The 166th Melbourne Cup is set to bring the world’s best stayers to Flemington on the first Tuesday in November to contest the famous race that stops a nation.
With Point Of Law, Trustyourinstinct, Hopewell Rock, Shockletz and James J Braddock among the leading chances, this runner-by-runner guide looks at every horse expected to contest the Melbourne Cup 2026 – from the market fancies to the outsiders chasing a famous upset.
Some early withdrawals have taken some of the international polish off the race, with big names like Defiantly and Stinger Glass being ommited only a few days out.
As a result, we’re left with another wide-open market and a case to be made for most – although it’s worth noting both Ciaron Maher and Joseph O’Brien have dominated acceptances, combining to make up exactly half of the field.
Who will take home this year’s Cup and cement their status in the history books?
We detail all the key runners in our Melbourne Cup Preview down below!
1. Sons And Lovers (3) – Joseph O’Brien
He hasn’t seen much love in betting, but the Irish-bred Sons And Lovers might boast one of the classiest resumes of Joseph O’Brien’s runners.
Highlighted by a Group 2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil win at Longchamp over 2400m, the six-year-old won the Group 2 Red Sea Turf Handicap over 3000m in Saudi Arabia earlier in the year, with his latest run seeing him finish second in a Group 3 at Leopardstown.
His only start over 3200m came in the Dubai Gold Cup in March, where he ran fourth.
Carrying 57.5kg means he’s the highest-weighted horse of the international brigade, but O’Brien has been bullish on his Cup chances for some time, with Ryan Moore getting a crack in the saddle.
2. Trustyourinstinct (18) – Joseph O’Brien
One of several Irish raiders descending upon Flemington following a handy six-week gap between runs.
This gelding by Churchill won the Group 2 Curragh Cup by three-quarters of a length in mid-July, showcasing an enormous turn of foot when racing from last to first over the 2800m trip.
He just missed out on a place in the Group 1 Irish St Leger before hopping on the plane and now gets the added services of James McDonald on arrival.
Trainer Joseph O’Brien has already stated he feels his import needs dry, fast ground, and if he’s afforded the opportunity to get back off the speed and run his usual race, he’ll be incredibly hard to hold out.
3. Knight’s Choice (2) –John Symons & Sheila Laxon
Knight’s Choice, a shock 90-1 winner from two years ago, returns after missing last year’s edition.
He follows a similar leadup to the one that saw him cause a monumental boilover in 2024, although his effort in the Caulfield Cup two weeks ago left a lot to be desired.
Settling last and caught three-wide into the straight from an awful barrier, the son to Extreme Choice finished over 10 lengths off, although his previous run for third in the Herbert Power was far more encouraging.
The fact his last win was that famous Cup victory is telling, but on the plus side, we know he’ll see out the trip.
4. Middle Earth (1) – Ciaron Maher
Ignoring five consecutive starts without running a place is tough, but you can’t sleep on last year’s Melbourne Cup third place-getter.
Ciaron Maher has sent this gelding around in much tougher races including the Underwood Stakes, the Caulfield Cup, and the Ladbrokes Cox Plate this preparation.
Awkward barriers have been partly to blame, but his late splits (third-fastest final 200m) in the Caulfield Cup is noteworthy, while he also made up late ground in the Cox Plate after settling dead last.
A noted performer here at Flemington with dual Cup-winner Mark Zahra engaged, he rates a serious each-way prospect.
5. Vauban (22) – Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
After running sixth last year, Vauban is back for a fourth crack at the Cup as Waterhouse and Bott’s only accepted runner.
The last 12 months have produced a mixed bag of results for the French import, highlighted by a Group 3 win at Rosehill first-up in the autumn and a placing in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes in behind Aeliana two weeks later.
The gelding to Galiway again featured in the money in the Doomben Cup over the winter, while there were excuses on offer from a wide gate in the Geelong Cup where he also carried 60.5kg.
At nine years old, it’s fair to wonder how much is left in the tank, but on pure merit, he can’t be taken lightly.
6. Enfjaar (8) – Roger Varian
First impressions don’t get much better than a third in the Caulfield Cup.
Roger Varian’s seven-year-old arrived in fine style two weeks ago, setting up shop close to the speed before his condition gave way over the late stages in behind the winner Kingswood and runner-up Saint George.
Off that, the step up two miles looks perfect for the son to Lope de Vega, while he gets in carrying only 1.5kg extra at the weights.
A previous winner of the Group 3 Glorious Stakes at Goodwood, it’s worth noting he’s handled both wet and dry conditions, with jockey Ray Dawson likely to take the reins.
7. Royal Supremacy (21) – Ciaron Maher
Another horse back for a second crack at the Melbourne Cup is the Ciaron Maher-trained Royal Supremacy.
The six-year-old UK import finished 15th in last year’s edition and has gone largely unwanted in Futures betting this year, although his resume does read much better than you might expect from a $101 shot.
The last 12 months have seen him win the Group 2 Q22 up in Queensland at weight-for-age, while more recently, he claimed the JRA Cup at Caulfield over 2000m as the joint favourite.
Rewinding further to last spring, he was a winner of the Group 1 Metropolitan on his way to running fifth in the Caulfield Cup, seen doing his best work late.
He’ll carry 56kg on Tuesday (up from the 51kg he carried last year) where the wide gate played a major part.
After finding the box seat last year, he might benefit more from settling further back in the run this time.
8. Wine Dark Sea (23) – Harry Charlton
Wine Dark Sea is another UK import with everything to prove.
He was fancied heavily on debut ahead of the Caulfield Cup two weeks ago, backed into $8 before the jump on his way to finishing over six lengths off the winner Kingswood.
Harry Charlton’s import made a move mid-race to push forward and lead into the straight, weakening badly once the pressure came.
The tactics on Tuesday will be fascinating, but he remains one of the more promising stayers in the field with an impressive Group 3win of Geoffrey Freer Stakes over 2671m at Newbury before heading down under.
A better gate and a more conservative ride could see him bounce back in a big way on Tuesday.
9. Asterix (6) – Chris Waller
Chris Waller holds a strong hand in this year’s Melbourne Cup, with 2022 New Zealand Derby winner Asterix one of five horses facing the starter.
The eight-year-old son to Tavistock doesn’t have the best overall strike rate, but he did enter Cup calculations when winning back to back starts in Sydney over the autumn, including a Group 3 at Randwick and the Gosford Cup.
He resumed up in Brisbane over the winter to claim the Group 3 Tatt’s Cup second-up and was competitive at the same level in the Naturalism Stakes earlier in the spring, placing behind Zahrann and Saint George.
His two most recent runs in the Turnbull Stakes and Caulfield Cup have been below par however, and he quickly needs to rediscover his best form. This is also his first start over 3200m since competing in the Auckland Cup way back in 2024.
10. Goodie Two Shoes (19) –Joseph O’Brien
Joseph O’Brien will be hoping for a drama-free leadup to this year’s Cup with Goodie Two Shoes.
The Irish international nearly missed out entirely last year before passing a vet check two days prior, which in hindsight, would have been a huge shame given she ran on so well to finish second behind Half Yours.
A daughter to Fastnet Rock, she was quickly sent home and given a long layoff, returning to the races in June on her way to winning the Lillie Langtry Stakes over 2800m in her second run back.
Unfortunately, her latest effort where she was last to greet the judge in the Kilternan Stakes at Leopardstown is a concern and she will need to put that run behind her in a hurry carrying 4.5kg extra into this year’s Melbourne Cup.
11. Jija Kibo (14) – Ciaron Maher
Juja Kibo is a horse in form following back-to-back wins of The Metropolitan in Sydney, and the Moonee Valley Gold Cup two Saturday’s ago here at Flemington.
The Gold Cup win earned him a golden ticket into Tuesday’s Cup and he should be in safe hands again with winning jockey Sam Clipperton set to retain the ride.
That win two Saturday’s ago was breathtaking to say the least, making up enormous ground from the tail to finish over the top. Whether the pattern of the Cup pans out the same way remains the key to his chances, but you can’t discount another strong performance with recent form indicating he’s at the very least a Top 10 chance.
12. Hopewell Rock (15) – George Boughey
Wathnan Racing and trainer George Boughey will lineup Hopewell Rock on Tuesday, their first-ever runner in the Melbourne Cup.
This Irish international has had Cup aspirations ever since he won a 2800m race at Goodwood in August, backing that performance up with a narrow defeat to Daiquiri Bay in the Ebor Handicap at York – a form reference that has typically held up well.
The travel plus the rise to 3200m are the two obvious question marks, but he remains a horse with serious upside and potential, one that should proudly fly the flag for the English brigade.
13. Onesmoothoperator (13) – Tim Fitzsimmons
The American-bred import figures to go around at much longer odds than the $16 on offer this time last year.
The old boy, who turned nine this year, finished 16 in the field of 24 following a barnstorming win in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup a week earlier.
That was the last time he tasted victory and he is back for a third straight crack having also finished down the order in 2024.
The fact he’s failed to go remotely close to a place in all four races he’s contested this year though, suggests he needs to improve drastically.
14. Soul Of Spain (5) – Chris Waller
Another of Waller’s Irish imports who has proven himself over two miles, notably placing in this year’s Sydney Cup.
Tommy Berry gets in nicely at the weights carrying only 54.5kg, but his recent form needs a bit of a lift. He hasn’t won a race in just over a year and finished off only fairly in the Caulfield Cup, beaten 4.7 lengths in the end.
15. Zahrann (11) – Ciaron Maher
This year’s Group 3 Naturalism Stakes winner doesn’t look out of place getting out over 3200m for the first time.
The inside barrier offered him little luck two back in the Turnbull Stakes where he was a distant 18 lengths off Cosmic Crusader, but there was noticeable improvement in the Caulfield Cup where he made up some late ground to finish sixth.
The trip is a genuine test, and he probably won’t want any sign of a wet track like he had in the Turnbull. Carrying 54.5kg is a serious advantage however, and he does look a horse set to peak now if he’s afforded every opportunity to get back and save his best for the finish.
16. So You Are (16) – Bjorn Baker
So You Are arrives on a four-race winning streak after taking out the Randwick City Cup, Colin Stephen Quality, ATC St Leger and Bendigo Cup.
Rachel King gave him a patient, well-judged ride at Bendigo, where he kicked clear and held on despite tiring late.
He’ll carry 54kg, but the Melbourne Cup’s 3200m is untested territory given his longest win was over 2600m.
Although he’s in impeccable form, the six-day turnaround from the Bendigo Cup is another consideration as he hopes to become the first horse to complete the double.
17. Future History (12) – Gregory Hickman
A late call-up, Future History found himself earning his way into the Cup after Japanese raider Stinger Glass’ withdrew.
A veteran war horse if there ever was one, Gregory Hickman’s gelding has held his form without winning of late, finishing runner-up on return at Headquarters over 1700m and laying down a good challenge for fourth in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes.
Again, it’s been a long time since he last won a race, and he’ll need to improve several lengths on his lead-up effort when ninth in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup.
On the plus side, he gets last year’s winning jockey Jamie Melham in the saddle and has handled the 3200m trip in the Cup, albeit finishing 15th three years ago.
18. James J Braddock (24) –Joseph O’Brien
Another of Joseph O’Brien’s imports who has as many admirers as he does doubters.
The lightly-raced four-year-old to Frankel was aimed at a potential Cup tilt when he ran third in the Epsom Derby earlier in the year, but expectations may have cooled slightly with two flat efforts in the Irish Derby and Lilternan Stakes, where he ran sixth on both occasions over 2400m.
On class, he still has major claims and can’t be taken lightly with 2019 Cup-winning jockey Craig Williams, carrying only 53.5kg.
19. Kizlyar (20) – Joseph O’Brien
Kizlyar has formidable staying credentials, having won the 4023m Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot by a head from stablemate Defiantly.
He was also runner-up in the Irish St Leger Trial, but his Australian debut was less encouraging: he finished 11th in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup at Flemington.
Listed at 53.5kg, he has the stamina for the Melbourne Cup, but needs to improve sharply on that local run. He moved into the field after Defiantly’s veterinary withdrawal on Saturday.
20. Point Of Law (9) – Ciaron Maher
Hoping to become the first horse since Dunaden way back in 2011 to complete the Geelong Cup-Melbourne Cup double.
Point Of Law also has his sights set on a hat-trick after overcoming a wide barrier two weeks ago to win by half a length in his Australian debut, settling on the outside of the leader before improving sharply into the straight.
A winner of the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket prior to making the journey over, this talented Frankel entire looks ready for the 3200m trip now, although some query his race experience compared to the more seasoned runners in the field.
Carrying 53kg thanks to a penalty is a big plus though, and if the track stays dry come Tuesday, he has to be considered one of the top chances.
21. Strictly Business (4) – Thomas Carberry
The very best from this mare would see Strictly Business competitive, but she’s a tricky one to get a read on.
A year ago the daughter to Grunt was firing on all cylinders, rattling off a pair of placings on the way to a 3.5 length romping in the VRC Oaks where she was installed on the second line of betting.
Since then, a slow start to the autumn featured a disappointing second-last effort in the Australasian Oaks, but she did bounce back in a big way to run a narrow second in the South Australian Derby.
It’s tough to dig too much into that form, while she’s since come out and finished 14th in the Naturalism, 13th in the Herbert Power, and last in the Caulfield Cup.
It helps knowing she handles both wet and dry tracks, but on recent performances, she’s hard to entertain.
22. Mr Monaco (10) – Ciaron Maher
This year’s Lexus Bart Cummings winner looks to be in tip-top shape ahead of his first Cup tilt.
A noted wet tracker, this six-year-old UK import relished the heavy track to finish over a length in front of Litzdeel, also putting up a gap to one of last year’s Melbourne Cup top prospects, Valiant King.
He found himself back on a dry track when contesting the Moonee Valley Gold Cup two Saturday’s ago over 2500m, overracing early and caught five deep into the turn, but sticking on incredibly well to grab third.
It’s worth noting apprentice jockey Jabez Johnstone dropped his whip over the final furlong, so there’s a case to be made for him to improve further with two solid runs over 2500m now under his belt. How he sees out 3200m following a flat performance in this year’s Sydney Cup os the main query.
23. Zakouma (10) – Grahame Begg
Zakouma has been set for the Cup since early May when he punched his ticket with a win in the Andrew Ramsden.
That came on the back of two solid wins starting at Sandown, and again over 2000m at Flemington where he was a long way back in transit before making up a stack of late ground.
More recently, we’ve seen him finish midfield in races like the Naturalism and Herbert Power, although his latest effort in the Crystal Mile was cause for concern.
Regardless, trainer Grahame Begg has never had a runner in the Cup, and with Zakouma carrying only 52kg, he looks to have a live chance on his hands if he sees out 3200m for the first time.
24. Shockletz (17) – Ciaron Maher
If you’re looking for a horse for the course, Shocking is your pick.
A daughter to 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, this talented mare out of Ciaron Maher’s stable has won three times here at Flemington, while her latest runner-up effort over 2040m in the Tesio Stakes was incredibly encouraging.
Like others, the rise to 3200m for the first time is the true test, although her second-up win of the Group 3 Archer Sakes over 2500m here at Headquarters in September did help silence some of her stamina critics.
Set to carry only 51kg with Harry Coffey experienced in the saddle, Shockletz has to be considered one of the top local hopes.