2023 Melbourne Cup winner Without a Fight

2024 Melbourne Cup Guide: What Time, Which Race, Who Will Win?

Lucy Henderson October 31, 2024

2024 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 2024 Melbourne Cup race runs for the 164th time on Tuesday November 5.

There is a staggering $8.56 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 2024 race be run, where and who will win? Read on to find out!

When is the Melbourne Cup Run? Tuesday November 5, 2024

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? 164th

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 2024 Melbourne Cup is the 164th edition of the world’s richest handicap race.

How Much Is the Melbourne Cup Worth? $8.56 million.

The Melbourne Cup is the third richest race run and won in Australia following Sydney’s $20 million The Everest and the $10 million The Golden Eagle for four-year-olds. A total of $8.56 million in prize money is currently on offer in the race, plus trophies. The Melbourne Cup prize money is distributed from 1st to 12th. 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
  • 6th – 12th: $160,000

When is the Melbourne Cup 2024 Field Announced? 

The final acceptances for the Melbourne Cup close at 4:30pm (AEDT) on Saturday November 2, 2024 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? Without A Fight.

Without A Fight was enormous last year for Anthony & Sam Freedman saluting with the 56.5kg topweight to win the Melbourne Cup with Mark Zahra aboard become history’s 12th horse to complete the Caulfield Cup – Melbourne Cup double in the same year. Zahra also rode the 2022 winner Gold Trip and will chase an historic hat-trick aboard Circle Of Fire for Ciaron Maher in the 2024 Melbourne Cup field.

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 2024 Melbourne Cup?

Currently Via Sistina is allocated the 56kg topweight. If Chris Waller’s record-breaking eight-length Cox Plate champion does not run it will be Willie Mullins’ raider Vauban in the number one saddlecloth with 55.5kg.

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. The three three-time Melbourne Cup winning jockey looking to equal the record this year is Kerrin McEvoy (2000, 2016, 2018) on Absurde (Willie Mullins).

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

The Chris Waller-trained import Buckaroo has been towards the top of Melbourne Cup betting for months and has firmed into outright favouritism now to hand Waller a second win. The consistent Fastnet Rock six-year-old won the Underwood by 3.5 lengths before back-to-back seconds in the Turnbull and Caulfield Cup. He is around $5 in all-in Melbourne Cup betting at Ladbrokes.com.au to see out the two miles and salute with Joao Moriera riding.

Where Can I Bet on the Melbourne Cup? Online Bookmakers.

Online bookmakers are the best way to place a bet on the Melbourne Cup race with top odds on offer at Ladbrokes.com.au.

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