Melbourne Cup 2026 Runner By Runner Guide – Form & Chances

The Joseph O'Brien-trained galloper has been consistent over the staying trips in Europe, winning over the 3000m in Saudi Arabia earlier this year before claiming the Prix Maurice de Nieuil (2800m) in France. He was runner-up in the Kilternan Stakes (2414m) last time and looks capable of giving a good account of himself, although the big weight is a slight concern.

The Irish raider has won twice this year, including the Curragh Cup (2816m), before finishing fourth behind Scandinavia in the Irish St Leger (2816m). James McDonald takes the ride and will look to have the Joseph O'Brien-trained galloper settling midfield with cover before producing his challenge late.

The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper was third in last year's Melbourne Cup and has been building towards another tilt at the 3200m, most recently finishing eighth in the Cox Plate (2040m). His recent form doesn't leap off the page, but the rise in trip suits and Mark Zahra reunites with the seven-year-old, who can be an improver.

Vauban lines up for his fourth Melbourne Cup after finishing sixth last year, with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained veteran having just one run since May. He was only fair when ninth in the Geelong Cup (2400m), but will take improvement out of that and any give in the track would enhance his chances.

The 2024 Melbourne Cup winner returns for another crack at the race after showing some encouraging signs when third in the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) two starts ago. He was well beaten in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) last time, but the return to Flemington and the 3200m should suit, although he needs to find a few lengths.

Royal Supremacy was a dominant winner of the Q22 (2200m) earlier this year and resumed with an all-the-way victory in the JRA Cup (2000m). The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper weakened badly when 15th in the Caulfield Cup (2400m), and while he is capable of better, he needs to bounce back sharply.

The Roger Varian-trained galloper made an encouraging Australian debut when third behind Kingswood in the Caulfield Cup (2400m), having previously led throughout to claim the Glorious Stakes (2412m) at Goodwood. He should settle handy again and looks a genuine contender if he can stretch his form out to the 3200m.

The lightly raced international won three of his four starts in England this year, including the Geoffrey Freer Stakes (2671m), before finishing 11th in the Caulfield Cup (2400m). He raced wide early on that occasion and should take improvement out of the run, with Damian Lane aboard for his first attempt at the 3200m.

Juja Kibo is one of the form horses heading into the Cup, having won The Metropolitan (2400m) before producing a strong finish to claim the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m). The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper is thriving this preparation and looks a serious winning chance if he can see out the extra distance.

The Chris Waller-trained veteran enjoyed a successful previous campaign but has struggled to reproduce that form this spring, finishing 12th in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) last time. He has previously finished fourth over the 3200m in the Auckland Cup, but would need to improve significantly on his recent efforts to feature.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained mare went close in last year's Melbourne Cup when runner-up behind Half Yours and returns after winning the Lillie Langtry Stakes (2816m) at Goodwood in August. She was disappointing in the Kilternan Stakes (2414m) last time and carries an additional 3.5kg this year, making her task considerably tougher.

The George Boughey-trained galloper has been progressive in England this year, winning over the 2816m at Goodwood before finishing runner-up in the Ebor Handicap (2786m) at York. He is yet to be tested at the 3200m but looks to have the right staying profile and is one of the more interesting international runners.

Onesmoothoperator returns for his third Melbourne Cup appearance after finishing 12th in 2024 and 16th last year. The former Geelong Cup and Moonee Valley Cup winner was well beaten in the Geelong Cup (2400m) last time and needs to find plenty of improvement to be competitive.

The Chris Waller-trained galloper was runner-up in the Sydney Cup (3200m) earlier this year, so the distance holds no concerns. He has been below his best this preparation, however, and was eighth in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) after making a mid-race move, so he needs to lift on recent form.

Zahrann looked a genuine Cups contender when defeating Saint George in the Naturalism Stakes (2000m), but has been unable to build on that performance. The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper was fourth in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) last time and can improve again, although the rise to the 3200m is a new challenge.

So You Are comes into the Melbourne Cup in outstanding form, having won four consecutive races, including the ATC St Leger (2600m) and Bendigo Cup (2400m). The Bjorn Baker-trained galloper is rock-hard fit and should settle on the speed for Rachel King, with the 3200m looking well within his capabilities.

The nine-year-old has been racing consistently without winning this preparation, including a fourth in the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) and ninth in the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m). He was well beaten at his only previous attempt over the 3200m in the 2023 Melbourne Cup and looks up against it here.

The lightly raced Joseph O'Brien-trained galloper was third in the English Derby (2420m) earlier this year and caught the eye when finding the line strongly in the Kilternan Stakes (2414m). He has the profile of a progressive European stayer and could be suited by the rise to the 3200m, making him one of the more interesting runners.

Kizlyar has already proven himself over longer distances, defeating Defiantly over the 4013m at Royal Ascot earlier this year before placing in the Irish St Leger Trial (2816m). He was disappointing in the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) at his Australian debut and needs to improve sharply, although the 3200m won't be an issue.

Point Of Law stamped himself as a leading Melbourne Cup contender with an impressive victory in the Geelong Cup (2400m) at his Australian debut for Ciaron Maher. The lightly raced galloper has a stack of upside and looks well suited by the rise to the 3200m, with Ethan Brown retaining the ride.

Last year's Victoria Oaks (2500m) winner has struggled to make an impression against the older horses this preparation, finishing 12th in the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) before running last in the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m). She has some staying credentials but needs a significant turnaround in form to be competitive.

Mr Monaco booked his place in the Melbourne Cup with victory in The Bart Cummings (2500m) before finishing a close third behind stablemate Juja Kibo in the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m). The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper is racing well and gets a favourable weight turnaround on Juja Kibo, but needs to improve on his previous attempt at the 3200m.

Zakouma secured his place in the Cup with victory in the Andrew Ramsden (2800m) back in May, and his spring preparation has been geared towards peaking over the 3200m. His last-start effort in the Crystal Mile (1600m) is best ignored, and the Grahame Begg-trained galloper can be an improver with William Pike aboard.

Shockletz has been building nicely towards the Melbourne Cup since securing her place in the field with victory in the Archer Stakes (2500m) in September. The daughter of Shocking was a fast-finishing runner-up in the Tesio Stakes (2040m) last time and looks well placed with just 51kg, making her one of the better lightweight chances.