Melbourne Cup Tips - Runner-by-Runner Guide for the Race The Stops A Nation
- Melbourne Cup is Australia's most popular horse race
- Race includes 24 horses with notable past contenders named
- Predictions: 1st Land Legend, 2nd Buckaroo, 3rd Kovalica, 4th Zardozi
It is Australia’s most popular horse race and the country will stop what they are doing on Tuesday afternoon to tune in to the Melbourne Cup.
Run over 3200m at Flemington under handicap conditions, the Group 1 race was first run in 1861 and has been won by some champion staying horses including Phar Lap (1930), Rising Fast (1954) and Might and Power (1997).
There are 24 horses to assess this year and we have gone through every single one below.
1.Vauban (11)
Arguably going better than he was last year having won the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup two back and was excellent running second to Kyprios in the Irish St Leger.
There is no doubting his ability as a stayer, it is a matter of trust, and whether you can forgive him for his failure in last year’s Melbourne Cup.
The issue is that we are being asked to take the same price as last year.
2.Buckaroo (21)
The former import has made his home in Australia and he has simply gone to another level this campaign.
Finished a narrow second behind Via Sistina in the Turnbull Stakes here at Flemington and that mare of course brained them in the Cox Plate.
I am concerned he won’t run out 3200m but his class, and fitness will take him a long way.
3.Circle Of Fire (24)
Closed out his autumn campaign by taking out the Sydney Cup in impressive fashion, scoring by two lengths on the line.
We know he runs the distance, which can not be said for a lot of the runners in this field.
4.Warp Speed (3)
Japanese raider that was friendless in betting in his Australian debut in the Caulfield Cup, and he ran accordingly.
It’s hard to back him off that run but he has drawn to get a nice run in transit.
5.Kovalica (17)
Chris Waller trained gelding who hasn’t won a race in a long time but consistently races at the top level.
He is a Queensland Derby winner over 2400m but this is the first time he steps out over 3200m.
I’m not sure he has a winning chance but he has the class to run well.
6.Sharp ‘N’ Smart (15)
Three time Group 1 winner including the New Zealand Derby over 2400m and he comes into this race fifth up so fitness shouldn’t be a concern.
Finished third in the Moonee Valley Golf Cup behind Okita Soushi but meets that horse better at the weights in this event.
7.Just Fine (13)
Had been ticking away nicely this campaign when he won the Bart Cummings over 2500m here at Flemington at a big price.
He’s more than capable on his day which is evident by his Group 1 Metropolitan win last year and he will be rock hard fit at this stage of his prep.
8.Land Legend (18)
Burst onto the Australian racing scene by winning the St Leger over 2600m at Randwick in his first run in the country.
Won the Group 1 Metropolitan two back and managed to place in the Caulfield two weeks ago.
Will carry the same weight and he is a really tough horse that will be in it for a long way.
9.Absurde (7)
Gets a very similar setup to when he ran in this race last year when finishing seventh.
Hasn’t been to the races since winning a listed race at Chester in August but that is just how they train their stayers on the other side of the world!
Drawn well and it a winning chance with luck.
10.Athabascan (2)
Closed out his autumn campaign when finishing second to Circle Of Fire in the Sydney Cup.
Has been ticking over nicely this prep as he gets out to a more suitable distance and comes into this race in winning form by taking out the St Leger over 2600m at Randwick.
Drawn well and will run the distance.
11.Knight’s Choice (6)
Failed to win in his winter campaign in Brisbane but was placed on three occasions.
Was well beaten in three Group 1 races before the stable stepped him back in class to the Bendigo Cup last start where he finished fifth.
Drawn well but I can not see him being and threat.
12.Okita Soushi (10)
Was unplaced in both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups this time last year but comes into the event in better form this year.
Finished second in the Herbert Power two back and then won the Moonee Valley Cup over 2500m last time out.
13.Onesmoothoperator
Some internationals improve dramatically when they arrive in Australia and that may be the story for this seven-year-old gelding.
The Geelong Cup was his first black type win in his 37 start career and he’ll appreciate the drop back to 51kg.
14.Zardozi (4)
The 2023 VRC Oaks winner has been racing well without winning throughout this campaign as James Cummings tries to emulate his grandfather Bart and win the Melbourne Cup.
He took a leaf out of Bart’s book by running the mare over a short distance just days before the Cup and she ran very well to finish just 2.5 lengths behind Atishu in the Empire Rose.
Drawn perfectly and just 52kg will help her chances.
15.Sea King (1)
Just like Onesmoothoperator he produced the best win of his career when making his Australian racing debut in the Bendigo Cup, scoring by almost four lengths over 2400m.
I’m not sure that is the right formline to be winning a Melbourne Cup but he drops in weight and is racing well.
16.Valiant King (22)
Just one win from 11 race starts and although he finished well back in the Caulfield Cup, he did find the line well.
I’m confident he’ll run a strong 3200m and carries just 50.5kg.
17.Fancy Man (19)
Wasn’t beaten far in his first two starts this campaign in the Foundation Cup and Herbert Power.
That wasn’t the case when stepping up in class to the Caulfield Cup and he’ll have to improve significantly to have any chance.
18.Interpretation (14)
We know he runs the distance after a strong sixth in last year’s Melbourne Cup and he is ticking along nicely for this year’s edition.
He already had a spot in the field so the Geelong Cup was a nice barrier trial for him and he drops 4kg on that second.
19.Manzoice (8)
Another proven staying horse that gets into the race with a light weight.
This son of Almanzor is a Group 1 Victoria Derby winner from two years ago at Flemington and was gelded before this campaign.
I’m just not sure he is going well enough to win a Melbourne Cup.
20.Mostly Cloudy (16)
Former import that has now made his home in Australia.
Finished second is the Brisbane Cup over 3200m during the winter so you can be confident he runs out the distance.
There are more credentialed horses in the race but he is one that looks over the odds.
21.Positivity (20)
Won the Group 3 Fillies Classic over 2500m at Morphettville in impressive fashion and beat Future History in the Foundation Cup second up this prep.
Was ticking away really nicely until a disappointing effort in the Moonee Valley Cup which is why his odds are now in the triple figures.
22.Saint George (9)
Some big hype around the horse when he entered Australia and despite not winning he has produced some nice runs over good distances.
The fact that he drops to 50kg is a huge advantage and he might be one that surprises at a big price.
23.The Map (23)
Looked a genuine threat for this race during her last prep when running second in the Adelaide and then taking out the Andrew Ramsden here at Flemington.
Her three runs this campaign have been disappointing but she is another that will run the distance and has no weight!
Include in your multiples.
24.Trust In You (5)
Kiwi gelding that has snuck into the field after a week of horses failing to make it to the race.
Hasn’t been up to it in Sydney leading in but has drawn a great barrier and has not weight.
Verdict
1st: No. 8 Land Legend
2nd: No. 2 Buckaroo
3rd: No. 5 Kovalica
4th: No. 14 Zardozi
Land Legend
Win
@10/1 - 3 Units
Double Winnings & Bonus Back up to $250
Use affiliate code BLACKBOOK
Exciting new betting app now live with double winnings and Bonus back offers for horse racing punters. Use code BLACKBOOK on sign-up. 18+ only. T&Cs apply. Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Related
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
12 September 2026
- Doomben - September 12 -
- Horse Racing
- Flemington- September 12 -
- Horse Racing
- Morphettville - September 12 -
- Horse Racing
- Rosehill - September 12 -
- Horse Racing
- Makybe Diva Stakes -
- Horse Racing
- Belmont - September 12 -
- Horse Racing
17 October 2026
- The Everest -
- Horse Racing
- Caulfield Cup -
- Horse Racing
24 October 2026
- Cox Plate -
- Horse Racing
Load More
