First look at the Melbourne Cup form - we rate the top 24 horses

October 27, 2026 — 11:58amThis guide will be updated when the field is set with comments from Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne assessing each runner’s chances.If the early bird catches the worm, then we are giving you every chance to pick the winner of this year’s Melbourne Cup.We have burned the midnight oil a week out from the race that stops the nation to provide a comprehensive runner-by-runner guide to the top 31 chances in this year’s event – the field of 24 will be finalised on Saturday night.Point of Law rockets into Melbourne Cup favouritism after winning the Geelong Cup.Getty ImagesThe top 24 have been ordered in most likely saddle cloth numbers – from top weight down to bottom weight.Sons and Lovers (GB)6yoG (gelding) 57.5kgTrainer: Joseph O’Brien. Jockey: Ryan MooreCareer: 23: 6-2-6 Last start: Second of 11 G3 Kilternan Stakes LeopardstownRussell says: A dual group 2 winner from Ireland who sounds more like a midday soapie than a racehorse. That being said, in our view he has more chance of winning an Emmy than the Melbourne Cup, considering he has to lug 57.5kg to victory first-up in Australia.Stinger Glass (JPN)6yoH (stallion) 57kgTrainer: Yasuo Tomomichi. Jockey: Christophe LemaireCareer: 12: 6-2-0 Last start: 13th of 18 G1 Takarazuka Kinen 2200mRussell says: Japanese horses generally get the shivers at the hint of rain, so a big watch on the weather forecast. If we have a dry track, go on his win two starts back in a group 3 over 3401m. That puts him right in the mix. Jockey Christophe Lemaire won the 2011 Cup on Dunaden. If dry, can win. If wet, could finish last.Stinger Glass doing track work at Werribee earlier this month.Getty ImagesTrustyourinstinct (IRE)7yoG 57kgTrainer: Joseph O’Brien. Jockey: James McDonaldCareer: 30: 9-7-4 Last start: 4th of 7 G1 Irish St Leger 2816mRussell says: If you believe in the saying, ‘follow the money’, this is the horse for you. He’s owned by Irish billionaire JP McManus, who used to be a bookmaker. That’s a good lead right there. He is also a group 2 winner with a serious chance. Watch to see if McManus bets up big on Cup eve. Top five hope.Defiantly (FRA)5yoG 56.5kgTrainer: Joseph O’Brien. Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagleCareer: 9: 3-1-1 Last start: First of six G2 Prix Kergorlay Deauville 2999mRussell says: The UK’s version of Pride Of Jenni who will turn this year’s race into a war of attrition. Capable of leading from start to finish in the same manner as O’Brien’s 2020 Cup winner Twilight Payment. The Kergorlay is a good form guide, having thrown up Cup winners Americain (2010) and Protectionist (2014), but a 24-horse Cup field might cause him agoraphobia.Middle Earth (GB)7yoG 56.5kgTrainer: Ciaron Maher. Jockey: Mark ZahraCareer: 26: 6-2-3 Last start: Eighth of 12 G1 Cox Plate 2040mRussell says: If this galloper’s name has been plucked from JRR Tolkien mythology, then surely his trainer, Ciaron Maher, qualifies as some sort of modern-day wizard. Maher is on fire and has given this fellow the old-fashioned Cup preparation. Bart Cummings’ rule was 10km – he has racked up 9.94km in five lead-up races. He looked good late in the Cox Plate. A winning chance.Robbie Dolan rides Knight’s Choice to a famous win in the 2024 Melbourne Cup.GettyKnight’s Choice7yoG 56.5kgTrainer: John Symons & Sheila Laxon. Jockey: Robbie DolanCareer: 31: 6-3-3 Last start: 14th of 18 G1 Caulfield Cup 2400mRussell says: The shock 2024 winner was robbed of the chance to defend his crown in 2025 because of the equine equivalent of a lockdown. Not COVID-19, but strangles – a contagious bacterial disease – that was detected at Macedon Lodge on the eve of last year’s spring. Great run in the Herbert Power two starts back, might have copped interference in Caulfield Cup. Can’t win.Vauban (FR)9yoG 56.5kgTrainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. Jockey: TBCCareer: 33: 10-5-6 Last start: Ninth of 13 G3 Geelong Cup 2400mRussell says: The veteran is lining up for his fourth Melbourne Cup – the first two for Irish trainer Willie Mullins before he was sold to Australian connections to be trained by Waterhouse and Bott. He finished sixth last year, but might not be going as well. Although he was first-up in the Geelong Cup, so hard to tell.Royal Supremacy (IRE)6yoG 56kgTrainer: Ciaron Maher. Jockey: TBCCareer: 22: 7-3-4 Last start: 15th of 18 G1 Caulfield Cup 2400mRussell says: Cooked in the Caulfield Cup by a head-scratching ride from visiting hoop Jamie Spencer. He bolted to the front, whacked on the handbrakes and then looked confused when the pressure went back on from the 800m. He was flying before that. Outside the top 10.Enfjaar (IRE)7yoG 56kgTrainer: Roger Varian. Jockey: Ray Dawson (TBC)Career: 17: 5-2-3 Last start: Third of 18 G1 Caulfield Cup 2400mRussell says: Best of internationals in the Caulfield Cup, and in my view, internationals need an impressive lead-up run in Australia if they are to win the Melbourne Cup. He ticks that box. And for those struggling to pronounce his name, Google says Enfjaar means “burst” in Arabic. Top 10.Wine Dark Sea (GB)5yoG 56kgTrainer: Harry Charlton. Jockey: Damien LaneCareer: 11: 4-2-0 Last start: 11th of 18 G1 Caulfield Cup 2400mRussell says: Purchased abroad by Australian Bloodstock, who have won the Cup with Protectionist and Gold Trip, and was a massive spruik horse leading into the Caulfield Cup. Sadly for punters, he didn’t live up to expectations. Needs a gigantic turnaround.Goodie Two Shoes, left in the green-and-yellow silks, finishes second behind Half Yours in the 2025 Melbourne Cup.Joe ArmaoGoodie Two Shoes (IRE)8yoM (mare) 55kgTrainer: Joseph O’Brien. Jockey: Wayne LordanCareer: 31: 14-2-7 Last start: Tenth of 11 G3 Kilternan Stakes 2414mRussell says: A former hurdler who ran a surprise second in the Melbourne Cup last year. Trained by Joseph O’Brien, who has already won the race twice, and owned by Irish billionaire JP McManus. Slightly disappointing last start, but that might have been a pipe owner. Top 10 finish.Juja Kibo (IRE)6yoG 55kgTrainer: Ciaron Maher. Jockey: Sam ClippertonCareer: 20: 6-3-6 Last start: First of 16 G2 MV Gold Cup 2500mRussell says: In hot form, having won its past two starts, including a big win in the group 2 Metropolitan at Randwick on October 3. Didn’t make the cut for the Caulfield Cup, but many believed he could have won the race. Copped a 1.5kg for the MV Gold Cup win. Still think he brings the B-grade form. Top 10.Trainer Ciaron Maher will have a number of horses running in the Melbourne Cup. Getty ImagesAsterix (NZ)8yoG 55kgTrainer: Chris Waller. Jockey: TBCCareer: 33: 8-1-2 Last start: 12th of 18 G1 Caulfield Cup 2400mRussell says: Caught up in the backwash of the tragic fall in the Caulfield Cup. A group 1-winning stayer from New Zealand owned by former Kiwi cricket great Mark Greatbatch and now in the Chris Waller barn. An outsider, but any rain will help.Saint George (GB)7yoG 55kgTrainer: Ciaron Maher. Jockey: Blake ShinnCareer: 24: 6-5-2 Last start: Fifth of 12 G1 Cox Plate 2040mRussell says: Aiming to become the first grey to win the Cup since Efficient in 2007, and has had the perfect preparation – second in the Caulfield Cup followed by an absolute flashing light run in the Cox Plate. Traditionally, that is a winning formula. Top three pick.Hopewell Rock (IRE)5yoG 54.5kgTrainer: George Boughey. Jockey: Zac LloydCareer: 10: 3-3-2 Last start: Second of 22 Ebor Handicap 2787mRussell says: Another international with decent credentials, but will have to defy history to win this year’s Cup. No runner has come out of York’s Ebor Handicap and saluted on the first Tuesday in November. But a few have been close – Heartbreak City ran second in 2017, while Purple Moon was a runner-up in 2007. Sits 24th in order of entry, so still not guaranteed a start.Onesmoothoperator wins the Geelong Cup in 2024.Getty ImagesOnesmoothoperator (US)9yoG 54.4kgTrainer: Tim Fitzsimmons. Jockey: Declan BatesCareer: 51: 6-11-6 Last start: 11th of 13 G3 Geelong Cup 2400mRussell says: Has gone off the boil. The veteran started second favourite and ran 12th in the 2024 Melbourne Cup after winning the Geelong Cup in the lead-up. Won the MV Gold Cup last year before finishing 16th in the Cup. Not going as well this year. Will be grateful they pay back to last.Soul Of Spain (IRE)6yoG 54.5kgTrainer: Chris Waller. Jockey: Tommy BerryCareer: 26: 5-5-6 Last start: Eight of 18 G1 Caulfield Cup 2400mRussell says: Ran second in the Sydney Cup over 3200m but has been slightly disappointing at his past two starts, including a seventh in The Metropolitan. Might have been ridden upside down in the Caulfield Cup. Needs to improve.Zahrann (IRE)5yoH 54.5kgTrainer: Ciaron Maher. Jockey: Ben MelhamCareer: 12: 4-2-1 Last start: Sixth of 18 G1 Caulfield Cup 2400mRussell says: This year’s smoky, considering he started second favourite in the Caulfield Cup and was clearly disadvantaged after being caught up in the tragic mid-race fall. Has not raced over 2400m, but being Irish-bred should relish the two miles. Top five chance.James J Braddock (GB)4yoH 53.5kgTrainer: Joseph O’Brien. Jockey: Craig WilliamsCareer: 8: 2-1-2 Last start: 6th of 11 G3 Kilternan Stakes 2414mRussell says: Another northern hemisphere three-year-old bought by a big group of Aussies. Three things to consider here: He is still trained by O’Brien. Tick. He was sourced by big Melbourne buyer Ozzie Kheir. Tick. Craig Williams sought the ride. Double tick. He is a group 3 winner, lightly raced, and will carry a light weight. First-up in Australia the only concern. A first-four pick.Ethan Brown salutes his Geelong Cup win on Point of Law.Getty ImagesPoint Of Law (GB)4yoH 53kgTrainer: Ciaron Maher. Jockey: Ethan Brown (TBC)Career: 5: 3-1-0 Last start: First of 13 G3 Geelong Cup 2400mRussell says: Point to the winner’s circle more like it. This striking specimen’s Geelong Cup victory was the greatest Melbourne Cup audition since Dunaden did the Geelong-Melbourne double in 2011. A northern hemisphere three-year-old who supposedly cost his Aussie owners $3.5 million, and might be worth every cent. Maher did caution about him being inexperienced. Top three.Strictly Business4yoM 53kgTrainer: Thomas Carberry. Jockey: TBCCareer: 11: 2-2-0 Last start: 16th of 16 G2 MV Gold Cup 2500mRussell says: One of the stories of last spring when she won the VRC Oaks for a big group of Irish expats and small-time Ballarat trainer Carberry. Ballarat’s Miners Rest Tavern has never been the same since. But she has struggled to make the transition from three-year-old to open company. Not going well enough.Mr Monaco (GB)6yoG 52.5kgTrainer: Ciaron Maher. Jockey: Jabez JohnstoneCareer: 20: 6-2-2 Last start: Third of 16 G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup 2500mRussell says: Flopped in this year’s Sydney Cup despite starting second favourite, which is a bit of a concern. Qualified for the race by winning the group 3 Bart Cummings (2500m) on a heavy Flemington track on October 3. Maybe a rung below the top-liners, but any rain will help.Zakouma 6yoG 52kgTrainer: Grahame Begg. Jockey: William PikeCareer: 18: 5-2-1 Last start: 11th of 11 G2 Crystal Mile 1600mRussell says: Booked a golden ticket in May by winning the Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m). That form looks like an egg-and-spoon race compared to other Cup form lines. But Begg is an astute old-school trainer and jockey-of-the-moment Willie Pike takes the ride. Last start was merely a warm-up lap.Shockletz (NZ)5yoM 51kgTrainer: Ciaron Maher. Jockey: Harry CoffeyCareer: 20: 7-3-1 Last start: Second of 15 G3 Tesio Stakes 2040mRussell says: Another golden ticket winner, having saluted in the group 3 Archer Stakes at Flemington in September, but looms as a contender for Caulfield Cup-winning jockey Harry Coffey. Dusted off the cobwebs with a strong second in the group 3 Tessio Stakes on Cox Plate day.The Euphrates stretches out late in his Kingston Town Stakes win.Getty ImagesOUTSIDE THE TOP 24The Euphrates (GB) – Twenty-fifth on the order of entry. Entered in Wednesday’s Bendigo Cup.Future History (GB) – Twenty-sixth in the order of entry, so is borderline to make the final cut.Kizlyar (IRE) – Twenty-seventh in the order of entry. Needs luck to make the field.So You Are – Twenty-eight in the order of entry. Needs to win Wednesday’s Bendigo Cup to guarantee a start.Litzdeel (NZ) – Thirty-third in the order of entry. Needs to win the Bendigo Cup.Kings Valley (IRE) – Thirty-sixth in the order of entry. Needs to win Wednesday’s Bendigo Cup to make the field.Soulcombe (GB) – Needs a top three finish in the Bendigo Cup to pass the ballot clause and make the field.News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.More:Melbourne CupFor subscribersVictorian racingHorse racingFlemingtonFrom our partners