All Sports Tips · Melbourne Cup preview
Melbourne Cup 2026 Tips & Preview
Full field, barrier draw, ground and our Melbourne Cup betting tips for the 3200m handicap at Flemington.
The verdict: We expect the ground to be soft by Tuesday. That counts against the favourite, Point Of Law, who’s never run on rain-affected ground. Our Melbourne Cup tip is Hopewell Rock (9/1), each way. He was beaten a head in the Ebor on soft and now runs off a much lower weight. Sons And Lovers (20/1) is our each-way dark horse from barrier 3.
Melbourne Cup 2026: date, UK time and race facts
The 166th Lexus Melbourne Cup is Race 7 at Flemington on Tuesday 3 November. It starts at 3:00pm local time (AEDT), which is 04:00 GMT in the UK. The clocks have gone back here and forward in Melbourne, so that’s an early alarm. For more on watching from Britain, see our Melbourne Cup UK time guide.
| Race | Lexus Melbourne Cup (Group 1 handicap), Race 7 |
|---|---|
| Course / distance | Flemington, 3200m (about 2 miles), rail out 3m |
| Off time | 3:00pm AEDT / 04:00 GMT, Tuesday 3 November 2026 |
| Prize money | $10.2m total. 1st $4.5m, 2nd $1.11m, 3rd $560,000, 4th $360,000 |
| Weights | Top weight 57.5kg (Sons And Lovers), minimum 51kg. Apprentices can’t claim |
| Field | 24 final acceptors, no emergencies |
| Final scratchings | 7:30am AEDT Tue 3 Nov (20:30 GMT Mon 2 Nov) |
Source: Racing Australia official Race 7 field. UK time converted from AEDT (UTC+11).
Melbourne Cup barrier draw 2026
The full Melbourne Cup barrier draw is below, in gate order with weight, jockey and bet365 price. Barriers 1–24 are as officially drawn. There are no emergencies, so if a horse is scratched, every runner drawn outside it moves in one stall. For more on why the draw matters, see our draw and stall position guide.
| Barrier | Horse | Kg | Jockey | bet365 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle Earth (GB) | 56.5 | Mark Zahra | 14/1 |
| 2 | Knight’s Choice | 56.5 | Robbie Dolan | 40/1 |
| 3 | Sons And Lovers (GB) | 57.5 | Dylan Browne McMonagle | 20/1 |
| 4 | Strictly Business | 53 | Dean Yendall | 80/1 |
| 5 | Soul Of Spain (IRE) | 54.5 | Tommy Berry | 30/1 |
| 6 | Asterix (NZ) | 55 | Jye McNeil | 70/1 |
| 7 | So You Are | 54 | Rachel King | 12/1 |
| 8 | Enfjaar (IRE) | 56 | Ray Dawson | 22/1 |
| 9 | Point Of Law (GB) | 53 | Ethan Brown | 11/2 |
| 10 | Zakouma | 52 | William Pike | 25/1 |
| 11 | Zahrann (IRE) | 54.5 | Ben Melham | 25/1 |
| 12 | Future History (GB) | 53.5 | Jamie Melham | 60/1 |
| 13 | Onesmoothoperator (USA) | 54.5 | Declan Bates | 80/1 |
| 14 | Juja Kibo (IRE) | 55 | Sam Clipperton | 10/1 |
| 15 | Hopewell Rock (IRE) | 54.5 | Zac Lloyd | 9/1 |
| 16 | Mr Monaco (GB) | 52.5 | Jabez Johnstone (a) | 22/1 |
| 17 | Shockletz (NZ) | 51 | Harry Coffey (TBC) | 9/1 |
| 18 | Trustyourinstinct (IRE) | 57 | James McDonald | 15/2 |
| 19 | Goodie Two Shoes (IRE) | 55 | Wayne Lordan | 25/1 |
| 20 | Kizlyar (IRE) | 53.5 | Beau Mertens | 40/1 |
| 21 | Royal Supremacy (IRE) | 56 | Ben Allen | 70/1 |
| 22 | Vauban (FR) | 56.5 | Jordan Childs | 60/1 |
| 23 | Wine Dark Sea (GB) | 56 | Damian Lane | 50/1 |
| 24 | James J Braddock (GB) | 53.5 | Craig Williams | 18/1 |
Barriers, weights and riders: Racing Australia. Prices: bet365 UK via racing-odds.com, checked 14:34 GMT Sun 1 Nov 2026. Prices will change.
What barrier draw history tells us
The VRC’s historian Andrew Lemon analysed Cup results from 1958, when starting stalls were introduced, to 2022. Every barrier from 1 to 24 has produced a winner. Barrier 11 has the most wins, with seven. Barriers 7, 12, 19 and 23 have one each. Grouped by the stall horses actually started from, barriers 1–8 produced 18 winners, 9–16 produced 25 and 17–24 produced 22. Middle draws have a slight edge, but wide gates aren’t a disaster. Kingston Rule (1990) and Prince of Penzance (2015) are the only winners from barrier 1. That gives some hope to Middle Earth.
For 2026, Middle Earth (1), Knight’s Choice (2) and Sons And Lovers (3) have the best draws. Trustyourinstinct (18), Goodie Two Shoes (19), Wine Dark Sea (23) and James J Braddock (24) will need cover or luck.
Source: VRC, “Melbourne Cup barrier draw: history and statistics” (Andrew Lemon, October 2024).
Flemington weather and expected track rating
On Sunday morning Flemington was rated Good 4 (Racing Australia, inspection 8am Sunday 1 Nov, GoingStick 9.4). That will almost certainly change. The Bureau of Meteorology forecast for Flemington, issued at 12:32am AEDT on Monday 2 November, says:
Monday 2 November
- 95% chance of rain, 3–15mm possible
- Very high chance of showers
- Chance of a thunderstorm, possibly severe, in the north-west suburbs
- Max 19°C
Tuesday 3 November (race day)
- Cloudy, min 14°C, max 18°C
- 40% chance of rain, 0–1mm
- Showers likely in the morning and early afternoon
- Southerly winds 15–25km/h
Flemington track manager Liam O’Keeffe said on Sunday that 3.8mm fell on Derby Day. He expects 5–10mm on Monday, which would put the track in the Soft 5 to Soft 6 range for the Cup. That forecast could be wrong by a grade either way, and a heavy storm on Monday could make it softer. The official rating comes on race morning.
How the ground affects the runners: soft ground at 3200m tests stamina. That suits proven mudlarks such as Hopewell Rock (soft/heavy: 1 win, 3 seconds from 5 runs), So You Are (soft 13: 3-5-1), Juja Kibo (Soft 6 Metropolitan winner), Sons And Lovers (Group 2 winner on soft), Mr Monaco (heavy-ground Bart Cummings winner) and Shockletz (soft 7: 3-1-0). Point Of Law has only run on good ground. That’s the main reason we think the favourite is too short. Read more in our going explained guide.
Sources: Bureau of Meteorology Flemington forecast; Racing Australia track report; Liam O’Keeffe, speaking to Betsy.com.au, 1 Nov 2026.
Melbourne Cup runners 2026: horse-by-horse guide
All 24 Melbourne Cup runners, in racebook order. Each entry gives barrier, weight, jockey, trainer, the last 10 runs (most recent on the right) and official career, ground and track records. Not sure how to read the figures? See how to read form. Tap a horse to open its entry.
1. Sons And Lovers (GB) · 20/1 bet365
Barrier 3 · 57.5kg · J: Dylan Browne McMonagle · T: Joseph O’Brien
Last 10: 13x14451x2 · Career 19: 4-2-5 · Good 16: 3-2-4 · Soft 3: 1-0-1
Has the right profile for a soft-ground Cup. He won the Group 2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil over 2800m on soft at Longchamp in July and was fourth, beaten 4.5 lengths, over 3200m in the Dubai Gold Cup in March. His last run was a 2.25-length second in the Kilternan under 63.5kg, so 57.5kg looks fair. Gold Trip carried the same weight to win in 2022. He’s drawn 3, which suits, and wears winkers for the first time. Our each-way dark horse.
2. Trustyourinstinct (IRE) · 15/2 bet365
Barrier 18 · 57kg · J: James McDonald · T: Joseph O’Brien
Last 10: x76x721214 · Career 25: 9-6-3 · Good 14: 6-4-1 · Soft 9: 3-2-1 · Heavy 2: 0-0-1
He’s won over 3200m before and won the Group 2 Curragh Cup (2816m) in July. He then finished fourth, 4.5 lengths behind Scandinavia, in the Irish St Leger. He usually carries 61.5–63kg at home, so 57kg is a real drop, and James McDonald knows how to win this race. Barrier 18 is the worry: McDonald needs to find cover from out there. A big player, but too short for us from that gate.
3. Knight’s Choice · 40/1 bet365
Barrier 2 · 56.5kg · J: Robbie Dolan · T: John Symons & Sheila Laxon
Last 10: 6x708x0930 · Career 31: 6-3-3 · Soft 9: 1-1-1
Won this in 2024 at $91 but carries 5kg more now. He was third in the Herbert Power, beaten 0.21 lengths, before finishing 14th in the Caulfield Cup. Barrier 2 gives Dolan the inside run he needs. Will stay, but probably isn’t good enough at this weight.
4. Middle Earth (GB) · 14/1 bet365
Barrier 1 · 56.5kg · J: Mark Zahra · T: Ciaron Maher
Last 10: x891x87898 · Career 26: 6-2-3 · Good 17: 4-1-2 · Soft 7: 2-0-1 · Flemington 6: 1-0-1
Third in last year’s Cup at $26, beaten 4.25 lengths, and he’s drawn the rail. Ninth in the Caulfield Cup and eighth in the Cox Plate were sensible preparation runs. He handles soft ground and will get a perfect trip under Zahra. On our shortlist and just misses out.
5. Vauban (FR) · 60/1 bet365
Barrier 22 · 56.5kg · J: Jordan Childs · T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Last 10: 6506x133x9 · Soft 14: 6-2-3 · 3200m 8: 2-2-1
Very good on soft ground, but at nine he’s past his best. Sixth in last year’s Cup and ninth in the Geelong Cup this time. Barrier 22 doesn’t help. Hard to make a case for him.
6. Enfjaar (IRE) · 22/1 bet365
Barrier 8 · 56kg · J: Ray Dawson · T: Roger Varian
Last 10: x543x381x3 · Soft 2: 2-0-0
Ran a fine third in the Caulfield Cup, beaten a length. He’s two from two on soft and drawn 8. The questions are that he’s never run beyond 2414m and that his rider says he lacks a turn of foot. That suggests stamina, but 3200m is a big step up.
7. Royal Supremacy (IRE) · 70/1 bet365
Barrier 21 · 56kg · J: Ben Allen · T: Ciaron Maher
Last 10: 0x0331x910 · Heavy 2: 2-0-0
Won last year’s Metropolitan and the JRA Cup, but finished 15th in the Caulfield Cup, beaten 17 lengths. That plus barrier 21 makes him hard to back.
8. Wine Dark Sea (GB) · 50/1 bet365
Barrier 23 · 56kg · J: Damian Lane · T: Harry Charlton
Last 10: 162x1151x0 · Soft 1: 0-0-0
Won the Freer Stakes (2671m) at Newbury, then raced wide without cover when 11th in the Caulfield Cup (6.61 lengths). Better than that run, but barrier 23 is a big problem again.
9. Asterix (NZ) · 70/1 bet365
Barrier 6 · 55kg · J: Jye McNeil · T: Chris Waller
Last 10: 11661×5300
Won the Tatt’s Cup on a Soft 6 and was fourth in an Auckland Cup over 3200m. But he finished 12th in the Caulfield Cup and last in the Turnbull, which is poor recent form. Has a nice draw in 6, wears blinkers, and needs a big improvement.
10. Goodie Two Shoes (IRE) · 25/1 bet365
Barrier 19 · 55kg · J: Wayne Lordan · T: Joseph O’Brien
Last 10: 113x2x8210 · Soft 13: 2-1-4 · 3200m 3: 1-1-1
Second in last year’s Cup at $41, beaten 2.75 lengths from gate 20. Won the Group 2 Lillie Langtry under 61kg this summer, then finished last in the Kilternan. She has 3.5kg more than last year, she’s eight (only three eight-year-olds have won the race) and she’s drawn wide again. Still capable of placing at a price.
11. Juja Kibo (IRE) · 10/1 bet365
Barrier 14 · 55kg · J: Sam Clipperton · T: Ciaron Maher
Last 10: 93339×3211 · Career 20: 6-3-6 · Soft 6: 3-0-3 · Heavy 2: 1-0-0
In great form: won the Metropolitan on a Soft 6 by 1.71 lengths, then the Moonee Valley Cup by half a length from barrier 16 under 58kg. He’s 3kg lower here. The doubt is his only run at 3200m, ninth of 14 in the Sydney Cup. Rain helps him. A serious place contender.
12. Hopewell Rock (IRE) · 9/1 bet365
Barrier 15 · 54.5kg · J: Zac Lloyd · T: George Boughey
Last 10: 3229x3612x · Career 10: 3-3-2 · Good 5: 2-0-2 · Soft 3: 0-3-0 · Heavy 2: 1-0-0
Our pick. He won a 2816m handicap at Goodwood in August under 61kg, beating Small Fry by 0.75 lengths. Small Fry went on to finish half a length behind Point Of Law in the Geelong Cup. Then he lost the Ebor on soft by a head under 60.5kg. Now he drops to 54.5kg. He’s run five times on soft or heavy with a win and three seconds. Barrier 15 is workable, and ear muffs (pre-race only) go on for the first time.
13. Onesmoothoperator (USA) · 80/1 bet365
Barrier 13 · 54.5kg · J: Declan Bates · T: Tim Fitzsimmons
Last 10: 0x10x9x090 · Career 51: 6-11-6 · Soft 4: 0-1-0
Twelfth in this in 2024 and 16th last year. First-time blinkers are a change of approach, but his recent form doesn’t give much to work with.
14. Soul Of Spain (IRE) · 30/1 bet365
Barrier 5 · 54.5kg · J: Tommy Berry · T: Chris Waller
Last 10: 4262×68378
Lost the Sydney Cup over 3200m by 0.26 lengths, so stamina isn’t a problem. He was eighth in the Caulfield Cup after moving in the middle of the race. Barrier 5 under Berry should give him a better trip. An each-way outsider for exotics punters.
15. Zahrann (IRE) · 25/1 bet365
Barrier 11 · 54.5kg · J: Ben Melham · T: Ciaron Maher
Last 10: 17x53x4106 · Soft 2: 0-0-0
Won the Naturalism and was sixth in the Caulfield Cup. He wears blinkers for the first time. Stamina for 3200m is unproven, and he hasn’t won in two runs on soft.
16. So You Are · 12/1 bet365
Barrier 7 · 54kg · J: Rachel King · T: Bjorn Baker
Last 10: 7432421111 · Career 28: 8-6-6 · Soft 13: 3-5-1 · Heavy 3: 1-0-1
On a four-race winning streak, including the ATC St Leger (2600m, soft) and the Bendigo Cup. He’s very reliable on rain-affected ground and has a nice draw in 7. He’s never run 3200m, but nothing in his profile says he won’t stay. The leading local chance.
17. Future History (GB) · 60/1 bet365
Barrier 12 · 53.5kg · J: Jamie Melham · T: Gregory Hickman
Last 10: 4x436x3249
Fifteenth in the 2023 Cup. Fourth in the Herbert Power and ninth in the Moonee Valley Cup this time. He’s nine now and looks up against it.
18. James J Braddock (GB) · 18/1 bet365
Barrier 24 · 53.5kg · J: Craig Williams · T: Aidan O’Brien
Last 10: 21x5136x6 · Career 7: 2-1-1
Third in the Epsom Derby, beaten 5.25 lengths, so he has class. But he was sixth in the Irish Derby, has been gelded since, and was only sixth in the Kilternan. Barrier 24 is the worst gate and he’s untested over this trip. Williams is good at getting horses to settle, but it’s a lot to overcome.
19. Kizlyar (IRE) · 40/1 bet365
Barrier 20 · 53.5kg · J: Beau Mertens · T: Aidan O’Brien
Last 10: 93x011x2x0
Got in when Defiantly was scratched. He’s won over more than 4000m at Royal Ascot, so he’ll stay, but he was 11th in the Moonee Valley Cup as the $3.80 favourite. Winkers go on for the first time. Has to bounce back from that run, and from barrier 20.
20. Point Of Law (GB) · 11/2 bet365
Barrier 9 · 53kg · J: Ethan Brown · T: Ciaron Maher
Last 10: 2141×1 · Career 5: 3-1-0 · Good 5: 3-1-0 · never raced on soft or heavy
The favourite and the most progressive horse in the race. He’s a four-year-old entire by Frankel. He won the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy (2615m) at Newmarket and was fourth, beaten 1.55 lengths, over 2846m in the Queen’s Vase. On his Australian debut he won the Geelong Cup under 55kg; he has 53kg here. Barrier 9 is good. But all five of his runs have been on good ground, he’s never run 3200m, and 11/2 doesn’t allow for either. Second in our top three.
21. Strictly Business · 80/1 bet365
Barrier 4 · 53kg · J: Dean Yendall · T: Thomas Carberry
Last 10: 1x5802x000 · Career 11: 2-2-0 · Soft 2: 1-1-0
Won last year’s VRC Oaks and lost the SA Derby by a narrow margin, but her last three runs were 14th, 12th and 16th. A good draw, but not enough form to back her.
22. Mr Monaco (GB) · 22/1 bet365
Barrier 16 · 52.5kg · J: Jabez Johnstone (a) · T: Ciaron Maher
Last 10: x5110x4013
Won the Bart Cummings on heavy by 1.25 lengths and was third in the Moonee Valley Cup, three-quarters of a length behind Juja Kibo. Soft ground suits. But he was 11th in the Sydney Cup over this trip, and no apprentice has ridden the winner since 1983.
23. Zakouma · 25/1 bet365
Barrier 10 · 52kg · J: William Pike · T: Grahame Begg
Last 10: 11171×6650
Won the Andrew Ramsden (2800m) and was fifth in the Herbert Power. His last run was a 1600m race, presumably just to get him fit. A light weight and barrier 10 give him a squeak of a place.
24. Shockletz (NZ) · 9/1 bet365
Barrier 17 · 51kg · J: Harry Coffey (TBC) · T: Ciaron Maher
Last 10: 1×34864162 · Career 20: 7-3-1 · Soft 7: 3-1-0 · Flemington 9: 3-2-0
Bottom weight and very good at Flemington. She won the Archer Stakes, which her sire Shocking also won before his 2009 Cup. She was a 0.46-length second in the Tesio under 58kg and now carries 51kg. She’s never raced beyond 2500m. Harry Coffey had collarbone surgery on Sunday and a decision on his riding is due Monday, with Michael Dee on standby.
Form, records and gear: Racing Australia official field. Race results quoted are from official form. Prices: bet365 UK via racing-odds.com, 14:34 GMT 1 Nov 2026.
Melbourne Cup odds: bet365 prices
| Horse | bet365 | Barrier |
|---|---|---|
| Point Of Law (GB) | 11/2 | 9 |
| Trustyourinstinct (IRE) | 15/2 | 18 |
| Hopewell Rock (IRE) | 9/1 | 15 |
| Shockletz (NZ) | 9/1 | 17 |
| Juja Kibo (IRE) | 10/1 | 14 |
| So You Are | 12/1 | 7 |
| Middle Earth (GB) | 14/1 | 1 |
| James J Braddock (GB) | 18/1 | 24 |
| Sons And Lovers (GB) | 20/1 | 3 |
| Enfjaar (IRE) | 22/1 | 8 |
| Mr Monaco (GB) | 22/1 | 16 |
| Goodie Two Shoes (IRE) | 25/1 | 19 |
| Zahrann (IRE) | 25/1 | 11 |
| Zakouma | 25/1 | 10 |
| Soul Of Spain (IRE) | 30/1 | 5 |
| Knight’s Choice | 40/1 | 2 |
| Kizlyar (IRE) | 40/1 | 20 |
| Wine Dark Sea (GB) | 50/1 | 23 |
| Vauban (FR) | 60/1 | 22 |
| Future History (GB) | 60/1 | 12 |
| Royal Supremacy (IRE) | 70/1 | 21 |
| Asterix (NZ) | 70/1 | 6 |
| Onesmoothoperator (USA) | 80/1 | 13 |
| Strictly Business | 80/1 | 4 |
bet365 UK prices via racing-odds.com, checked 14:34 GMT Sunday 1 November 2026, listed as ante-post. Each-way terms: not confirmed for this market. Check places and fraction on your bet slip before betting (bet365’s standard Australian race rules pay 3 places for 8+ runners on final-field markets). See each-way betting explained.
Melbourne Cup betting tips
Why the favourite isn’t our bet
Point Of Law could be very good. He has only had five races, he won the Geelong Cup well, and he’s well treated at 53kg. But at 11/2 you’re betting he stays an extra 350m beyond anything he’s run and handles soft ground for the first time. If the ground were good, we’d rate him much more highly. If it’s Soft 5–6, we’d rather back proven soft-ground horses at bigger prices.
EACH-WAY
Hopewell Rock | 9/1 · bet365
Our likely winner. At 9/1 that’s an each-way price, so we’re backing him each way rather than win only. His Goodwood and Ebor runs are the strongest form in the race at this level of handicap. He was beaten a head on soft at York under 60.5kg and now gets in off 54.5kg. Soft or heavy ground suits him, barrier 15 should give Zac Lloyd a run just off the pace, and Boughey’s horse is at the age to improve. The concern is the trip: he’s won at 2800m but never run over 3200m.
EACH-WAY
Sons And Lovers | 20/1 · bet365
Our dark horse. He’s run within 4.5 lengths over 3200m in Dubai, won a Group 2 over 2800m on soft and was second under 63.5kg on his latest run. Now he gets one of the best draws in the field. Top weight at 57.5kg is the drawback, but Gold Trip won carrying exactly that in 2022. He’ll be ridden handily from barrier 3 by Browne McMonagle, and winkers may sharpen him up.
Our predicted top three
- Hopewell Rock (9/1). Proven on soft, strong Ebor form, well weighted
- Point Of Law (11/2). The class horse, if he handles the ground
- Sons And Lovers (20/1). Stays, handles soft, good draw
Next best: Juja Kibo, So You Are, Goodie Two Shoes and Middle Earth. If the ground dries to good, give Point Of Law and Trustyourinstinct a much better chance.
Melbourne Cup 2026 FAQ
What time is the Melbourne Cup in the UK?
04:00 GMT on Tuesday 3 November 2026 (3:00pm AEDT at Flemington).
Who is favourite for the Melbourne Cup 2026?
Point Of Law, at 11/2 with bet365 when we checked on Sunday afternoon. Trustyourinstinct is 15/2, and Shockletz and Hopewell Rock are both 9/1.
What are your Melbourne Cup tips?
Hopewell Rock each way at 9/1, and Sons And Lovers each way at 20/1 as our dark horse. Our predicted top three is Hopewell Rock, Point Of Law and Sons And Lovers.
Which barrier is best in the Melbourne Cup?
According to the VRC’s figures from 1958 to 2022, barrier 11 has the most wins (seven). Every barrier from 1 to 24 has produced at least one winner.
What will the track be like?
It was rated Good 4 on Sunday. With rain forecast for Monday, the track manager expects Soft 5 to Soft 6 for Cup day.
How many places are paid each way?
That depends on the bookmaker and the market, and we haven’t confirmed bet365’s terms for this race. Check the places and fraction on your bet slip. Our each-way guide explains how the bet works.
Where can I watch the Melbourne Cup in the UK?
Our Selections
Melbourne Cup 2026 · Flemington · Tue 3 Nov · 04:00 GMT. 18+ · BeGambleAware.org
- Flemington 04:00 · Melbourne CupEACH-WAYHopewell Rock9/1bet365 · 2 pts EW
- Flemington 04:00 · Melbourne CupEACH-WAYSons And Lovers20/1bet365 · 1 pt EW
- Predicted top 3 (no stake)TOP 31 Hopewell Rock · 2 Point Of Law · 3 Sons And Lovers
Prices are bet365 UK quotes taken at 14:34 GMT on Sunday 1 November 2026 and are likely to change. Each-way terms, final scratchings, the track rating and Shockletz’s rider will be confirmed closer to the race. 18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org