The Melbourne Cup — the race that stops the nation — is here again with a field of 24 local and international horses racing over 3200m for a whopping $8 million in prizemoney.
Here are the key things you need to know ahead of the 163rd running of the great race.
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Roughie ‘Amade’ wins 2023 Geelong Cup | 01:20
START TIME: WHEN IS IT ON?
As always, the first Tuesday in November — this year falling on the latest possible date of the 7th. This year’s race will start at 3pm AEDT.
So that’s 3pm for Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and Hobart. The race begins at 1.30pm if you’re in Darwin, 2pm in Brisbane and 2.30pm in Adelaide.
HOW CAN I WATCH THE MELBOURNE CUP?
Channel 10 broadcasts the Melbourne Cup Carnival including the feature race itself.
You can also live stream the race, Saturday’s barrier draw, and much more via Racing.com on Kayo, or watch via the racing channels on Foxtel.
WHO IS IN THE FIELD?
That’s still to be determined, with places to be confirmed a spot still up for grabs for whoever wins the Lexus Stakes at Derby Day at Flemington on Saturday.
Here is the current order of entry and follow here for the latest updates and changes.
As of 5pm November 1
Ballot Order – Horse – Trainer – Weight
1= WITHOUT A FIGHT (IRE) Anthony & Sam Freedman 56.5kg
1= ABSURDE (FR) Willie Mullins 53kg
1= FUTURE HISTORY (GB) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 50kg
4 GOLD TRIP (FR) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 58.5kg
5 ALENQUER (FR) Michael Moroney 56.5kg
6 BREAKUP (JPN) Tatsuya Yoshioka 55kg
7 VAUBAN (FR) Willie Mullins 55kg
8 SOULCOMBE (GB) Chris Waller 53.5kg
9 VOW AND DECLARE Danny O’Brien 53kg
10 RIGHT YOU ARE Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 53kg
11 MAGICAL LAGOON (IRE) Chris Waller 51kg
12 VIRTUOUS CIRCLE (NZ) Liam Howley 51kg
13 LASTOTCHKA (FR) Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) 51kg
14 CLEVELAND (IRE) Kris Lees 51.5kg
15 SHERAZ (FR) Chris Waller 51.5kg
16 DAQIANSWEET JUNIOR (NZ) Phillip Stokes 51.5kg
17 VALIANT KING (GB) Joseph O’Brien 50kg
18 ASHRUN (FR) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 51.5kg
19 OKITA SOUSHI (IRE) Joseph O’Brien 51.5kg
20 MILITARY MISSION (IRE) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 51kg
21 SERPENTINE (IRE) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 51kg
22 MORE FELONS (IRE) Chris Waller 50.5kg
23 TRUE MARVEL (FR) Matthew Smith 50kg
24 INTERPRETATION (IRE) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 50kg
*****
25 LADIES MAN (NZ) Allan Sharrock 50kg
26 ATHABASCAN (FR) John O’Shea 50kg
27 UNITED NATIONS (IRE) Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 50kg
WHAT PRIZEMONEY IS ON OFFER?
A total of $8 million, the same as last year. It’s broken down as follows:
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1st $4.4 million, 2nd: $1.1 million, 3rd: $550,000, 4th: $350,000, 5th: $230,000, 6th-12th: $160,000
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WHO WON IT LAST YEAR?
Top weight Gold Tripwon a thrilling 2022 Melbourne Cup with a powerful finish to claim just the second win of its racing career.
Ridden by Mark Zahra, the UK horse — trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace — finished powerfully and streaked away to win ahead of Geelong Cup winner Emissary, with High Emocean charging home to finish third ahead of race favourite Deauville Legend who was fourth.
It was an unbelievable moment for Zahra, who finished second in both the Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup. Zahra was denied a ride on 2021 Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant because of suspension.
Gold Trip will get the chance to go back-to-back this year, although Zahra has opted to instead ride Caulfield Cup winner Without a Fight in an intriguing twist.
Gold Trip storms home in Turnbull stakes | 00:47
WHO ARE THE FAVOURITES THIS YEAR?
English import Vauban ($3.50) has been a firming favourite, turning heads with an impressive gallop at Flemington earlier this week.
It has battled for favouritism with reigning champion Gold Trip ($4.50) who won last month’s Turnbull Stakes, produced excellent runs in Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate and also continues to shorten in the market.
Without a Fight is next in betting at $7 ahead of Soulcombe ($10) who also impressed in the Caulfield Cup, with Japanese import Breakup the next best hope at $15.
