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Tuesday is Cup Day and while the $10.2 million two-mile classic steals the show in Melbourne, further north Randwick is host to its own big money feature and the Races.com.au team haver our expert 2026 The Big Dance field preview, tips and best bets on the other race not to miss.
The fifth edition of the lucrative showdown for the country-trained gallopers lights up Melbourne Cup Day in Sydney with another honest field of middle-distance horses taking to the track for the Listed $3 million The Big Dance (1600m).
Sitting top of the latest The Big Dance 2026 odds at $3.90 through Ladbrokes but on the drift is the dual defending champion Gringotts chasing a historic three-peat.
Trainer Ciaron Maher could be in for an absolutely huge Tuesday saddling-up a record seven Melbourne Cup runners, but the stable will also have eyes on their seven-year-old stalwart with Gringotts chasing his first win since completing The Big Dance – The Gong double for the second year running last November.
The gun Per Incanto miler was typically tough in his successful title defence in this race 12 months ago carting 62kg to a decisive victory over Vivy Air, and he’ll lump the same topweight in 2026 with Nash Rawiller continuing associations.
Gringotts got his spring campaign underway in style back in August running out of his skin fresh behind the country’s best, Autumn Glow, to run third in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m).
He’s had two subsequent runs leading up to Tuesday when last (5th) to AG in the 7 Stakes but only two lengths off her in a true blanket finish before a last start seventh under two lengths off Formal Display in the Group 3 Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill when giving away a huge eight kilos to the winner.
This is his race, his track, back to his pet distance and after hitting the line well in his latest, he’ll get every chance again.
The two key dangers currently both on the second line of The Big Dance betting paying $6.50 are the Alan Brown winner Formal Display for Annabel & Rob Archibald and Nathan Doyle‘s early market mover Churchill’s Choice.
Too Darn Hot six-year-old Formal Display won the Alan Brown at a blowout price of 25/1 and has been in ultra-consistent form over the past six months.
He won three on the trot over the autumn in easier company, ran third from a nasty gate in the Listed Scone Cup (1600m) only a length off Hellsing and Churchill’s Choice and then bounced back in the winter to deny God’s Window here.
We’ve seen that form stack-up with God’s Window posting an enormous upset in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap, while Formal Display has also come back in good order.
Jockey Chad Schofield is sure to take advantage from the nice inside gate (2), get up on pace and is another that’ll relish the quick pace.
The money coming for Churchill’s Choice could be justified with the classy mare from Newcastle a proven Group winner who looks set to hit her best form third-up and fit.
She maps beautifully from gate seven with the early speed tipped to be hot, which’ll suit this girl to a tee, especially with Kerrin McEvoy coming aboard in place of Regan Bayliss which looks a big tick.
Fifth at home first-up in the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes, she went up to a mile at this track and trip on The Everest Day in the Group 3 Angst Stakes where it was a tough watch early before she collected herself well to close hard in an improving sixth behind Unleeshing.
With fitness on her side now, she is capable of a huge showing and will be closing hard.
Despite attracting a capacity 20-horse starting line-up, The Big Dance features just one other single-figure fancy with the Bjorn Baker-trained Perfumist ($7).
Another jockey change sees Jason Collet jump aboard the recent Tibbie Stakes winning El Roca mare who is drawn ideally in barrier five.
Things went amiss for her in the Epsom when she ran dead last in a confusing performance, but her last start The Invitation seventh behind Lazzura was better and she looked more like her honest self in that.
The step back up to 1600m now will be key, she’ll relish the Good going, should bounce out from the beautiful gate to hit the lead and could prove hard to run down looking to remain undefeated fourth-up.
Outside the hopes under $10 for the win looking for an upset collect of the $1.5 million The Big Dance winner’s cheque there are a number of genuine, value each-way hopes including the in-form Richard & Will Freedman-trained Magnatear ($11) coming off yet another solid campaign, the widely drawn Fully Lit ($11) from the Waterhouse-Bott yard and the rails-drawn Snitzel four-year-old Matias ($12).
Of those, the standout roughie could be Magnatear, fourth in the Alan Brown at a big price, who brings in some excellent form lines having finished second at a blowout price the run prior behind Skyhook in the Group 2 Theo Marks with the winner of that going on to claim a photo-thriller $10 million Golden Eagle victory last Saturday.
We had a blowout The Big Dance winner back in 2023 with Attractable ($19) and so, for punters looking to tip something a bit juicer to win around that price in 2026 other standout roughies in the mix include Scone Cup winner Hellsing ($19) down in grade off a Group 1 Toorak Handicap run and the Big Dance Wild Card winning Dundeel mare It’s A Knockout ($21).
The Big Dance 2026 is set to run as Randwick Race 5 at 2:20pm (AEDT) on Tuesday.
The Big Dance 2026 Best Bets
Favourite: No. 1 Gringotts
| 1. Gringotts (9) 62kg4×357 | |||
| Last start 7th of 15 in the G3 Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1400m, 1.75 len behind Formal Display carrying 61kg at $8. The race before that ran last in a small field in the G2 7 Stakes at this track on September 19 over 1600m, 2 len behind Autumn Glow with 59kg at $12. Well placed. Won this race the last two year’s, respect from the wide draw. | |||
Each Way Danger: No. 2 Formal Display
| 2. Formal Display (2) 56.5kg31×51 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 5th of 10 in the G3 Bill Ritchie Handicap at this track on September 19 over 1400m, 2.25 len behind General Salute carrying 54.5kg at $8.50. Last start won by a long-neck in the G3 Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1400m defeating Estadio Mestalla carrying 53kg at $26. Profiles nicely. Hard to beat on his latest Group victory. | |||
Best Roughie: No. 3 Magnatear
| 3. Magnatear (8) 55kg31×24 | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming sat on the pace when 2nd of 13 in a G2 Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill on September 12 over 1300m, 1.2 len behind Skyhook carrying 54kg at $26. Second-up 4th of 15 in the G3 Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1400m, 1.2 len behind Formal Display carrying 53.5kg at $26. Hard to fault if at his best. | |||
2026 The Big Dance Same Race Multi Selections
$31 (at time of publish) through Ladbrokes
- Top 2 – No. 1 Gringotts
- Top 3 – No. 2 Formal Display
- Top 4 – No. 3 Magnatear
The Big Dance 2026 Odds
| 1. Gringotts (9) 62kg4×357 | |||
| Last start 7th of 15 in the G3 Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1400m, 1.75 len behind Formal Display carrying 61kg at $8. The race before that ran last in a small field in the G2 7 Stakes at this track on September 19 over 1600m, 2 len behind Autumn Glow with 59kg at $12. Well placed. Won this race the last two year’s, respect from the wide draw. | |||
| 2. Formal Display (2) 56.5kg31×51 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 5th of 10 in the G3 Bill Ritchie Handicap at this track on September 19 over 1400m, 2.25 len behind General Salute carrying 54.5kg at $8.50. Last start won by a long-neck in the G3 Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1400m defeating Estadio Mestalla carrying 53kg at $26. Profiles nicely. Hard to beat on his latest Group victory. | |||
| 3. Magnatear (8) 55kg31×24 | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming sat on the pace when 2nd of 13 in a G2 Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill on September 12 over 1300m, 1.2 len behind Skyhook carrying 54kg at $26. Second-up 4th of 15 in the G3 Alan Brown Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1400m, 1.2 len behind Formal Display carrying 53.5kg at $26. Hard to fault if at his best. | |||
| 4. Bianco Vilano (12) 54.5kg115×7 | |||
| Second run back. First-up after four months 7th of 14 in the LR Weekend Hussler Stakes at Caulfield on October 10 over 1400m, 3.5 len behind Persian Spirit with 57.5kg at $101. Previously second-up ran last of 10 in a Bm78 at Warwick Farm on March 11 over 1600m, on a slow track; 5.5 len behind Fiddlers Green carrying 60kg at $14. Later on. | |||
| 5. Fully Lit (18) 54.5kgx3418 | |||
| Comes off a 31 day let-up. At the latest run led to the turn then faded 8th of 16 in the G1 Epsom Handicap at this track on October 3 over 1600m, on a slow track; 4 len behind God’s Window with 51kg at $21. The run before that won by 1.2 len in the G3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle on September 18 over 1500m defeating I’mintowin with 55.5kg at $5.50. Final 100m is the worry from the wide draw. | |||
| 6. Perfumist (5) 54kg1×107 | |||
| Last start led to the turn then faded 7th of 12 in a G2 The Invitation at this track on October 24 over 1400m, 4 len behind Lazzura with 58kg at $6. The run before that ran last of 16 in the G1 Epsom Handicap at this track on October 3 over 1600m, slow going 16 len behind God’s Window carrying 50kg at $13. Will come out fast and give a ton of cheek. | |||
| 7. Rolling Magic (22) 54kgx1430 | |||
| Most recently ran second last of 15 in a Bm88 at this track on October 17 over 1400m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Cross Tasman carrying 58kg at $71. Before that 3rd of 8 in a Bm100 at Rosehill on August 29 over 1500m, 2.5 len behind Althoff with 52kg at $9.50. Likely to find this out of reach. | |||
| 8. Puntin (24) 54kg24213 | |||
| At the latest run led but faded 3rd of 8 in a Bm88 at Rosehill on October 14 over 1500m, on a slow track; 2.25 len behind Perisher with 56kg at $2.45. The run before that favourite; won by 1.5 len in the Dubbo Cup on September 27 over 1600m defeating Tom Vegas with 54.5kg at $4.20. Looking to others. | |||
| 9. Hellsing (3) 53.5kg11×50 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 5th of 10 in the G3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle on September 18 over 1500m, 5 len behind Fully Lit carrying 58kg at $15. Second run from a spell ran second last of 15 in the G1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield on October 10 over 1600m, 4.5 len behind Lady Shenandoah carrying 54kg at $101. Gets a better set-up for this, each way player. | |||
| 10. Matusalem (21) 53.5kgx6231 | |||
| Returns from a 60-day let-up. Most recently favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a nose in the LR Wyong Gold Cup on September 4 over 2100m defeating Anythink Goes carrying 56kg at $2.50. Before that 3rd of 8 in the G3 Premier’s Cup at this track on August 22 over 2000m, slow going 0.7 len behind Boniface carrying 53.5kg at $8. Can surprise fresh. | |||
| 11. Churchill’s Choice (7) 53kg22×56 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 5th of 14 in the G3 Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle on September 18 over 1400m, 3.5 len behind Perfumist with 57kg at $6. Second run from a spell 6th of 10 in the G3 Angst Stakes at this track on October 17 over 1600m, slow going 2.5 len behind Unleeshing carrying 56kg at $12. Racing well. Caught the eye in two runs back and ready to win in this easier race. | |||
| 12. Cavalry Man (17) 53kg13611 | |||
| Chasing a hat-trick. Most recently won by a long-neck in a Pmac Cup at Port Macquarie on October 9 over 2000m defeating Bear On The Loose carrying 57kg at $4.40. The start before that came from midfield and won by 1.0 len in a Twba Cup at Toowoomba on September 26 over 2000m defeating Felix The Scat carrying 56.5kg at $11. Drops in trip from the sticky gate, others look stronger. | |||
| 13. Mighty Ulysses (20) 53kg80610 | |||
| Comes here off a 31-day let-up. Last start ran last of 17 in a Bm94 at this track on October 3 over 1600m, slow going 29 len behind Unleeshing with 59.5kg at $91. The start before that won by 2.5 len in a Coffs Cup Mbm99 at Coffs Harbour on August 7 over 1600m on a rain affected track defeating Loch Eagle with 55.5kg at $9. Looks tested in this field. | |||
| 14. It’s A Knockout (15) 53kg57531 | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently ran on from midfield and won by 2.25 len in the Big Dance Wild Card at this track on October 17 over 1600m in soft going defeating Matias carrying 52kg at $3.60. The run before that 3rd of 13 in the Dubbo Cup on September 27 over 1600m, 2.5 len behind Puntin carrying 58kg at $13. Hard to fault form and don’t dismiss. | |||
| 15. Tavros (13) 53kg152×0 | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months 12th of 15 in a Bm88 at this track on October 17 over 1400m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Cross Tasman carrying 60kg at $101. Previously second-up 4th of 11 in a Tamw Cup at Tamworth on April 24 over 1400m, 4 len behind Formal Display carrying 54kg at $14. Would have to improve sharply. | |||
| 16. Matias (1) 53kg31×42 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 4th of 10 in the G3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle on September 18 over 1500m, 3.5 len behind Fully Lit carrying 54kg at $17. Last start came from midfield; 2nd of 9 in the Big Dance Wild Card at this track on October 17 over 1600m, slow going 2.25 len behind It’s A Knockout with 53kg at $2.60. Blinkers go on and ready to win. | |||
| 17. Mr Chaplin (11) 53kg31×86 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming raced on the pace before fading 8th of 10 in a Bm88 at Rosehill on September 26 over 1400m, 4 len behind Decorum with 60.5kg at $16. Last start raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 8 in a Bm88 at Rosehill on October 14 over 1500m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Perisher with 61.5kg at $8. Blinkers go on and not to be underestimated. | |||
| 18. Golden Cross (4) 53kg11969 | |||
| At the latest run eased back early on 9th of 12 in a Hcp at Eagle Farm on October 24 over 1600m, in the wet; 10 len behind Brindavan carrying 53kg at $31. The race before that got back early 6th of 8 in a Cl6 at Eagle Farm on October 10 over 1600m, on a slow track; 5.5 len behind Dusty Bay with 56kg at $6.50. Likely to find this out of reach. | |||
| 19. Uzziah (23) 53kg30×38 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 7 in a 5yo+ Bm78 at Randwick Kensington on October 7 over 1250m, slow going 0.9 len behind Super Norwest with 61kg at $6.50. Last start failed to make an impression; ran last of 8 in a Bm78 at Warwick Farm on October 21 over 1400m, 10 len behind Amreekiyah carrying 61kg at $14. Will need to do a bit more. | |||
| 20. Carravilla (16) 53kg23214 | |||
| Most recently raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 7 in a 1Mw at Doomben on October 17 over 1600m, on a slow track; 2 len behind All Kinds Of Folk carrying 59.5kg at $11. Before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a neck in the Lismorecup on September 25 over 1526m on a rain affected track defeating Fukubana carrying 52kg at $4.40. Likely to find this out of reach. | |||
| Dual acceptor. Most recently favourite; won by 1.2 len in the Taree Cup on October 16 over 1600m on a rain affected track defeating Sosino with 55.5kg at $3.60. The race before that favourite; won by 2.25 len in a Tab Fed Open 83 at Canberra on October 9 over 1400m defeating Laurel Hill carrying 60.5kg at $5.50. In career best form and goes into the exotics. | |||
| Dual acceptor. At the latest run won by 0.7 len in a Bm72 at Warwick Farm on October 21 over 1600m defeating Pappa Blue carrying 59.5kg at $61. The run before that raced on the speed throughout before fading ran second last of 9 in a Cg&E Bm72 at Warwick Farm on October 5 over 1600m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Fierceness carrying 60kg at $10. Looking to others this time around. | |||
| Dual acceptor. Most recently 7th of 12 in a Bm72 at Rosehill on October 14 over 1400m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Unhinged carrying 56kg at $26. The start before that came from midfield and scored a big 3.5 len win in a Bath Cup Mbm78 at Bathurst on September 13 over 1800m in soft going defeating Inquiring Minds carrying 52.5kg at $3.90. Looks tested in this field. | |||
| Dual acceptor. At the latest run 6th of 10 in a Prov Bm64 at Kembla Grange on October 24 over 1500m, 3.5 len behind Bondi Blossom with 61kg at $13. The race before that sat behind the speed prior to fading to run last of 7 in a Mid Bm68 at Hawkesbury on October 15 over 1500m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Showmara with 59.5kg at $5. Outclassed. | |||
