The official Melbourne Cup draw is an important aspect of the famous race, with some barriers clearly better than others in a historical analysis of winning horses. The barrier draw is released only a few days before the race takes place, announced on Saturday, November 3 on Victoria Derby Day.
Final acceptances for the big race will be listed directly after racing events on November 3 at 5.30pm, with 24 starters listed in what is the world’s richest handicap. The draw plays a big role in the Melbourne Cup, with some barriers much more successful than others when the Cup is analysed over its entire 151 year history.
The most successful barriers are:
- Barrier 11 - 7 wins, last in 2001
- Barrier 14 - 6 wins, last in 2005
- Barrier 8 - 5 wins, last in 2008
There least successful barriers are:
- Barrier 18 - 0 wins
- Barrier 7 - 1 win, in 1924
- Barrier 15 - 1 win, in 1973
Barriers 5, 6 and 19 have all also had 5 wins since 1861, although they have not produced a winner in more than 15 years. The 2011 event was won from barrier 13. While opinions differ on the importance of the barrier drawn in the Melbourne Cup, these statistics illustrate why so many people are interested in the announcement on Victoria Derby Day, November 3.
