Tuesday, November 7 at Flemington is the race the stops a nation: the AUS$8.41 million Melbourne Cup (G1)! The race, a two-mile gallop over the turf, has been an Australian tradition since 1861. Its winners have included greats like Phar Lap, Subzero, and Makybe Diva, and it is a de facto holiday for people to come to the track or gather at the pub to see who wins.
This is also one of the best horse race betting events of the year. It’s no wonder: up to 24 horses can run in the race, and it has been almost four decades since a field of less than 20 has run in it. Make sure you don’t miss it: the race happens on Tuesday in Australia, but if you are betting from North America the race happens Monday night, 11:00 p.m. Eastern time or 8:00 p.m. Pacific.
Read on to find out the best horses to bet in the 2023 Melbourne Cup, and the best places to wager online!
2023 Melbourne Cup Contenders
These are the early declarants for the 2023 Melbourne Cup in order of priority, including trainers, jockeys (if announced), and weight assignments:
- Without a Fight (Anthony and Sam Freedman/Mark Zahra) - 56.5kg
- Absurde (Willie Mullins/Zac Purton) - 53kg
- Future History (Ciaron Maher and David Eustace/Hollie Doyle) - 50kg
- Gold Trip (Ciaron Maher and David Eustace/James McDonald) - 58.5kg
- Alenquer (Michael Moroney/Damien Oliver) - 56.5kg
- Breakup (Tatsuya Yoshioka/Kohei Matsuyama) - 55kg
- Vauban (Willie Mullins/Ryan Moore) - 55kg
- Soulcombe (Chris Waller/Joao Moreira) - 53.5kg
- Vow and Declare (Danny O’Brien/Billy Egan) - 53kg
- Right You Are (Ciaron Maher and David Eustace/John Allen) - 53kg
- Magical Lagoon (Chris Waller/Beau Mertens) - 51kg
- Virtuous Circle (Liam Howley/TBA) - 51kg
- Lastotchka (Mick Price and Michael Kent, Jr./Craig Williams) - 51kg
- Cleveland (Kris Lees/Michael Dee) - 52kg
- Sheraz (Chris Waller/TBA) - 51.5kg
- Daqiansweet Junior (Philip Stokes/Daniel Stakhouse) - 51.5kg
- Valiant King (Joseph O’Brien/Zac Lloyd) - 50kg
- Ashrun (Ciaron Maher and David Eustace/Kerrin McEvoy) - 51.5kg
- Okita Soushi (Joseph O’Brien/Dylan Gibbons) - 51.5kg
- Military Mission (Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott/Rachel King) - 51kg
- Serpentine (Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott/Jye McNeil) - 51kg
- More Felons (Chris Waller/Jamie Kah) - 50.5kg
- True Marvel (Matthew Smith/Ben Thompson) - 50kg
- Interpretation (Ciaron Maher and David Eustace/TBA) - 50kg
- Ladies Man (Allan Sharrock/Dean Yendall) - 50kg
- Athabascan (John O’Shea/TBA) - 50kg
- United Nations (Ciaron Maher and David Eustace/TBA) - 50kg
- Kalapour (Kris Lees/TBA) - 50kg
On Saturday the final post draw happens: the field will take its final shape and starting gates will be determined.
Once the field draws, make sure to track the odds for the Melbourne Cup at the leading online betting sites. When you see an overlay on a horse you like, go ahead and place your bet! That’s the advantage of betting online: you can lock in your odds just by wagering! This is better than playing at the track, where odds are not finalized until horses break from the gate.
 |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vauban | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Gold Trip | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Without a Fight | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Soulcombe | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Breakup | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Absurde | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Betting the Melbourne Cup Online
There are many online sportsbooks, and the idea of picking the best one can feel like a lot. This is where our experts come in. They have shared betting site reviews to help make your decision quick and easy. You can’t go wrong: every one of our recommended sites has real Las Vegas odds, trusted payouts, and a smooth user interface.
Make sure to look at the online betting bonuses that each site offers. Each one benefits different kinds of bettors most. Make sure to take a few minutes to read the reviews and find out which deposit bonuses, referral benefits, and horse racing rebates will benefit your betting style the most. This will boost your bankroll by hundreds or even thousands of dollars!
Melbourne Cup Handicapping
Now you know where to bet the race, so it is time to find out who to play. Read on to learn about the key betting horses for the Melbourne Cup:
Melbourne Cup Best Bet
When looking for upside in the Melbourne Cup, look no further than Soulcombe. Though he was only seventh in the Caulfield Cup (G1) last out, that gets him in at a well-weighted 53.5 kg and he should do far better with the extra ground he will get in the Melbourne Cup. With strong 1 ⅝- and 1 ¾-mile form, he looks a real stayer. Furthermore, he is a consistently good runner at Flemington.
Melbourne Cup Favorites
The hot favorite for the Melbourne Cup is Vauban for top Irish staying trainer Willie Mullins. Though he has yet to race in Australia, he is turning heads with his morning training. He has won his last two starts, and given his previous wins in two-mile races Vauban should be able to remain in top form for this.
Although Without a Fight finished only midpack in the Melbourne Cup last year, he should be able to do better this year. He comes into the race hot, beating many of his Melbourne Cup foes in the Caulfield Cup. With back form in staying races in the United Kingdom, he has every chance to show his best over this two-mile trip.
Gold Trip won the Melbourne Cup last year, which means he will probably be bet heavily due to familiarity. Even so, he comes into the race in sharp form: he won the Turnbull (G1) two back and put up solid efforts in the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate (G1). He’ll probably be an underlay on the win end but has every right to find the frame again, especially given his good recent form.
Melbourne Cup Price Picks
Joseph O’Brien has been one of the leading Melbourne Cup trainers lately, with two recent wins in the race. He has a pair of long shots this year, with Valiant King being the better. His first start in Australia was a credible sixth behind Without a Fight in the Caulfield Cup, and he should improve with the extra distance second off the ship. The light 50kg weight assignment helps, too.
Another horse making his second start in Australia is More Felons. Called Scriptwriter in the UK, he did well as a hurdler but also showed the quality to be Group-level on the flat, as shown when he ran second in a 1 ¾-mile Group 3 at York earlier this year. He missed by only ½ length in the Geelong Cup (G3), a good prelude to the Melbourne Cup, and he enjoys an impost of just 50.5kg.
Melbourne Cup Best Bets
You know the field and you have your betting account at the ready. So, it’s time to place your bet for the Melbourne Cup! These are the expert wagering suggestions for the race:
- $20 to win - Soulcombe
- $1 exacta key - Soulcombe with Vauban, Without a Fight, Valiant King
- $0.50 trifecta key - Soulcombe with Vauban, Without a Fight, Valiant King, More Felons
- $0.20 superfecta key - Soulcombe with Vauban, Without a Fight, Valiant King, More Felons, Gold Trip
