Any race has a large number of variables that can affect the outcome. The beauty of the game is that individuals can view the same set of statistics and come up with a different conclusion.
Here are just some, not all, of the factors that might be considered before making a selection for the Melbourne Cup.
Melbourne Cup 🏆: View the Field and Odds for the Melbourne Cup
Melbourne Cup Day Tips 💰: View our 2026 Melbourne Cup day tips, best bets and trifecta tips.
A useful starting point
It is best not to overcomplicate it. What you are looking for, ideally, in the first instance, is a horse that can stay well and who will carry a light weight. In the right hands, that would be a formidable combination, so that’s as good a place to start as any.
Proven over 3200m or further
These horses have all won over the Melbourne Cup distance or longer:
- Trustyourinstinct
- Knight’s Choice
- Vauban
- Goodie Two Shoes
- Onesmoothoperator
- Soul Of Spain
- Kizlyar
Knight’s Choice is a Melbourne Cup winner, while Goodie Two Shoes finished second in the race last year.
Who is best in at the weights?
The Joseph O’Brien-trained Kizlyar, who is unwanted in the betting at $41, has won up to 4013m. He is the lightest-weighted runner in this group, carrying 53.5kg.
Group 1 winners in the last two years
- Knight’s Choice — 2024 Melbourne Cup.
- Strictly Business — VRC Oaks.
Winners at Flemington
- Knight’s Choice
- Juja Kimbo
- Future History
- Strictly Business
- Mr Monaco
- Zakouma
- Shockletz
Regular jockeys on board
To qualify, the jockey must have ridden the horse in at least three of its last four starts, or in its last two starts.
| Horse | Jockey |
|---|---|
| Enfjaar | Ray Dawson |
| Juja Kimbo | Sam Clipperton |
| So You Are | Rachel King |
| Mr Monaco | Jabez Johnston |
| Zakouma | Willie Pike |
| Shockletz | Harry Coffey |
A recent warm-up run
These horses have had a run, or runs, in the five weeks leading into the Cup, dating back to September 29:
- Knight’s Choice
- Middle Earth
- Vauban
- Enfjaar
- Royal Supremacy
- Wine Dark Sea
- Asterix
- Juja Kimbo
- Onesmoothoperator
- Soul Of Spain
- Zahrann
- So You Are
- Future History
- Kizlyar
- Point Of Law
- Strictly Business
- Zakouma
- Shockletz
Racing first-up
Hopewell Rock will be racing first-up.
Seeing Flemington for the first time
- Sons And Lovers
- Trustyourinstinct
- Enfjaar
- Wine Dark Sea
- Hopewell Rock
- Soul Of Spain
- James J Braddock
- Point Of Law
Racing in Australia for the first time
- Sons And Lovers
- Trustyourinstinct
- Hopewell Rock
- James J Braddock
Last-start winners
- Juja Kimbo
- So You Are
- Point Of Law
A look at the age groups
| Age group | Horses |
|---|---|
| 9-year-olds | Vauban, Onesmoothoperator, Future History. |
| 8-year-olds | Asterix, Goodie Two Shoes. |
| 7-year-olds | Trustyourinstinct, Knight’s Choice, Middle Earth, Enfjaar. |
| 6-year-olds | Sons And Lovers, Royal Supremacy, Juja Kimbo, Soul Of Spain, Mr Monaco, Zakouma. |
| 5-year-olds | Wine Dark Sea, Hopewell Rock, Zahrann, So You Are, Kizlyar, Shockletz. |
| 4-year-olds | James J Braddock, Point Of Law, Strictly Business. |
Recent winning ages
A five-year-old won the Cup in 2024 and 2025. A seven-year-old won in 2023, while six-year-olds were triumphant in both 2021 and 2022.
Lastly, a look at the betting
It is always worth a glance to familiarise yourself with what the market is doing. If the betting backs up your choice, all is well and good. If it doesn’t, do not let it put you off.
There is nothing quite as upsetting as losing your money because you followed someone else’s lead, when you had it right in the first place.
FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites
We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...
Melbourne Cup results, finishing positions and replay – (Point Of Law) 2026
View the results, finishing positions and replay for the 2026 Melbourne Cup. The Melbourne Cup was raced at Flemington racecourse...
Melbourne Cup 2026 Horses, Tips, Field, Winners, Odds & Ultimate Betting Preview
The 2026 Melbourne Cup final declarations are in, with a full complement of 24 seasoned stayers confirmed to contest the...
Melbourne Cup day Horse Racing Tips, Trifectas and Best Bets – Flemington races Tuesday 3/11/2026
Melbourne Cup Week at Flemington continues this Tuesday, headlined by the race that stops a nation, the Melbourne Cup (3200m)....
The Big Dance day Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets – Randwick races Tuesday 3/11/2026
Ten races will be run and won at Randwick on Tuesday, headlined by The Big Dance (1600m). The weather is...
Melbourne Cup Field, Barriers & Odds – 2026
View the Final Field and Barriers for the 2026 Melbourne Cup. The Melbourne Cup will be run on Tuesday, 3...
Horse Racing Big Bets – Tuesday’s Races (inc Melbourne Cup) 3/11/2026
We take a look at the big bets the online bookmakers have taken on Tuesday’s horse racing around the country...
New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$
Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...
Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$
Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...
Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names
Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...
Melbourne Cup
The 2027 Melbourne Cup is set for Tuesday 2 November at Flemington Racecourse, with the race expected to jump at...
Racing Offers
Featured News
Betting News
