2023 Melbourne Cup Guide: What Time, Which Race, Who Will Win?

Race fans are preparing to strap in for the greatest three minutes of sport when the 2023 Melbourne Cup race runs for the 163^rd time on Tuesday November 7.

2023 Lexus Archer Stakes winner Kalapour

Kalapour was the last horse to sneak into the 2023 Melbourne Cup field via a win in Saturday’s Lexus Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart.

There is a staggering $8.41 million on offer for the 24 local and international raiders racing off in the time-honoured classic over the two miles (3200m) at Flemington Racecourse.

So, what time will the Melbourne Cup 2023 race be run, where and who will win? Read on to find out!

When Is the Melbourne Cup Run? Tuesday November 7, 2023

The Melbourne Cup race takes place on the first Tuesday of November every year. 1875 was the first time the race was held on the first Tuesday in November.

When Does the Melbourne Cup Start? 3:00pm (AEDT)

The Melbourne Cup starts at 3:00pm local time in Melbourne (AEDT). Click here to view the official Melbourne Cup start times for your state or territory.

Where Is the Melbourne Cup Held? Flemington Racecourse.

Victoria’s famous Flemington Racecourse is host to the iconic Melbourne Cup race every spring. The area is located next to the Maribyrnong River and was first used for horse racing in March 1840. You may hear Flemington be referred to as ‘Headquarters’.

What Race Number is the Melbourne Cup? Race 7.

The Melbourne Cup always runs as Flemington Race 7 at 3:00pm (AEDT) on the first Tuesday of November and is one of the most watched and celebrated annual sporting events.

How Far Is the Melbourne Cup? 3200m.

The Melbourne Cup distance is 3200m or in imperial terms “two miles”. Two miles is traditional Cup distance around the world. Officially the 3200m distance is just short of two miles (3219m). Up until 1972 the Melbourne Cup was run over 3219m but was reduced 19m to the 3200m (1 mile, 1740 yards) in 1972 with the introduction of the metric system to Australia.

What Edition Is This Year’s Melbourne Cup? 163rd

The time-honoured Melbourne Cup was first contested in 1861 when Archer won. Archer also became the first dual Melbourne Cup winner the following year in 1862. The 2023 Melbourne Cup is the 163rd edition of the world’s richest handicap race.

How Much Is the Melbourne Cup Worth? $8.41 million.

The Melbourne Cup is the second richest race run and won in Australia following Sydney’s $20 million The Everest. A total of $8.41 million in prize money is currently on offer in the race, plus trophies. The Melbourne Cup prize money is distributed from 1^st to 12^th. The Melbourne Cup prize money first hit $8 million in 2019 with the 1985 edition won by the Lloyd Williams-owned What A Nuisance was the first Melbourne Cup race to offer $1 million in stakes.

How Much Does the Melbourne Cup Winner Earn? $4.4 million.

The winning Melbourne Cup horse takes out an incredible $4.4 million first prize. Following the Melbourne Cup first prize the remainder of the prize money is distributed as follows:

2nd: $1.1 million
3rd: $550,000
4th: $350,000
5th: $230,000
6^th – 12^th: $160,000

When Is The Melbourne Cup 2023 Field Announced?

The final acceptances for the Melbourne Cup close at 4:30pm (AEDT) on Saturday November 4, 2023 and the official Melbourne Cup final field and barrier draw is announced following the Victoria Derby Day racing action.

What Horse Holds the Record in the Melbourne Cup? Kingston Rule.

Kingston Rule set the current Melbourne Cup race record winning in a time of 3 minutes 16.3 seconds in 1990.

What Horse Won Last Year’s Melbourne Cup? Gold Trip.

Gold Trip was huge last year for Ciaron Maher & David Eustace saluting with the 57.5kg top-weight to win the Melbourne Cup with Mark Zahra aboard. Zahra has opted to come off as Gold Trip returns back to defend his Melbourne Cup title with James McDonald booked for the ride where, if successful, the horse will become the first multiple winner since the heroic three-peat of the mare Makybe Diva (2003-05). No Melbourne Cup winner has gone back-to-back with different jockeys.

What Type of Race is the Melbourne Cup? Handicap.

The Melbourne Cup is a handicap race. That means the “better” horses in the race with a higher handicap rating (from number of and grade of races won previously and amount of career prize money) carry more weight than those lower down the handicap scale. Handicap races “even out” the chances of the horses in the field. The minimum weight a horse must carry in the Melbourne Cup is 49kg.

What Horse Carries the Top-Weight in the 2023 Melbourne Cup?

The reigning champion Gold Trip will carry this year’s Melbourne Cup top-weight of 58.5kg. The same horse had a kilo less when carting 57.5kg to victory in the 2022 Melbourne Cup results. Think Big for his second success in 1975 was the last Melbourne Cup winner to carry 58.5kg to victory.

Who Are the Most Successful Melbourne Cup Jockeys? Bobbie Lewis and Harry White.

Both Bobbie Lewis (1902, 1915, 1919, 1927) and Harry White (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979) won the Melbourne Cup four times during their riding careers. Seven jockeys have won three editions of the race including one with a 2023 Melbourne Cup ride. The three three-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey looking to equal the record this year is Kerrin McEvoy (2000, 2016, 2018) on Ashrun.

What Horse is the Melbourne Cup Favourite This Year? Vauban.

The Willie Mullins-trained Irish raider Vauban has been a long-time favourite in Melbourne Cup betting this year to win first-up down under and score his first Group 1 success in a flat race. He is a three-time Group 1 hurdle champion and there is plenty of hype on him to hand it to the locals on Tuesday after some brilliant track work at Flemington. He is around $3.60 in all-in Melbourne Cup betting at Ladbrokes.com.au.