The race that holds a country back is here again and millions of Australians and racing fans around the world will be watching with bated breath for the 2024 edition of the Melbourne Cup.
The stayers event is one of the largest in the world and has produced a long list of champions over the years, including Phar Lap, Kingston Town and the invincible feats of Makybe Diva.
Now 24 more Australian and international horses, trainers and jockeys will attempt to etch their names in the history books as punters hope to pick the winner – or land the ultimate trifecta.
How to watch the 2024 Melbourne Cup
Without a Fight became the latest in a long line of champion horses to win the Melbourne Cup when he saluted in 2023 (pictured)
Mark Zahra has won the last two Melbourne Cups and will look for the trifecta at Circle of Fire at the 2024 event
Television
Channel 10 – The Melbourne Cup will be broadcast live on Channel 10, the official free-to-air channel for the race.
Sky Racing – Sky Racing is available via Foxtel and also offers live coverage with comprehensive race day analysis.
Stream
10 Play – Channel 10’s free streaming service, 10 Play, will stream the Melbourne Cup live. This can be accessed on the website and via the 10 Play app on smart devices.
Kayo Sports – Kayo subscribers can stream the Melbourne Cup live via Sky Racing broadcast. Kayo also offers race replays and additional coverage.
TAB App – The TAB App provides a live stream of the Melbourne Cup for account holders, allowing viewers to watch directly from the app.
Foxtel Go / Foxtel Now – Foxtel subscribers can access the Melbourne Cup via Sky Racing on the Foxtel Go app, or via Foxtel Now for online streaming.
Radio
ABC Radio – ABC Radio provides live commentary and coverage of the Melbourne Cup, available nationally.
RSN 927 – The Racing and Sport Network (RSN) broadcasts detailed race day coverage, including live calls from the race.
SEN Track – SEN Track provides commentary and discussions about the Melbourne Cup, accessible via AM radio stations and the SEN app.
What time does the 2024 Melbourne Cup field jump?
Thousands of people are expected to take to Flemington Racecourse for Melbourne Cup day
The 2024 Melbourne Cup will feature a host of talent from around the world, making choosing a winner this year more difficult than ever
Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT): 3:00 PM
Applicable to: New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.
Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST): 2:00 PM
Applies to: Queensland.
Australian Central Summer Time (ACDT): 2:30 p.m
Applies to: South Australia.
Australian Central Standard Time (ACST): 1:30 p.m
Applies to: Northern Territory.
Australian Western Standard Time (AWST): 12:00 noon
Applies to: Western Australia.
The field
Buckaroo had to settle for second place in the Caulfield Cup, but is ready for the Melbourne Cup
Okita Soushi won the Mooney Valley Gold Cup and is another leading contender
Several horses have been withdrawn from the 2024 Melbourne Cup due to veterinary issues:
- Jan Brueghel: The Irish stallion was scratched after scans showed an increased risk of injury, making him unfit to compete.
- Brayden Star and Muramasa: Both horses were withdrawn following assessment by Racing Victoria veterinarians, who deemed them unfit for the race.
- Via Sistina: Initially a favorite, Via Sistina was withdrawn by her owners, Yulong Investments, after her dominant win at Cox Plate, choosing to focus on the Champions Stakes instead.
The final field, including barrier draw, weight to be carried and odds at the time of publication is as follows:
| Horse | Trainer(s) | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Chances |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vauban (FR) | Willie Mullins | William Buick | 11 | 55.5kg | $4.50 |
| Buckaroo (UK) | Chris Waller | Joao Moreira | 21 | 54.5kg | $5 |
| Circle of Fire (UK) | Ciaron Maher and David Eustace | Mark Zahra | 24 | 54.5kg | $15 |
| Warp speed (JPN) | Noboru Takagi | Akira Sugawara | 3 | 54.5kg | $12 |
| Kovalica (NZ) | Chris Waller | Damian Lane | 17 | 53.5kg | $10 |
| Sharp ‘n’ Smart (NZ) | Graeme and Deborah Rogerson | Michael Dee | 15 | 53.5kg | $20 |
| Just good (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott | Jye Mcneil | 13 | 53kg | $25 |
| Country legend (FR) | Chris Waller | Zac Purton | 18 | 53kg | $30 |
| Absurd (FR) | Willie Mullins | Kerrin McEvoy | 7 | 52.5kg | $18 |
| Athabascan (FR) | John O’shea and Tom Charlton | Zac Lloyd | 2 | 52kg | $35 |
| Choice of Knight (AUS) | John Symons and Sheila Laxon | Robbie Dolan | 6 | 51.5kg | $50 |
| Okita Soushi (IRE) | Ciaron Maher and David Eustace | Jamie Kah | 10 | 51 kg | $8 |
| Onesmoothoperator (US) | Brian Ellison | Craig Williams | 12 | 51 kg | $12 |
| Zardozi (AUS) | James Cummings | Andrea Atzeni | 4 | 51 kg | $22 |
| Sea King (UK) | Harry Eustace | Hollie Doyle | 1 | 50.5kg | $15 |
| Brave King (UK) | Chris Waller | Craig Newitt | 22 | 50.5kg | $40 |
| Fancy Man (IRE) | Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald | Ron Stewart | 19 | 50kg | $60 |
| Interpreter (IRE) | Ciaron Maher and David Eustace | Teo Nugent | 14 | 50kg | $25 |
| Manzoice (AUS) | Chris Waller | Declan Bates | 8 | 50kg | $50 |
| Partly cloudy (IRE) | Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young | Karis Teetan | 16 | 50kg | $70 |
| Positivity (NZ) | Andreas Forsman | Winona Costin | 20 | 50kg | $80 |
| Saint George (UK) | Ciaron Maher and David Eustace | Tyler Schiller | 9 | 50kg | $100 |
| The Map (AUS) | Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray | Rachel King | 23 | 50kg | $150 |
| Trust You (NZ) | Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley | Mark du Plessis | 5 | 50kg | $200 |
The weather
It looks to be a perfect race day, with nice conditions and temperatures of up to 25 degrees expected on race day.
There is only a 10 percent chance of rain and even if it did happen, it would only be light showers in the early morning or evening so it wouldn’t affect track conditions.
However, this is Melbourne we are talking about. If there is a late rain shower before the race and you want to change your tips, here are some horses you should consider.
Japanese stayer Warp Speed has a perfect wet track record and would be great value at 26-1.
The Chris Waller-trained Buckaroo is an expert on wet or dry tracks, so it’s a great choice whatever the weather.
Ironically, Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained runner Mostly Cloudy performs best on dry ground. But he probably lacks the class for this important step up.
Expert tips
Robbie Waterhuis
The Waterhouse family are racing royalty and Robbie Waterhouse has a Melbourne Cup feud to watch out for
Veteran bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse has highlighted Circle of Fire as a Melbourne Cup ‘bolter’ worth paying attention to, especially for those looking beyond the top favourites.
Priced around $34, Circle of Fire is an intriguing choice with the ability to handle the Cup’s demanding 3,200-meter distance. Waterhouse believes that despite his longer odds, the horse could outperform some of the more sought-after competitors.
Circle of Fire jumps from the challenging barrier 24, the widest position, which provides obstacles for early positioning. However, the horse’s proven endurance and form as a Group 1 two-mileer make it a viable long-term candidate.
With the last two Melbourne Cup wins under his belt, jockey Mark Zahra brings experience and confidence to the partnership, which Waterhouse sees as a key asset in navigating this high-stakes race.
Ciaron Maher
Ciaron Maher (pictured hugging jockey Jamie Kah after a win) has four runners in the 2024 Melbourne Cup
Trainer Ciaron Maher ranks Okita Soushi as his best competitor at the Melbourne Cup, highlighting the recent Moonee Valley Gold Cup victory, the 51kg lightweight and the favorable barrier 10.
Okita Soushi’s consistency and endurance make him well suited for the demanding race. Interpretation, positioned at barrier 14, brings experience and reliable form, bolstered by a recent performance in the Geelong Cup.
Circle of Fire has potential as a Group 1 two-mileer, but faces the challenge of starting from the widest barrier 24, which requires strategic positioning.
Finally, despite mixed recent form, Saint George showed improvement in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup, taking advantage of barrier 9, giving it the chance to settle comfortably into the pack.
Jim Cassidy
Champion jockey Jim Cassidy knows what it takes to win a Melbourne Cup and has high praise for one of the 2024 favorites
Jim Cassidy, a two-time Melbourne Cup winner, rates Vauban as a strong contender after the horse improved his performance since last year’s performance and received a favorable barrier draw.
Cassidy praised Buckaroo for his class and recent form despite a challenging wide barrier.
Cassidy also acknowledged Circle of Fire’s potential, but is concerned about its broad barrier position.
He also mentioned Saint George, noting recent improvements but also noting that the horse may need a standout performance to compete at the top level.