Sometimes it’s best to leave it to the experts. When it comes to tipping a winner of Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup, that might just be the case.
From former winners – both jockeys and trainers – to top journalists and professional tipsters, we’ve compiled a list of expert tips for the “race that stops the nation”.
There’s plenty of love for the favourite Vauban, especially after drawing a favourable barrier three for the 3200m trip around Flemington. Without A Fight and Soulcombe are also in the mix according to the experts.
But last year, just three of 40 experts tipped the winner Gold Trip, with 17 of the 40 backing the favourite Deauville Legend. So anything can happen – and please, gamble responsibly.
Here’s what 25 experts tipped for the big race. This story will be updated, so check back for more expert tips as they come through.
And if you need the basics on how to bet, here’s our betting guide for dummies.
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The best Melbourne Cup lead-up runs | 05:10
JIMMY CASSIDY (Two-time winner)
1. VAUBAN
2. Without A Fight
3. Soulcombe
4. Gold Trip
TWO-TIME WINNER’S GUIDE: Legend Jim Cassidy runs eyes over every horse and gives tips
MICHELLE PAYNE (2015 winner on Prince of Penzance)
1. WITHOUT A FIGHT
2. Vauban
3. More Felons
4. Gold Trip
GLEN BOSS (Three-time winner with Makybe Diva)
1. VAUBAN
2. Without A Fight
3. Soulcombe
4. Absurde
PETER MOODY (Legendary trainer including of Black Caviar)
1. VAUBAN
2. Gold Trip
3. Soulcombe
4. Future History
TREVOR MARSHALLSEA (Foxsports.com.au)
1. VAUBAN
2. Alenquer
3. Gold Trip
4. Without A Fight
MELBOURNE CUP FORM GUIDE: Trevor Marshallsea’s verdict on every runner and predicted first four
Vauban draws barrier 3 for Melbourne Cup | 00:45
DANIEL SANKEY (News Corp)
1. WITHOUT A FIGHT
2. Vauban
3. Gold Trip
4. Vow and Declare
MATT WILLIAMS (News Corp)
1. VAUBAN
2. Future History
3. Soulcombe
4. Gold Trip
STEPHEN BRASSEL (News Corp)
1. SOULCOMBE
2. Vauban
3. Gold Trip
4. Without A Fight
GILBERT GARDINER (News Corp)
1. VAUBAN
2. More Felons
3. Valiant King
4. Ashrun
LEAD-UP RUNS: The pre-Cup runs you need to see, including Vauban’s jaw-dropping Royal Ascot win
CUP LATE MAIL: Latest on scratchings, changes ahead of the race
BARRIER DRAW: Full results and reaction including who got lucky
LATEST ODDS: Caulfield Cup winner firms into second favourite
Oliver prepares for emotional farewell | 01:04
RAY THOMAS (News Corp)
1. SOULCOMBE
2. Vauban
3. Without A Fight
4. Gold Trip
BRAD WATERS (News Corp)
1. WITHOUT A FIGHT
2. Vauban
3. Gold Trip
4. Breakup
CHRIS VERNUCCIO (News Corp)
1. VAUBAN
2. Without A Fight
3. Soulcombe
4. Gold Trip
WEATHER FORECAST: Thunderstorm threat and heatwave hang over Flemington
MARKET MOVES: Plunge on $201 outsider after barrier draw
BIGGEST BETS: Punter’s nervous Melbourne Cup wait with nearly $1m on the line
SCOTT GULLAN (News Corp)
1. VAUBAN
2. Soulcombe
3. Interpretation
BEN DORRIES (News Corp)
1. VAUBAN
2. Soulcombe
3. Alenquer
4. Gold Trip
MITCH COHEN (News Corp)
1. GOLD TRIP
2. Without A Fight
3. Vauban
4. Absurde
Gold Trip storms home in Turnbull stakes | 00:47
TRENTON AKERS (News Corp)
1. VAUBAN
2. More Felons
3. Gold Trip
4. Lastotchka
JETT HATTON (News Corp)
1. GOLD TRIP
2. Vauban
3. Soulcombe
4. Without A Fight
TALKING POINTS: Melb Cup favourite ‘probably will win well’; debate over jockey call
ULTIMATE GUIDE: How much winner gets and the two horses punters are backing
BETTING GUIDE FOR DUMMIES: Pick the fastest one … or three
OFFICE SWEEP: Free 2023 Melbourne Cup online sweep generator
ADAM SHERRY (News Corp)
1. VAUBAN
2. Without A Fight
3. Soulcombe
4. Gold Trip
SHAYNE O’CASS (News Corp)
1. CLEVELAND
2. Vauban
3. Lastotchka
4. Future History
ALEX DONNELLY (News Corp)
1. VAUBAN
2. Without A Fight
3. Absurde
4. More Felons
ADAM DOBBIN (News Corp)
1. VAUBAN
2. Breakup
3. Gold Trip
4. Absurde
CLINTON PAYNE (News Corp)
1. VAUBAN
2. Without A Fight
3. Gold Trip
4. Future History
LUKE SHEEHAN (News Corp)
1. VAUBAN
2. Without A Fight
3. Future History
4. Vow And Declare
JAMES LAMB (Punters.com.au)
1. BREAKUP
2. Vauban
3. Gold trip
4. Without A Fight
KATELYN MALLYON (Ex G1-winning jockey, via Punters.com.au)
1. VAUBAN
2. Gold Trip
3. Soulcombe
4. Ashrun
