutchinsJ. P. Curtain03:19.524
1972Piping Lane6GeldingJohn LettsGeorge HanlonR. W. Trinder03:19.322
1971Silver Knight4StallionR. Bruce MarshEric TempertonSir W. Norwood03:19.521
1970Baghdad Note5GeldingMidge DidhamRobert HeasleyE. C. S. Falconer03:19.723
1969Rain Lover5StallionJim JohnsonMick L. RobinsClifford A Reid03:21.523
1968Rain Lover4StallionJim JohnsonMick L. RobinsClifford A. Reid03:19.126
1967Red Handed5GeldingRoy HigginsBart CummingsF. W. Clarke, et al.03:20.422
1966Galilee4GeldingJohn MillerBart CummingsMr & Mrs M. L. Bailey03:21.922
1965Light Fingers4MareRoy HigginsBart CummingsW. J. Broderick03:21.126
1964Polo Prince6GeldingRon TaylorJohn P. CarterMr & Mrs L. W. Davis03:19.626
1963Gatum Gatum5GeldingJim JohnsonH. Graeme HeagneyM. P. Reid03:21.126
1962Even Stevens5StallionLes ColesArch McGregorJames Wattie03:21.426
1961Lord Fury4StallionRay SelkrigFrank B. LewisMr & Mrs N. S. Cohen03:19.525
1960Hi Jinx5MareWilliam A. SmithTrevor H. KnowlesT. H. Knowles & K. R. Sly03:23.732
1959Macdougal6GeldingPat GlennonRichard W. RodenR. N. & N. H. B. Brown03:23.028
1958Baystone6GeldingMel SchumacherJack GreenR. A. & N. Burns03:21.229
1957Straight Draw5GeldingNoel L. McGrowdieJ. M. MitchellEzra Norton03:24.519
1956Evening Peal4MareGeorge PodmoreE. D. LawsonMr & Mrs R. White03:19.522
1955Toparoa7GeldingNeville SellwoodT J SmithN. H. McDonald03:28.324
1954Rising Fast5GeldingJack PurtellIvan TuckerL. R. Spring03:23.025
1953Wodalla4StallionJack PurtellRobert SinclairE. A. "Ted" Underwood03:23.721
1952Dalray4StallionBill WilliamsonC. C. McCarthyC. Neville03:23.730
1951Delta5StallionNeville SellwoodMaurice McCartenAdolph Basser & John Emanuel Levy03:24.228
1950Comic Court5StallionPat GlennonJ. M. CummingsR. A., J. D. & A. J. Lee03:19.526
1949Foxzami4StallionWilliam FellowsD. LewisL. G. Robinson03:28.531
1948Rimfire6GeldingRay NevilleStan BoydenH. G. Raymond03:21.030
1947Hiraji4GeldingJack PurtellJ. W. McCurleyFred W. Hughes03:28.030
1946Russia6StallionDarby MunroE. HushJ. G. Leeds & E. Hush03:21.235
1945Rainbird4MareBilly CookS. EvansClifford A. Reid03:24.226
1944Sirius4StallionDarby MunroE. FisherR.Turnbull03:24.523
1943Dark Felt6StallionVic HartneyRay WebsterJ. A. Cain03:23.324
1942Colonus4StallionHarry McCloudF. ManningL. O. Menck03:33.224
1941Skipton3ColtBilly CookJ. FryerJ. J. Kitson03:23.723
1940Old Rowley7GeldingAndy KnoxJ. A. ScullyJ. A. Scully03:26.020
1939Rivette6MareTeddy PrestonHarry BamberHarry Bamber03:27.026
1938Catalogue8GeldingFred SheanMr. Allan McDonaldMrs. A. Jamieson03:26.222
1937The Trump5GeldingAshley ReedS. W. ReidE. Eccles03:21.528
1936Wotan4StallionOssie PhillipsJ. FryerT. A., W. & R. Smith03:21.220
1935Marabou4StallionKeith VoitreLou RobertsonJ. Fell & T. Hogan03:23.722
1934Peter Pan5StallionDarby MunroFrank McGrath Sr.Rodney R. Dangar03:40.522
1933Hall Mark3ColtJack O'SullivanJack HoltC. B. Kellow03:27.518
1932Peter Pan3ColtBill DuncanFrank McGrath Sr.Rodney R. Dangar03:23.327
1931White Nose5StallionNeville PercivalE. J. HatwellH. P. McLachlan03:26.014
1930Phar Lap4GeldingJames E. PikeHarry R. TelfordHarry R. Telford and David J. Davis03:27.715
1929Nightmarch4StallionRoy ReedA. McAulayA. Louisson03:26.514
1928Statesman4StallionJames L. MunroWilliam KelsoWilliam Kelso03:23.317
1927Trivalve3ColtBobbie LewisJames ScobieE. E. D. Clarke03:24.026
1926Spearfelt5StallionHugh Harold CairnsV. O'NeillD. C. Grant03:22.721
1925Windbag4StallionJames L. MunroGeorge R. PriceR. Miller03:22.728
1924Backwood6StallionBunty BrownRichard BradfieldClark & Baillieu03:26.518
1923Bitalli5GeldingTitch WilsonJames ScobieA. T. Craig03:24.226
1922King Ingoda4StallionTitch WilsonJames ScobieC.L. Dubois/R.W. Bennett03:28.332
1921Sister Olive3FillyTed O'SullivanJ. WilliamsF. W. Norman03:27.725
1920Poitrel6StallionKen BrackenH. J. RobinsonW. & F. A. Moses03:25.723
1919Artilleryman3ColtBobbie LewisP. T. HeywoodS. Hordern/A.D. Murphy03:24.520
1918Night Watch5GeldingBill DuncanRichard BradfieldC. L. Macdonald03:25.727
1917Westcourt5StallionWilliam H. McLachlanJoe BurtonD. U. Seaton03:26.720
1916Sasanof3GeldingFred FoleyM. HobbsW.G. Stead/E.S. Luttrell03:27.728
1915Patrobas3ColtBobbie LewisC. WheelerMrs E. A. Widdis03:28.324
1914Kingsburgh4StallionGeorge MeddickIsaac FoulshamL. K. S. Mackinnon03:26.028
1913Posinatus5GeldingAlbert ShanahanJ. ChambersJ. Chambers03:31.020
1912Piastre4StallionAlbert ShanahanR. O'ConnorW. Brown03:27.523
1911The Parisian6GeldingRonald CameronC. WheelerJ. F. Kirby03:27.733
1910Comedy King4StallionWilliam H. McLachlanJames LynchSol Green03:27.730
1909Prince Foote3ColtWilliam H. McLachlanFrank McGrath Sr.John Brown03:27.526
1908Lord Nolan3ColtJ. R. FlynnE. A. MayoJ. Mayo03:28.722
1907Apologue5StallionBill EvansIsaac EarnshawR. L. Cleland03:27.519
1906Poseidon3ColtTom ClaytonIsaac EarnshawSir Hugh Denison03:31.221
1905Blue Spec6StallionFrank BullockWalter HickenbothamP. A. Connolly03:27.527
1904Acrasia7MareTom ClaytonA. E. WillsH. Oxenham03:28.334
1903Lord Cardigan3ColtNorman GodbyA. E. CornwellJ. Mayo03:29.224
1902The Victory4StallionBobbie LewisRichard BradfieldClark & Robinson03:29.022
1901Revenue5GeldingFrederick J. DunnHugh MunroC. L. Macdonald03:30.519
1900Clean Sweep3ColtAndrew RichardsonJames ScobieFrank Cumming ("Mr. F. T. Forrest")03:29.029
1899Merriwee3ColtVivian TurnerJames Wilson Jr.Herbert Power03:36.528
1898The Grafter5GeldingJohn GoughWilliam "Black Bill" ForresterWilliam "Black Bill" Forrester03:29.728
1897Gaulus6StallionStephen CallinanWilliam "Black Bill" ForresterWilliam "Black Bill" Forrester03:31.029
1896Newhaven3ColtHarry GardinerWalter HickenbothamW. T. Jones & S. Cooper03:28.525
1895Auraria3FillyJ. StevensonJ. H. HillD. James03:29.036
1894Patron4StallionHenry G. DawesRichard BradfieldF. W. Purches03:31.028
1893Tarcoola7StallionHerbert CrippsJoseph CrippsJ. D. Lewis03:30.530
1892Glenloth5StallionG. RobsonM. CarmodyM. Carmody03:36.235
1891Malvolio4StallionG. RedfearnJ. RedfearnJ. Redfearn03:29.234
1890Carbine5StallionRobert RamageWalter HickenbothamDonald Smith Wallace03:28.339
1889Bravo6StallionJack AnwinT. WilsonW. T. Jones03:32.520
1888Mentor4StallionMick O'BrienWalter HickenbothamDonald Smith Wallace03:30.728
1887Dunlop5StallionTom SandersJohn NicholsonRichard Donovan03:28.518
1886Arsenal4StallionW. EnglishH. RaynerW. Gannon03:31.028
1885Sheet Anchor7StallionMick O'BrienT. WilsonMartin Loughlin03:29.535
1884Malua5StallionAlick RobertsonIsaac FoulshamJ. O. Inglis03:31.824
1883Martini-Henry3ColtJ. WilliamsonMichael FennellyHon. James White03:30.529
1882The Assyrian5StallionC. HutchinsJ. E. SavillJ. E. Savill03:40.025
1881Zulu4StallionJim GoughT. LamondC. McDonnell03:32.533
1880Grand Flaneur3ColtThomas HalesT. BrownWilliam A. Long03:34.722
1879Darriwell5StallionS. CracknellW. E. DakinW. A Guesdon03:30.727
1878Calamia5StallionT. BrownEtienne de MestreEtienne de Mestre03:35.730
1877Chester3ColtP. PigottEtienne de MestreHon. James White03:33.533
1876Briseis3FillyPeter St. AlbansJames WilsonJames Wilson03:36.233
1875Wollomai6StallionR. BattyS. MoonJ. Cleeland03:38.020
1874Haricot4GeldingP. PigottS. HardingAndrew Chirnside03:37.518
1873Don Juan4StallionW. WilsonJames WilsonW. Johnstone03:36.024
1872The Quack6StallionW. EndersonJohn TaitJohn Tait03:39.022
1871The Pearl5StallionJ. CavanaghJohn TaitJohn Tait03:39.023
1870Nimblefoot7GeldingJohn DayWilliam LangWalter Craig03:37.028
1869Warrior6GeldingJ. MorrisonR. SeviorA. Saqui03:40.026
1868Glencoe5StallionC. StanleyJohn TaitJohn Tait03:42.025
1867Tim Whiffler4StallionJohn DriscollEtienne de MestreEtienne de Mestre03:39.027
1866The Barb3ColtW. DavisJohn TaitJohn Tait03:43.028
1865Toryboy8GeldingE. CavanaghP. MileyB. Marshall03:44.023
1864Lantern3ColtS. DavisS. MahonH. Fisher03:52.019
1863Banker3ColtH. ChifneySam WaldockJoseph Harper03:44.07
1862Archer6StallionJohn CuttsEtienne de MestreEtienne de Mestre03:47.020
1861Archer5StallionJohn CuttsEtienne de MestreEtienne de Mestre03:52.017

Melbourne Cup Horses 2024

Melbourne Cup Horses

Fear not, our finger is certainly on the pulse in the lead-up to that first Tuesday in November 2024.

Head-down-bum-up approach, we deep dive each week into the staying races that are happening all over the world (not just in our own backyard)

You can read all our in-depth weekly previews below to give you some insight into the best horses that will be in the running for the Melbourne Cup 2024.

Locally?

There is a raft of local horse race meetings around the country that happens on the day, culminating in the big race from Flemington usually around 3 pm Eastern Standard Time.

Plus there are the usual family BBQs going on playing our famous song, so long as the weather does its part it’s usually a great day and a great occasion.

It also happens to be a public holiday in the state of Victoria.

Lucky Victorians.

The Melbourne Cup has generated an entire industry all on its own, and it’s not necessarily all about horse racing.

There are all those punting websites and journalists who write about horseracing.

Those involved with TV and media, there are all the people involved with stables and training facilities leading up to the 4-day carnival, and let’s not forget the girls.

There are all the businesses around the fashion industry including the wide variety of fascinators from milliners and of course all the dresses and outfits that the ladies will wear on cup day.

Then there is the hospitality industry; all the restaurants and pubs will be doing a roaring trade over that period with all visitors from out of town coming down to Melbourne to witness Cup day as well as the other 3 days of the Carnival.

And of course, people will be pumping our famous cup song.

Melbourne Cup Field

As the races get closer, we tend to keep an eye on the major races to assess how each horse is travelling and share the results with you fine ladies and gentlemen to hopefully give you a better shot of getting a good return.

As it stands, both Incentivise and Spanish Mission are both leading the pack by a long shot as favourites to take the win and the prize money; The odds for each are currently at 5.50, coming in third is Delphi at 10.00 followed by Twilight Payment.

Currently, there is a vast list of horses competing to be part of the Melbourne Cup 2021, but the day is still a few weeks away and is always held on the first Tuesday of November; needless to say, there is still plenty of time for this to change.

You can find a list below of all the horses currently eligible to race.

HORSESODDS
Vauban6.00
Soulcombe7.00
Just Fine9.00
Breakup9.00
Francesco Guardi13.00
Without A Fight13.00
Desert Hero13.00
West Wind Blows13.00
Gold Trip15.00
Goldman15.00
Lunar Flare17.00
Tower Of London17.00
Absurde21.00
Valiant King26.00
Lastotchka26.00
Hoo Ya Mal34.00
Duais34.00
Emissary34.00
Cleveland34.00
Carini34.00
First Immortal34.00
Harbour Wind34.00
Kovalica41.00
Manzoice51.00
Montefilia51.00
Vow and Declare51.00
Smokin Romans51.00
Interpretation51.00
Knights Order51.00
Spanish Mission51.00
Floating Artist51.00
Alaskan God51.00
Athabascan51.00
Lionel51.00
Right You Are51.00
Broome51.00
Duke De Sessa51.00
Major Beel51.00
Protagonist51.00
Kalapour51.00
Ashrun51.00
Greenland51.00
Mr Waterville51.00
Okita Soushi51.00
Uncle Bryn51.00
Berkeley Square101
Serpentine101
Alegron101
Benaud101
Daqiansweet Junior101
High Emocean101
Aberfeldie Boy101
Hinged101
El Patroness101
Sheraz101
Sir Lucan101
Timour101
True Marvel101
King Frankel101
Fame101
Mostly Cloudy101
Promises Kept101
Raging Bull101
United Nations101
Zeyrek101
Dillian101
Fancy Man101
Amade101
El Bodegon101
Virtuous Circle101
Convener101
Deny Knowledge101
Hasta La War101
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Kruzey.com.au has assembled a series of pages to help those of you that are interested in the 2024 Melbourne Cup. Refer to the following links.

General Information

Melbourne Cup

Getting to the track

If you are a local Melburnian, then you can probably skip over this section because you’ll know it intimately. But for those of you who live out of town and are wanting to get to the Flemington course, you might be asking the question how do we do that?

Well, it depends where you live, what direction you’re coming from, and what mode of transport you’ll be using.

Let’s start with using your own vehicle. As to be expected, parking will be an issue. There are car park spots all along Fisher Parade but you’ll need to get in early. You can even park in one of the outer suburbs that is within walking distance like Footscray or Ascot Vale. However, the majority of the side streets are for resident parking only so you’ll get frowned upon if you try it on. Bringing your vehicle is a bit of a pain especially if you want to enjoy the day out, so I would be inclined to leave it at home in the garage and use public transport instead.

Bus Services

There are many bus services traversing the western side of the CBD of Melbourne. A good Central hub to catch a bus up to the racecourse is via Footscray. For instance, the 472 service which leaves Footscray every 20 minutes and travels up through Droop St, Farnsworth Ave, and Fisher Parade will drop you right off outside the racecourse itself. This bus goes through Moonee Ponds and is very handy to know for WS Cox Plate day.

Train Service

You can either catch a dedicated service from Southern Cross to Flemington, or catch a train out to Footscray (most western destination trains stop at Footscray anyway), then walk across into the Footscray city centre right opposite the Markets, and catch the aforementioned 472 bus to Flemington.

We mention these two services, mainly because of ticketing issues. If you catch the train directly out from Southern Cross, you’ll need to have your ticket to get into the racecourse on you. When you get into Flemington railway station there is no ticketing booth, you’ll get access directly to the racecourse and you’ll need to have your ticket on you to be scanned in.

If you come to the racecourse via the main gate from the Fisher Parade side, no problem you can buy a ticket from the ticketing booth which is located just behind the main gate entrance. Once you have your ticket, you can then get in.

Tickets

Melbourne Cup Fashion

The best way to get admission to the racecourse is to purchase your tickets in advance via the Melbourne Cup web page and Ticketek. Not only is this convenient but you may also get a discount. No guarantees though. Your tickets can be physically sent to you in the post, or perhaps the easiest way is to have your tickets sent to you electronically so they sit on your phone, so that when you go through the main gate you just have your e-ticket on your phone being scanned to get onto the course. A tip: make sure to turn up the brightness of your phone so the gate scanner can read your ticket bar code.

If it turns out you’re not that well-organised, you can still buy a physical ticket from the ticket booth located behind the main gate entrance on the Fisher Parade side of the racecourse entrance.

Prices will vary across the four days. The two most expensive days are Derby Day and Cup Day, with Oaks Day and Stakes Day being lesser in price. If you have a VRC membership, the prices will be cheaper still if you buy a Season Pass that takes in other race days at Flemington prior to the Cup Carnival, such as Turnbull Stakes Day and Makybe Diva Stakes Day. You’ll also be able to use your season pass in the Autumn as well, for Lightning Stakes Day, Australian Guineas Day, Super Saturday (Newmarket Hcp and Australian Cup), etc.

The Track Configuration

The oval track at Flemington is a touch over 2300m. The Melbourne Cup itself starts halfway up the 1200m shoot which is called the Straight Six (as in six furlongs). Horses will run approximately 900m down the home straight before doing a full lap to reach the winning post in approximately 3 minutes 25 seconds.

The Flemington course has very good drainage and very rarely does it get super wet. This has improved remarkably in the last few years due in part to technology. The ideal rating for the course will be somewhere between a Good 4 and a Dead 5. Not so hard that it will jar up some horses that don’t like hard tracks, and not so soft that it will inconvenience those that don’t like wet tracks. Usually, the track managers get it right on the major race day of the year.

Weather

The weather for Melbourne around the late October and early November period is a bit hit-and-miss at the best of times. In last year’s 2022 Cup, the rain bucketed down for the first part of Cup Day but eventually evened out by the time the Cup was run at around 3 pm. There have been some notable years when it was extremely wet. 1976 and 2010 are two examples. If you are dressing for the occasion, then keep an eye out on the weather forecast at least two days beforehand. Use the data from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology as your guide. (bom.gov.au)

Handicappers Guide

Usually a few months out from the Cup, the VRC Handicapper will assign a weight to all nominations at the first round. This is a highly anticipated and highly contentious area for all connections.

Whether it’s the trainer, the owner, the journos, and more importantly the punters, the determination of the final makeup of the field and what eventual weight each horse will carry is of extreme importance.

It is both an art form and a science and not everyone appreciates the complexity of the final allotted weights to each horse as determined by the Handicapper Greg Carpenter. Trying to marry up the form between European horses and local Australian horses can be a ticking time bomb.

There are age considerations, especially for the Northern Hemisphere 3-year-olds. There is the weight for age considerations too, particularly where horses have raced one year and have gone up in age for the next year and their weight has markedly increased as well. Penalties come into account if a horse wins a graduating race such as the Caulfield Cup. Mares normally get given a lighter weight in comparison to male horses.

In recent times, the maximum weight has tended to top out at around 58 kgs. A far cry from some of the heavyweights that used to be carried back in the earlier years of the race, especially horses given 60 kgs plus.

There has been criticism that the weight scales between the top and bottom have been compressed. So for example, in the 2019 weight allocations, all 152 nominated horses have been assigned weights between 58 kgs and 49 kgs. So that’s 9 kgs spread over 152 horses. I don’t think there is any way around that, it is what it is.

Despite all the conjecture, I believe the weight allocations are fair and sporting and are based adequately on each horse form leading into the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Good luck on the day and may you achieve financial success.

How to watch the Melbourne Cup

Melbourne Cup Betting

Switch up? in a change of pace for this year’s running of the cup.

Channel 10 has taken over the broadcast from Channel 7 which will give viewers a new feel.

They have announced their broadcast team who will consist of…

Peter Moody, Michael Felgate, Caty Price, Francesca Cumani, David Gately, Brittany Taylor (what a great lineup)

This can be viewed on free-to-air television on Channel 10 and also online.

Live Streaming Of The Cup

Live vision can certainly stream for the race that stops the nation on Sky Racing.

This can be found here through BetEasy, Sky Racing

Melbourne Cup 2024 Tickets

Searching for Melbourne Cup Tickets 2024? Easy done.

You can simply purchase tickets to the cup at Ticketek.

What Time Is The Melbourne Cup?

The gates will crash back at around 3 pm on November 5th, 2024.

Make sure you clear your schedule (it should be cleared anyway)

Here is a list of start times for each state.

Melbourne 3:00pm
Sydney 3.00pm
Brisbane 2.00pm
Adelaide 2.30pm
Perth 12.00pm
Canberra 3.00pm
Hobart 3.00pm
Darwin 1.30pm

The race will go for around 3 1/2 minutes give or take.

Content ideas or want to write for the team? Email us

4 Day Carnival

Melbourne Cup week is comprised of 4 days of racing.

As a carnival, the Melbourne Cup is similar in scope to Royal Ascot which also runs a 4-day program during the English summer, and there is also the Ebor carnival at York during late August.

Melbourne Cup History

In 2024, the running of the Melbourne Cup will be the 162nd version of the race, since its origins back in 1861.

Throughout that time in history, the race has been through two world wars, the Great Depression, the ascent of several kings and queens, and the making of several equine legends of the turf. Read more.

Internationals

International racehorses have been a mainstay for nearly 25 years, but Vintage Crop’s victory in 1993 wasn’t the first participation of an international horse in the great race.

There were others in the ’80s that became the trailblazers to today’s ex-European ‘let’s migrate to Australia’ industry.

Like Authaal for instance, the son of ill-fated stallion Shergar, and a handful of other ex-Europeans.

These days the Melbourne Cup field is dominated by English and Irish stayers with very little room left for Australian and New Zealand stayers, which is a complete turnaround from thirty or forty years ago.

The race has become a truly global event now, with horses victorious in recent years coming from countries such as Japan, France, Germany, England and Ireland, not forgetting New Zealand too.

The 2024 event is looking very likely to contain a stacked field of international visitors, judging by the look of the first round of nominations.

As the field thins towards the end of October, it is expected that the remaining horses will be predominantly European.

Keep an eye out on the Melbourne Cup form, through our Cup watch reports, and also on this website.

General

What you need to know
History
Replays (include video links)
Interesting Trivia
Media (TV, Web radio, press)
Fashion
FAQ (things not identified above)

Horse Racing

Melbourne Cup Watch Reports
The Internationals
Lead In Form Guide
Horses to Follow
Racing Personalities
Jockey Profiles
HR FAQ (things not identified above)

Horse Racing Tips

Keep up-to-date with all the best Horse Racing tips today.

Racing Statistics

Want to know the odds of your horse winning? take a look at the horse racing statistics.

Betting On The Melbourne Cup

No need to worry; there are still plenty of ways to place a bet on the Melbourne Cup, and thanks to Ladbrokes, there is now a way to bet with mates that allows you to bet on the cup at home like the betting sweep, which can easily be found in their app under the function ‘Mates Mode‘. Additionally Neds also has ‘Group Betting‘ which essentially the same thing, they are both under the same sports betting umbrella so they essentially have the same functionality but are a great way to have little bit of fun with your friends.

Additionally, several bookies have fantastic promotions, bonus bets and cashback options for the spring racing carnival available throughout the next few weeks that are definitely worth taking advantage of listed below.

Ladbrokes

Neds

Frequently Searched Questions

What time is the 2024 Melbourne Cup? 

The 2024 Melbourne Cup will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, at 3:00 PM.

How many horses are in the Melbourne Cup? 

Hundreds of horses compete for a spot in the Melbourne Cup field every year. The race consists of 24 horses, selected using a ballot system and handicapping after the Lexus Stakes on Derby Day.

Who will win the 2024 Melbourne Cup? 

It’s tough to predict an outcome before the field is set, but bookmark this page and check back when it is. In the meantime, enjoy our free tips and bets for the race!

How do I bet on the Melbourne Cup?

By far, the simplest and easiest way to bet on the Melbourne Cup is with an online bookmaker. We recommend registering with Neds, bet365, Unibet or Ladbrokes. The process is safe, easy and fast. After you have completed registration, locate the appropriate market and click on your desired horse’s odds.

When is the Melbourne Cup?

The Melbourne Cup for 2024 will take place on Tuesday, November 5, at Flemington Racecourse. The race is set to start at 3:00 PM sharp.

Where is the Melbourne Cup 2024?

On Tuesday, November 5, the Melbourne Cup will be held at Flemington Racecourse.

How do I live stream the 2024 Melbourne Cup?

Do you want to know how you can watch the 2024 Melbourne Cup if you’ve backed our Best Bet?

The Melbourne Cup is set to take place on November 5, 2024, so join one of the compatible online bookies below to watch it for free!