Horse Racing

The Melbourne Cup field is made up of the world’s best staying types with both local Australian gallopers and international raiders fighting it out for the richest handicap prize every November.

Held on the first Tuesday of November each year at Melbourne’s famous Flemington Racecourse the Melbourne Cup field features a capacity 24 starters and has no emergencies.

Every spring the Melbourne Cup field of final acceptances is released on the Saturday before Melbourne Cup Day.

That Saturday is Victoria Derby Day and the live announcement of the Melbourne Cup field is made from Flemington directly after the day’s racing action at around 5:30pm (VIC time).

This means that the 2013 Melbourne Cup Final Field will be released on Saturday November 2, 2013.

It is a long process to whittle down all the hopeful horses to reveal the official Melbourne Cup field.

Things start at the beginning of September when the Melbourne Cup nominations are taken, numbers usually exceeding 150 early entries.

First declaration stage narrows down the number of Melbourne Cup horses a month later at the start of October but as much as half.

Second declarations follow about three weeks on at the end of October before the final declaration or acceptance stage on Victoria Derby Day.

Of course betting on the Melbourne Cup field opens at bookies around the country including bookmaker.com.au before even the Melbourne Cup nominations are taken.

Melbourne Cup odds are open nearly all year round with futures betting offering great prices, the favourite paying over $20, for those that want to get in on the action early.

To check out the latest Melbourne Cup betting markets for this year’s showdown head to bookmaker.com.au, the country’s most trusted bookie for Melbourne Cup odds.