The race the stops a nation is here again and millions of Aussies and racing fans around the world will be tuning in with bated breath to watch the 2024 edition of the Melbourne Cup.
The stayers event is one of the biggest in the world and has produced a long list of champions over the years, including the likes of Phar Lap, Kingston Town and the invincible feats of Makybe Diva.
Now 24 more Australian and international horses, trainers and jockeys will be looking to etch their names into the history books while punters will be hoping 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 be looking for the trifecta on Circle of Fire at the 2024 event
Television
Channel 10 – The Melbourne Cup will be broadcast live on Channel 10, which is the official free-to-air broadcaster for the race.
Sky Racing – Available via Foxtel, Sky Racing also provides live coverage with comprehensive race-day analysis.
Streaming
10 Play – Channel 10’s free streaming service, 10 Play, will stream the Melbourne Cup live. This is accessible on the website and through the 10 Play app on smart devices.
Kayo Sports – Subscribers to Kayo can stream the Melbourne Cup live through Sky Racing’s 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 through Foxtel Now for online streaming.
Radio
ABC Radio – ABC Radio provides live commentary and coverage of the Melbourne Cup, available nationwide.
RSN 927 – The Racing and Sport Network (RSN) broadcasts detailed race-day coverage, including live calls of the race.
SEN Track – SEN Track offers Melbourne Cup commentary and discussions, accessible through AM radio stations and the SEN app.
What time does the 2024 Melbourne Cup field jump?
Thousands are expected to cram into Flemington Racecourse for Melbourne Cup day
The 2024 Melbourne Cup features a host of talent from around the world, making picking a winner this year harder than ever
Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT): 3PM
Applies to: New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory.
Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST): 2PM
Applies to: Queensland.
Australian Central Daylight Time (ACDT): 2:30PM
Applies to: South Australia.
Australian Central Standard Time (ACST): 1:30PM
Applies to: Northern Territory.
Australian Western Standard Time (AWST): 12PM
Applies to: Western Australia.
The field
Buckaroo had to settle for second in the Caulfield Cup, but is primed for the Melbourne Cup
Okita Soushi took out the Mooney Valley Gold Cup and is another leading contender
Several horses have been withdrawn from the 2024 Melbourne Cup due to veterinary concerns:
- Jan Brueghel: The Irish stallion was scratched after scans indicated a heightened risk of injury, rendering him unsuitable to compete.
- Brayden Star and Muramasa: Both horses were withdrawn following Racing Victoria veterinarians’ assessments deeming them unfit for the race.
- Via Sistina: Initially a favourite, Via Sistina was withdrawn by her owners, Yulong Investments, after her dominant Cox Plate victory, opting to target 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 | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 & 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 & Deborah Rogerson | Michael Dee | 15 | 53.5kg | $20 |
| Just Fine (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Jye Mcneil | 13 | 53kg | $25 |
| Land Legend (FR) | Chris Waller | Zac Purton | 18 | 53kg | $30 |
| Absurde (FR) | Willie Mullins | Kerrin Mcevoy | 7 | 52.5kg | $18 |
| Athabascan (FR) | John O’shea & Tom Charlton | Zac Lloyd | 2 | 52kg | $35 |
| Knight’s Choice (AUS) | John Symons & Sheila Laxon | Robbie Dolan | 6 | 51.5kg | $50 |
| Okita Soushi (IRE) | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Jamie Kah | 10 | 51kg | $8 |
| Onesmoothoperator (USA) | Brian Ellison | Craig Williams | 12 | 51kg | $12 |
| Zardozi (AUS) | James Cummings | Andrea Atzeni | 4 | 51kg | $22 |
| Sea King (UK) | Harry Eustace | Hollie Doyle | 1 | 50.5kg | $15 |
| Valiant King (UK) | Chris Waller | Craig Newitt | 22 | 50.5kg | $40 |
| Fancy Man (IRE) | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Ron Stewart | 19 | 50kg | $60 |
| Interpretation (IRE) | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Teo Nugent | 14 | 50kg | $25 |
| Manzoice (AUS) | Chris Waller | Declan Bates | 8 | 50kg | $50 |
| Mostly Cloudy (IRE) | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Karis Teetan | 16 | 50kg | $70 |
| Positivity (NZ) | Andrew Forsman | Winona Costin | 20 | 50kg | $80 |
| Saint George (UK) | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Tyler Schiller | 9 | 50kg | $100 |
| The Map (AUS) | Dan Clarken & Oopy Macgillivray | Rachel King | 23 | 50kg | $150 |
| Trust in You (NZ) | Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley | Mark Du Plessis | 5 | 50kg | $200 |
The weather
It looks to be a perfect day for racing, with fine conditions and temperatures of up to 25 degrees expected on race day.
There is just a 10 per cent chance of rain and even if that eventuates, it would only be light showers in the early morning or evening so they would not impact the track conditions.
However, this is Melbourne we are talking about. If there is a late downpour before the race and you want to change your tips, here are some of the horses you should consider.
Japanese stayer Warp Speed has a perfect record on wet tracks and would present great value at 26-1.
The Chris Waller-trained Buckaroo is expert on wet or dry tracks so it a great selection no matter the weather.
Ironically, the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained runner Mostly Cloudy performs best on dry ground. However he probably lacks the class for this significant step up.
Expert tips
Robbie Waterhouse
The Waterhouse family is racing royalty and Robbie Waterhouse has a Melbourne Cup roughie you should pay attention to
Veteran bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse has highlighted Circle of Fire as a Melbourne Cup ‘bolter’ worth attention, particularly for those looking beyond the top favourites.
Circle of Fire, priced around $34, is an intriguing choice with the capability to handle the Cup’s demanding 3200m distance. Waterhouse believes that, despite its longer odds, the horse could outperform some of the more fancied competitors.
Circle of Fire will jump from the challenging barrier 24, the widest position, which presents obstacles for early positioning. However, the horse’s proven stamina and form as a Group 1 two-miler make it a viable contender in the long stretch.
With the last two Melbourne Cup wins under his belt, jockey Mark Zahra brings experience and confidence to the partnership, which Waterhouse views 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 top Melbourne Cup contender, highlighting its recent Moonee Valley Gold Cup win, lightweight 51kg, and favourable barrier 10.
Okita Soushi’s consistency and stamina make it well-suited for the demanding race. Interpretation, positioned with barrier 14, brings experience and reliable form, solidified by a recent performance in the Geelong Cup.
Circle of Fire holds potential as a Group 1 two-miler but faces the challenge of starting from the widest barrier 24, requiring strategic positioning.
Lastly, Saint George, despite mixed recent form, showed improvement in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup and benefits from barrier 9, giving it a chance to settle comfortably in 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 favourites
Jim Cassidy, a two-time Melbourne Cup-winning jockey, rates Vauban as a strong contender, after the horse improved its performances since last year’s performance and got a favourable barrier draw.
Cassidy praised Buckaroo for its class and recent form, despite a challenging wide barrier.
Cassidy also acknowledged Circle of Fire’s potential but has concerns over its wide barrier position.
He also mentioned Saint George, noting recent improvements but indicating the horse may need a standout performance to compete at the top level.
