The final field is locked in for the 164th running of the race that stops a nation. Comments for every runner are below.
All odds are courtesy of our friends at TopSport, check out their market for the big race by clicking here.
Irish raider set to start favourite in this race for the second consecutive year. On his UK form, he is a class above anything else in the field, but can he bring it? Last year, he couldn’t. If he does, he will just about win.
Pick of the runs in the Caulfield Cup – clearly – but he looks a big risk at the two mile trip. His best chance to run it out strongly was to get cover early and be produced late, but from barrier 21 this seems unlikely. Happy to risk.
Sydney Cup winner in the autumn but failed to fire a shot all Spring. Impossible to have.
Japanese runner that wants every bit of the two miles here. He was disappointing in the Caulfield Cup, but Japanese horses typically want genuinely firm ground and he will get that here. Improvement wouldn’t surprise, but he needs it.
Comes through the Cox Plate which has a good record of producing Melbourne Cup winners, albeit he was well beaten. Won his only start at 2400m but hasn’t been seen at that trip or beyond since, which isn’t a great sign. Happy to risk.
Boom three year old who hasn’t quite gone on with it as an older horse. Comes off an improved effort in the Moonee Valley Cup, but that doesn’t look the right form.
Won his way into the race by taking out the Bart Cummings, but then was woeful in the Moonee Valley Cup. Should lead them into the home straight but he’ll be gone at the 400m.
Good winner of the Metropolitan then was solid in the Caulfield Cup finishing third, albeit beaten six lengths. Ear muffs go on here which is a gear change I’m not in love with, but if that can help him settle better then he is a top four chance.
Was absolutely smashed in the betting before last year’s Cup and looked the winner before being swamped late. Like his stablemate, the trainer has changed the approach this year and his UK form is better than that of the likes of Onesmoothoperator and Sea King. Major player.
There are roughies with much worse chances than him. Returned to form with a good win in the St Leger in Sydney last start and has some 3200m form in his past. Draws to get the run of the race. Strong top ten chance, could run top four without surprising.
Would have been a lovely chance in the 2800m race earlier on the card, but making up the numbers here.
Made a return to form by winning the Moonee Valley Cup but the Kah factor should keep him much shorter than he really should be. Happy to risk.
Looked like the second coming of Makybe Diva when he blitzed the Geelong Cup field and he has to be a strong chance off the back of that. On his UK form though, he wouldn’t get within a mile of Vauban and Sea King was desperately unlucky to beat him by a big margin in the Ebor. Very well found in the market now, but the price is the only knock.
The only runner in the field backing up off Saturday where she ran a cracking race – and that quick back up is a big positive. Has a bit to find on Land Legend and Buckaroo from the Caulfield Cup, but expect her to run a big price. Price looks about right.
Blitzed the Bendigo Cup field just last Wednesday to force his way into the field. His Ebor run back in August was enormous too, being held up and checked for much of the straight before flying when finally clear late. Barrier one isn’t exactly ideal, but if the breaks go his way he can win.
Looked a real staying talent last spring but his form this time around has been lamentable. Has too much to find coming into this.
Comes off a fair run in the Caulfield Cup but realistically he is making up the numbers.
Lining up for his third crack at the race having placed sixth last year, and looks to be peaking at the right time too. Has a relatively high floor – it would be surprising if he didn’t finish in the top ten – but $18 is awfully short for a horse who started $51 and $41 in the last two years.
Won the Victoria Derby two years and since then has been an absolute thief of punters money. Don’t fall into him.
Poor in the Bart Cummings, his final lead up run into this, and even if he was peaking it would be hard to make a strong case.
Raced poorly when given every chance in the Moonee Valley Cup and flat out impossible to have.
Very short here for a horse that has done nothing at his last two runs.
Adelaide mare who would be a popular winner but isn’t going anywhere near well enough.
Veteran Kiwi who will bowl around behind them and not trouble anyone.
Best Bet
It’s a Melbourne Cup with limited chances and happy to put the class runner Vauban on top. Willie Mullins is one of the greatest trainers in the world and he looks to have learned a lot from last year. I’ll also be sending Absurde and Sea King around as winners. Athabascan is the best of the genuine roughies.
- Vauban
- Absurde
- Sea King
- Onesmoothoperator
- Zardozi
