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The countdown to the Melbourne Cup race heats up on Saturday with Flemington host to a ballot-exemption ride into the big one, and Races.com.au are here with our insider 2026 The Bart Cummings tips, field preview and latest betting odds on the all-important Group 3.
Turnbull Stakes Day features a host of key Melbourne spring races including the Group 3 $350,000 The Bart Cummings (2520m) which sees a bumper crop of stayers chasing a free ride into the coveted 24-horse Melbourne Cup field on November 3.
While no horse has done the double since Almandin (2016), there’s always plenty of anticipation around The Bart Cummings results and this year is no different.
Currently markets at Ladbrokes are led by the Chris Waller-trained topweight Wootton Verni who has firmed from $8.50 into six with the previous favourite, Aethelwulf, withdrawn in favour of sticking in Sydney for the Group 2 The Metropolitan (2400m).
He may be giving the weight away to his rivals with 59kg on his back, but the French-bred six-year-old presents rock hard fit fourth-up and showed plenty of fight for his close fifth last time out only 1.5 lengths off Zahrann in the Group 3 Naturalism.
Untested at Flemington and over the trip, he looks like he’ll see out the distance based on his latest victory in the Group 2 Neville Sellwood (2000m) back in March which he won by nearly three lengths on a Soft (7) Rosehill track.
His form is better than it reads on paper, he’s game and proven in the wet so the likely Heavy Flemington course works to his advantage on Saturday making this $101 Melbourne Cup shot a genuine chance to salute for the punters.
It’s a wide-open Bart Cummings field and betting affair this season with a host of other runners all battling for market share including the well-supported Danny O’Brien-trained mare Litzdeel ($6.50).
O’Brien knows what it takes to train a Melbourne Cup winner having done so with Vow And Declare back in 2019, and this dour daughter of Dundeel can certainly stake her claims for a shot at the two-mile classic starting this weekend.
She has winning form up to 2800m so will relish the distance, has a great record at Flemington (5:1-3-0) and brings in some quality form lines from this prep already.
Two back she was second to the consistent grey Saint George at Caulfield over the 2000m before a last start fifth to Shockletz in the Group 3 Lexus Archer Stakes (2500m) here giving weight away to the winner.
Dropping back from 58.5kg in that to just 54kg this weekend is huge, giving her every chance to fly home late and run in the money.
A logjam of next best follow in The Bart Cummings 2026 odds including Ciaron Maher‘s early market mover Piggyback ($7) who scratched out of The Metrop field in favour of this, her ultra-consistent stablemate Jennivamoose ($7) coming off a trio of third placings including in the Lexus Archer and last start runner-up in that same key lead-up Think Giant ($7).
Looking further down the markets at the double-figure fancies there’s a number that could win without surprise including the widely drawn Campaldino ($11) from the Waterhouse/Bott yard, the Waller-trained comeback galloper Soulcombe ($11) who was runner-up in the 2023 Melbourne Cup before spending over two years on the sidelines and Mr Monaco ($11).
Campaldino faded late in the Naturalism to run 12th but is a proven two-mile performer in last year’s Brisbane Cup so gets the chance to outstay them up in trip now.
He’s also versatile on all going having won Brisbane’s Group 3 Premiers Cup on Heavy going before his 3200m victory on Good ground, so where a few others could struggle this weekend at HQ, he’ll get through it.
Just longer at $13 and shaping up as a terrific exotics inclusion for The Bart Cummings bets this year meanwhile is the Dan O’Sullivan-trained Berkeley Square.
With outstanding form in the wet and ability in the past at Flemington, the Territories seven-year-old ticks a few boxes to improve on his Naturalism 10th and has carted big weights to victory here not long ago.
The Bart Cummings 2026 is scheduled as Flemington Race 7 at 3:50pm (AEST) on Saturday’s 10-race card.
2026 The Bart Cummings Tips
Favourite: No. 1 Wootton Verni
| 1. Wootton Verni (5) J: Jye Mcneil 59kg 6×805 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Most recently 5th of 16 in the G3 Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 2000m, 1.5 len behind Zahrann carrying 58kg at $11. The run before that 10th of 16 in a LR Heatherlie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1700m, slow going 7 len behind Kingswood with 60.5kg at $31. Going well and is ready to peak on preferred ground. | |||
Best Bet: No. 11 Litzdeel
| 11. Litzdeel (10) J: Daniel Stackhouse 54kg 5×425 T: Danny O’brien | |||
| At the latest run tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 11 in the G3 Archer Stakes at this track on September 12 over 2500m, 4 len behind Shockletz with 58.5kg at $3.50. The run before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 15 in a Qlty at Caulfield on August 29 over 2000m, slow going 1.3 len behind Saint George carrying 55.5kg at $8.50. Drops in weight and can give a sight. | |||
Best Roughie: No. 2 Berkeley Square
| 2. Berkeley Square (8) J: Declan Bates 58.5kg 6×560 T: Dan O’sullivan | |||
| Last start raced on the pace before fading 10th of 16 in the G3 Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 2000m, 2.75 len behind Zahrann carrying 58kg at $61. The race before that 6th of 15 in a Qlty at Caulfield on August 29 over 2000m, slow going 5 len behind Saint George carrying 62kg at $41. Ticking along okay but still risking. | |||
2026 The Bart Cummings Same Race Multi Selections
$20 (at time of publish) through Ladbrokes
- Top 4 – No. 1 Wootton Verni
- Top 2 – No. 11 Litzdeel
- Top 6 – No. 2 Berkeley Square
Latest The Bart Cummings 2026 Odds
The Bart Cummings 2026 Odds
| 1. Wootton Verni (5) J: Jye Mcneil 59kg 6×805 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Most recently 5th of 16 in the G3 Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 2000m, 1.5 len behind Zahrann carrying 58kg at $11. The run before that 10th of 16 in a LR Heatherlie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1700m, slow going 7 len behind Kingswood with 60.5kg at $31. Going well and is ready to peak on preferred ground. | |||
| 2. Berkeley Square (8) J: Declan Bates 58.5kg 6×560 T: Dan O’sullivan | |||
| Last start raced on the pace before fading 10th of 16 in the G3 Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 2000m, 2.75 len behind Zahrann carrying 58kg at $61. The race before that 6th of 15 in a Qlty at Caulfield on August 29 over 2000m, slow going 5 len behind Saint George carrying 62kg at $41. Ticking along okay but still risking. | |||
| 3. Campaldino (18) J: Jordan Childs 58kg 72×90 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming ran last of 9 in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick on September 5 over 1600m, 4 len behind Lindermann carrying 59kg at $71. Second run from a spell sat on the speed throughout before fading 12th of 16 in the G3 Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 2000m, 4 len behind Zahrann carrying 57.5kg at $26. Bit flat last time but should be ready to peak and best is good enough. | |||
| 4. Onesmoothoperator (4) J: Mark Zahra 58kg 0x9x0 T: Tim Fitzsimmons | |||
| Having second run back today. Last outing 13th of 16 in the G3 Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 2000m, 4.5 len behind Zahrann carrying 57kg at $71. At only start last preparation ran second last of 10 in the G2 Blamey Stakes at this track on February 28 over 1600m, 7 len behind Birdman carrying 58kg at $26. See again. | |||
| 5. Soulcombe (14) J: Damian Lane 57kg 72×00 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 14th of 16 in a LR Heatherlie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1700m, slow going 24 len behind Kingswood with 59.5kg at $31. Last start 11th of 16 in the G3 Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 2000m, 2.75 len behind Zahrann carrying 56kg at $101. Better last time but still see again. | |||
| 6. Okita Soushi (17) J: Billy Egan 56.5kg x0x00 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming ran last of 16 in a LR Heatherlie Stakes at Caulfield on August 29 over 1700m, on a slow track; 28 len behind Kingswood carrying 58.5kg at $201. Second run from a spell ran second last of 16 in the G3 Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 over 2000m, 10 len behind Zahrann carrying 56kg at $151. Can’t have. | |||
| 8. Valiant King (6) J: Ethan Brown 55.5kg 70×00 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming ran last of 11 in the LR Hawkesbury Rowley Mile on August 20 over 1600m, slow going 7 len behind Narbold with 57.5kg at $31. Second-up 10th of 14 in the G2 Kingston Town Stakes at Randwick on September 19 over 2000m, 5.5 len behind The Euphrates carrying 56kg at $101. Should improve but needs to and ground a worry. | |||
| 10. Piggyback (3) J: Michael Dee 54kg 6×579 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Dual acceptor. Most recently 9th of 14 in the G2 Kingston Town Stakes at Randwick on September 19 over 2000m, 4 len behind The Euphrates with 54.5kg at $12. The race before that 7th of 9 in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick on September 5 over 1600m, 3 len behind Lindermann carrying 57kg at $31. Bit disappointing last time but had been tracking well prior. | |||
| 11. Litzdeel (10) J: Daniel Stackhouse 54kg 5×425 T: Danny O’brien | |||
| At the latest run tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 11 in the G3 Archer Stakes at this track on September 12 over 2500m, 4 len behind Shockletz with 58.5kg at $3.50. The run before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 15 in a Qlty at Caulfield on August 29 over 2000m, slow going 1.3 len behind Saint George carrying 55.5kg at $8.50. Drops in weight and can give a sight. | |||
| 12. Mr Monaco (13) J: Jabez Johnstone 54kg 10×40 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Dual acceptor. Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up 4th of 11 in the LR Hawkesbury Rowley Mile on August 20 over 1600m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind Narbold with 56kg at $26. Second-up ran second last of 14 in the G2 Kingston Town Stakes at Randwick on September 19 over 2000m, 7 len behind The Euphrates carrying 56kg at $31. Needs to lift. | |||
| 13. Newlook (11) J: Craig Newitt 54kg 74×90 T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming ran last of 9 in a So You Think at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1500m, on a slow track; 13 len behind Evaporate carrying 59kg at $61. Last start ran last of 13 in the G3 JRA Cup at Caulfield on September 27 over 2000m, 14 len behind Royal Supremacy with 55kg at $101. Will need to lift. | |||
| 14. Jennivamoose (15) J: Harry Coffey 54kg 4×333 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run 3rd of 11 in the G3 Archer Stakes at this track on September 12 over 2500m, 3.5 len behind Shockletz with 56.5kg at $6.50. The run before that took up a position near the tail 3rd of 15 in a Qlty at Caulfield on August 29 over 2000m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind Saint George with 54kg at $21. Going well and will be running on strongly. | |||
| 15. Highland Bling (9) J: Lachlan Neindorf 54kg 307×0 T: Phillip & Tommy Stokes | |||
| Second run back. First-up after three months ran second last of 15 in a Hcp at this track on September 12 over 1700m, 10 len behind St Lawrence carrying 56kg at $81. Previously second-up made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 15 in the G3 Lord Reims Stakes at Morphettville on February 21 over 2600m, nose behind Eventually with 56kg at $5. See again. | |||
| 16. Zarir (1) J: Beau Mertens 54kg 50×00 T: Julius Sandhu | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 13th of 15 in a Hcp at this track on September 12 over 1700m, 9 len behind St Lawrence with 57.5kg at $151. Second run from a spell ran second last of 11 in the LR RM Ansett Classic at Mornington on September 26 over 2400m, on a slow track; 12 len behind Hurry Curry with 60kg at $61. Not among the chances. | |||
| 17. Think Giant (7) J: Jamie Melham 54kg x7442 T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Most recently 2nd of 11 in the G3 Archer Stakes at this track on September 12 over 2500m, 2.25 len behind Shockletz carrying 54kg at $9. Before that 4th of 10 in a Hcp at Sandown-Hillside on August 22 over 2400m, in the wet; 4 len behind Nearco Frod with 53kg at $3.90. Going well but doesn’t want soft ground at all. | |||
| 18. Tajanis (2) J: Jett Stanley 54kg 73058 T: Charlotte Littlefield | |||
| Last start 8th of 11 in the G3 Archer Stakes at this track on September 12 over 2500m, 8 len behind Shockletz with 54kg at $41. The start before that 5th of 10 in a Qlty at this track on July 18 over 2800m, slow going neck behind Bold Soul with 56kg at $12. Not going well enough. | |||
| 19. Beach Pad (12) J: William Pike 54kg 33943 T: Shane Jackson | |||
| At the latest run 3rd of 11 in the LR RM Ansett Classic at Mornington on September 26 over 2400m, slow going 0.8 len behind Hurry Curry carrying 54kg at $7.50. The start before that 4th of 11 in the G3 Archer Stakes at this track on September 12 over 2500m, 4 len behind Shockletz carrying 54kg at $101. Looks tested against this line-up. | |||
| 20. Suffolk Star (16) J: Unknown 54kg 114×7 T: Paul Preusker | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months got back early 7th of 11 in the G3 Archer Stakes at this track on September 12 over 2500m, 6 len behind Shockletz carrying 54kg at $41. Previously second-up won by 5 len in a Bm70 at Sandown-Hillside on March 11 over 3000m defeating Balinor carrying 57.5kg at $3.60. Outclassed. | |||
| 7. Juja Kibo (10) Scratched: | |||
| 9. Aethelwulf (8) Scratched: | |||
