The Sandown Cup is run over the same traditional two-mile Cup distance as the famous Melbourne Cup race!
The next edition of the Sandown Cup runs on Sunday, May 31, 2026 as a lead-up to the Spring Cup races.
2026 Sandown Cup Odds
The season’s top Sandown Cup 2026 odds and betting market links will be available below the week of the race.
Sandown Cup Tips
Good Sandown Cup tips include backing in-form stayers, last start winners and well-weighted horses in the long-distance event.
Higher-rated and weighted runners also make a strong Sandown Cup betting tip with four of the five winners between 2015 and 2019 carrying at least 57kg to victory including Almoonqith (59kg in 2015).
2026 Sandown Cup Tips
Our Ladbrokes’ exclusive Sandown Cup 2026 betting tips and exotic Melbourne racing selections will be detailed below the week of the race so bookmark this page for the staying horses to back and sack in the $175,000 feature.
The Sandown Cup is a popular two-mile showdown run and won over the traditional 3200m Cup distance.
Previously held on Zipping Classic Day as part of the final key meeting of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, Sandown Cup Day is now its own feature meeting run earlier on a Sunday in late May or early June as a lead-up to the spring features.
For a number of years it took place at Caulfield Racecourse but moved back to Sandown Lakeside in 2025.
The Sandown Cup is a quality handicap showdown, holds Listed status, offers $175,000 in prize money and makes a nice ealry target for the spring stayers.
Sandown Cup Race Info
- Date: Sunday, May 31, 2026
- Track: Sandown Lakeside
- Distance: 3200m
- Conditions: Quality Handicap
- Status: Listed
- Prize Money: $175,000
2026 Sandown Cup Results
The full Sandown Cup 2026 Results & Finishing Order will be provided below once the race is run and won on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
Sandown Cup 2026 Race Day Schedule
There are eight races on Sandown Cup Day at Sandown, which is the feature race on the Sunday card.
| Race Name | Number | Time | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Tick Hurlde | 1 | 12:35 pm | 3400m |
| Australian Hurdle | 2 | 1:15 pm | 3900m |
| Race Previews Handicap | 3 | 1:55 pm | 1600m |
| Australian Steeplechase | 4 | 2:35 pm | 3900m |
| Samson BM70 | 5 | 3:05 pm | 2100m |
| Sandown Cup | 6 | 3:35 pm | 3200m |
| Fast Form BM70 | 7 | 4:05 pm | 1400m |
| Same Race Multi BM70 | 8 | 4:36 pm | 1200m |
Sandown Cup 2026 Date & Race Time
The 2026 Sandown Cup is run at 3:35 pm on Sunday, May 31. It’s the sixth race on the card at Sandown, on a card that features the Australian Hurdle and Steeplechase.
Sandown Cup Prize Money Breakdown
The Sandown Cup 2026 runs for a total prize pool of $200,000, with $118,000 going to the winner. Places are paid down to 10th.
| Position | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $118,000 |
| 2nd | $40,000 |
| 3rd | $18,000 |
| 4th | $8,000 |
| 5th | $4,000 |
| 6th-10th | $2,000 |
Sandown Cup Barrier Draw 2026
The 2026 Sandown Cup final field and barriers are announced on Thursday, May 28. The barrier draw is important for the 3200m contest at Sandown, but as is the case with most two-mile races, they all have time to find a spot in the run.
The final field, draw, and odds are released between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm on the Thursday prior, with Ladbrokes among the first bookmakers to release markets for the race
Sandown Cup Info
When: Sunday, May 31, 2026
Where: Sandown, Victoria
Stake: $200,000
Distance: 3200m
Sandown Cup Barrier Statistics
Sandown’s Hillside circuit provides a fair staying track, but barrier positions still play a tactical role over the 3200m journey. With a long run and multiple tempo changes expected, inside and midfield draws generally allow horses to settle into rhythm without excessive early pressure.
Horses that can relax in the run and conserve energy tend to be best suited, particularly those drawn to land in the first half of the field without being forced to cover extra ground early. Wide barriers are not a major disadvantage over the distance, but runners who are forced to work early or settle too far back often struggle to reel in the leaders late.
Overall, the race is less about gate bias and more about race shape, stamina, and timing the run home
Sandown Cup Betting Guide
The Sandown Cup is a traditional staying feature that often attracts proven distance horses, progressive stayers, and those stepping up from 2400m benchmark and listed races.
While upsets can occur in staying contests, the race is generally dominated by horses with strong and consistent form over longer trips. Proven stamina is key, particularly for runners who have already performed well at 2400m+ and are peaking deep into their preparation.
Punters should focus on runners with established staying credentials, good recent form, and evidence of handling genuinely run distance races. Horses that can sustain a long run rather than produce a short burst tend to be the most reliable profiles.
Recent editions have reinforced that quality and stamina usually prevail, with well-fancied stayers and consistent performers historically outperforming rough outsiders in the Sandown Cup.
Sandown Cup 2026 Field and Odds
| 6. The Western Front (5) J: Luke Currie 55kg 14116T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | ||
| 10. Zibulon (2) J: Teo Nugent 54kg 37688T: Paul Preusker | ||
| 4. Tajanis (8) J: Lachlan Neindorf 56.5kg 8×007T: Charlotte Littlefield | ||
| 3. Tempesti (4) J: Damien Thornton 58.5kg x9673T: Matt Cumani | ||
| 5. Sir Chartwell (3) J: Declan Bates 55kg 06543T: Annabel & Rob Archibald | ||
| 1. Crouch (1) J: Harry Coffey 60kg 02318T: Mike Breslin | ||
| 8. Shamarkand (7) J: Luke Cartwright 54kg x9820T: Shane Jackson | ||
| 11. Reddivo (6) J: Jett Stanley 54kg x8565T: Jamie Edwards |
Sandown Cup Betting
Sandown Cup betting is open at the start of race week, and markets are led by proven staying types especially any with previous winning form over the two-mile (3200m) distance.
Any last start winners, returning runners that finished well in the event the year before and Group performers down in grade are traditionally installed at shorter Sandown Cup odds.
Azuro ($2.90 in 2019) and Gin Martini ($4.40 in 2022) are the last favourites in Sandown Cup betting to win.
Sandown Cup Field
The Sandown Cup field attracts a quality line-up of potential spring bound stayers that may be targeting the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) over the same distance in Queensland on Stradbroke Handicap Day.
Sandown Cup nominations are taken the Tuesday before the race runs on the Sunday with final acceptances and the barrier draw released on the Thursday.
2026 Sandown Cup Field
The official Sandown Cup 2026 Field & Barriers will be published in full below once announced on the Thursday of race week so stay tuned to see what horses make the starting line-up.
2026 Sandown Cup Nominations
The official Sandown Cup 2026 nominations close the Tuesday leading up to the last of the major spring race days and the full list of early entries will be available below.
Sandown Cup Form Guide
The Sandown Cup form guide details all the need-to-know facts and stats including the jockeys, trainers, barriers, weights and lead-up runs of the horses in the field.
The Sandown Cup form has gone on to hold in tougher grade races a number of times over the years including when the 2020 winner Carif returned the following winter to run second in Queensland’s Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m).
2026 Sandown Cup Form Guide
A link to the comprehensive Sandown Cup 2026 Form Guide will be provided below the week of the race.
Past Sandown Cup Results
Notable recent Sandown Cup winners include Renew (2014), Almoonqith (2015), Qewy (2016) and Carif (2020).
The race was not held in 2023 but returned after a one-year hiatus in 2024 with Amade successful in the event which moved from the spring to winter.
Recent Sandown Cup Winners
A list of past Sandown Cup winners and placegetters dating back to the year 2012 can be found below.
| Year | Winner | Second | Third |
| 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2025 | Diwali | Through Irish Eyes | Alma Rise |
| 2024 | Amade | Ferago | Strawberry Rock |
|
2023 (Race Not Held) |
– | – | – |
| 2022 | Gin Martini | Team Captain | Good Idea |
| 2021 | Dragon Storm | True Marvel | Sweet Thomas |
| 2020 | Carif | Realm Of Flowers | San Huberto |
| 2019 | Azuro | Wall Of Fire | Neufbosc |
| 2018 | Yogi | Azuro | Vengeur Masque |
| 2017 | Fanatic | Swacadelic | Gallic Chieftain |
| 2016 | Qewy | Swacadelic | All I Survey |
| 2015 | Almoonqith | The Offer | Grand Marshal |
| 2014 | Renew | Like A Carousel | Shoreham |
| 2013 | Caravan Rolls On | Like A Carousel | Crafty Cruiser |
| 2012 | Ibicenco | Reuben Percival | Unusual Suspect |
FAQs about the Sandown Cup
When is the Sandown Cup 2026?
The Sandown Cup is run on May 31, 2026, at 3:35 pm. It’s the sixth race on the card.
Where is the Sandown Cup 2026?
Sandown hosts the Sandown Cup 2026. It’s one of Victoria’s premier racecourses and home to the Sandown Jumping Carnival.
What is the prize money for the Sandown Cup 2026?
The Sandown Cup prize money is $200,000, with the winner receiving $118,000.
What distance is the Sandown Cup run over?
The Sandown Cup is run over 3200m.
How many horses run in the Sandown Cup?
The Sandown Cup is limited to 16 runners and four emergencies, but most of the Sandown Cup fields attract 10-12 runners.
Who won the 2025 Sandown Cup?
Diwali won the 2025 Sandown Cup as a $9 chance with bookmakers.
How can I bet on the Sandown Cup?
Bet on the Sandown Cup with Ladbrokes. It has everything you need to place your Sandown Cup bets, including win, place, exotics, futures, and more.
What is Sandown Cup futures betting?
Sandown Cup futures betting is when punters bet on the race before the final field is released.
How do I watch the Sandown Cup live?
You can watch the Sandown Cup live on Ladbrokes. Other options are available, including SkyRacing and Racing.com.
How do I buy Sandown Cup tickets?
Tickets for the Sandown Cup are available at Victorian Racing.
What is the Sandown Cup dress code?
The Sandown Cup has a smart dress code, but it provides a more relaxed atmosphere on track.
How do I bet on the 2026 Sandown Cup?
Bet online or via the latest iOS/Android app with Ladbrokes.
The first step is to create an account at ladbrokes.com.au. The process is quick and easy!
Once you've created your account you can make a deposit via credit card, or any other of our secure payment methods.
Next up, head to the racing page and find the race and runner that's right for you.
Which horse will win the 2026 Sandown Cup?
The best way to pick which horse will win the Sandown Cup is to take into account the form, assess the barriers, and consider the weight the horse will carry (among other factors). Check out ladbrokes.com.au in the lead up to the race for full form information.