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Melbourne Cup Field News
- Melbourne Cup 2026 Betting: Will the Favourite Point Of Law Win for the Cup Day Punters?
- Melbourne Cup 2026 Tips & Best Bets on The Cup
- All Melbourne Cup Horses In 2026 Field: Pros & Cons
- Melbourne Cup 2026 Horses Form: Two Words on Each Runner
- Melbourne Cup 2026 Betting Odds Update: Point Of Law Heads Market as So You Are, Trustyourinstinct and Shockletz Attract Big Support
2026 Melbourne Cup Results
The 2026 Melbourne Cup results will be known when the race runs on Tuesday November 3, 2026.
- #20 Point Of Law
- #15 Zahrann
- #11 Juja Kibo
Winning Margin: 3.75 lengths
Winning Time: 3:21.88
Winning Barrier: 8
The 2026 Melbourne Cup results produced a race domination for trainer Ciaron Maher, who saddled the trifecta in the 166th running of Australia’s greatest race. Geelong Cup winner Point Of Law ($7F) continued his meteoric rise with a stunning victory under Ethan Brown, becoming the most lightly raced Melbourne Cup winner in history at just his sixth career start. The progressive son of Frankel stormed home to defeat stablemates Zahrann and Juja Kibo, while Irish raider Sons And Lovers finished fourth. The victory also completed the coveted Geelong Cup-Melbourne Cup double, the first since Dunaden in 2011, and delivered Maher his second Melbourne Cup triumph following Gold Trip’s success in 2022.
Click here for the full story.
2026 Melbourne Cup Race Replay
The Melbourne Cup field is where months of lead-up races, ballot exemptions, international campaigns, and spring carnival form all come together for the race that stops a nation. Each year, the official Melbourne Cup final field features a maximum of 24 runners, bringing together the world’s best stayers, elite international raiders, proven Group 1 performers, and emerging Cups contenders to compete for Australia’s richest and most prestigious handicap over 3200 metres at Flemington. As the race approaches, the Melbourne Cup 2026 field remains one of the most closely watched aspects of the spring, with order of entry updates, penalties, ballot exemptions, jockey bookings, and final acceptances all playing a crucial role in determining which horses secure a coveted place in the starting line-up. On this page, you’ll find the latest Melbourne Cup field, including every runner, weight, jockey, trainer, barrier, and key form reference, as well as updates on the Melbourne Cup final field, scratchings, market movers, and the leading contenders vying for glory in Australia’s greatest race.
Bet on the Melbourne Cup 2026 Field
To bet on the potential runners in the 2026 Melbourne Cup field, check out the latest Melbourne Cup 2026 odds from Ladbrokes below.
Melbourne Cup 2026 Form Guide: Runner-by-Runner Analysis & Predictions
Melbourne Cup 2026 Horses Form: Two Words on Each Runner
Melbourne Cup 2026 Results
| 20. Point Of Law (9) 53kg141×1 | |||
| 15. Zahrann (11) 54.5kgx4106 | |||
| 11. Juja Kibo (14) 55kgx3211 | |||
| 1. Sons And Lovers (3) 57.5kg44512 | |||
| 7. Royal Supremacy (21) 56kg1×910 | |||
| 24. Shockletz (17) 51kg64162 | |||
| 18. James J Braddock (24) 53.5kg136×6 | |||
| 16. So You Are (7) 54kg21111 | |||
| 12. Hopewell Rock (15) 54.5kg3612x | |||
| 4. Middle Earth (1) 56.5kg87898 | |||
| 2. Trustyourinstinct (18) 57kg21214 | |||
| 3. Knight’s Choice (2) 56.5kgx0930 | |||
| 14. Soul Of Spain (5) 54.5kg68378 | |||
| 23. Zakouma (10) 52kgx6650 | |||
| 6. Enfjaar (8) 56kg381×3 | |||
| 19. Kizlyar (20) 53.5kg1x2x0 | |||
| 22. Mr Monaco (16) 52.5kgx4013 | |||
| 21. Strictly Business (4) 53kg2×000 | |||
| 8. Wine Dark Sea (23) 56kg151×0 | |||
| 17. Future History (12) 53.5kgx3249 | |||
| 13. Onesmoothoperator (13) 54.5kg9×090 | |||
| 10. Goodie Two Shoes (19) 55kgx8210 | |||
| 5. Vauban (22) 56.5kg133×9 | |||
| 9. Asterix (6)SCRATCHED: | |||
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. The live announcement of the Melbourne Cup field is made from Flemington at around 6:00pm (local time), with the official Melbourne Cup final acceptances closing to connections at 4:30pm (AEDT) after the action of Victoria Derby Day.
2026 Melbourne Cup Field
The Melbourne Cup 2026 Field & Barriers will be published below as soon as the final 24 Melbourne Cup horses are confirmed by Racing Victoria on the Saturday prior to Melbourne Cup Day – Saturday October 31, 2026.
The official Melbourne Cup 2026 Field and Confirmed Barriers have been released with Ciaron Maher’s impressive Ladbrokes Geelong Cup winner Point Of Law drawing ideally in gate nine with the lightly raced four-year-old current co-favourite with Joseph O’Brien’s well-backed Irish raider Trustyourinstinct who drew wider out in gate 18 for jockey James McDonald.
Latest Melbourne Cup 2026 Field Updates & News:
- No. 9 Asterix (6) an official late scratching leaving 23 runners to contest the Cup
- No. 12 Hopewell Rock (14) elevated to outright favourite to win
- Harry Coffey cleared to ride No. 24 Shockletz, Michael Dee loses ride on No. 21. Strictly Business
Click here to read more on the 24-horse Melbourne Cup 2026 final field.
Click here for the full Melbourne Cup 2026 barrier draw breakdown.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Sons And Lovers
J: Dylan Browne Mcmonagle
T: Joseph O’brien |
144512 | G | 3 | 57.5kg | |
|
2. Trustyourinstinct
J: James McDonald
T: Joseph O’brien |
721214 | G | 18 | 57kg | |
|
3. Knight’s Choice
J: Robbie Dolan
T: J G Symons & S Laxon |
8×0930 | G | 2 | 56.5kg | |
|
4. Middle Earth
J: Mark Zahra
T: Ciaron Maher |
x87898 | G | 1 | 56.5kg | |
|
5. Vauban
J: Jordan Childs
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
x133x9 | G | 22 | 56.5kg | |
|
6. Enfjaar
J: Ray Dawson
T: Roger Varian |
x381x3 | G | 8 | 56kg | |
|
7. Royal Supremacy
J: Ben Allen
T: Ciaron Maher |
31×910 | G | 21 | 56kg | |
|
8. Wine Dark Sea
J: Damian Lane
T: Harry Charlton |
1151×0 | G | 23 | 56kg | |
| 9. Asterix (6) Scratched: | |||||
|
10. Goodie Two Shoes
J: Wayne Lordan
T: Joseph O’brien |
2×8210 | M | 19 | 55kg | |
|
11. Juja Kibo
J: Sam Clipperton
T: Ciaron Maher |
9×3211 | G | 14 | 55kg | |
|
12. Hopewell Rock
J: Zac Lloyd
T: George Boughey |
x3612x | G | 15 | 54.5kg | |
|
13. Onesmoothoperator
J: Declan Bates
T: Tim Fitzsimmons |
x9x090 | G | 13 | 54.5kg | |
|
14. Soul Of Spain
J: Tommy Berry
T: Chris Waller |
x68378 | G | 5 | 54.5kg | |
|
15. Zahrann
J: Ben Melham
T: Ciaron Maher |
3×4106 | H | 11 | 54.5kg | |
|
16. So You Are
J: Rachel King
T: Bjorn Baker |
421111 | G | 7 | 54kg | |
|
17. Future History
J: Jamie Melham
T: Gregory Hickman |
6×3249 | G | 12 | 53.5kg | |
|
18. James J Braddock
J: Craig Williams
T: Joseph O’brien |
5136×6 | G | 24 | 53.5kg | |
|
19. Kizlyar
J: Beau Mertens
T: Joseph O’brien |
11x2x0 | G | 20 | 53.5kg | |
|
20. Point Of Law
J: Ethan Brown
T: Ciaron Maher |
2141×1 | C | 9 | 53kg | |
|
21. Strictly Business
J: Dean Yendall
T: Thomas Carberry |
02×000 | M | 4 | 53kg | |
|
22. Mr Monaco
J: Jabez Johnstone
T: Ciaron Maher |
0x4013 | G | 16 | 52.5kg | |
|
23. Zakouma
J: William Pike
T: Grahame Begg |
1×6650 | G | 10 | 52kg | |
|
24. Shockletz
J: Harry Coffey
T: Ciaron Maher |
864162 | M | 17 | 51kg | |
Key 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup Field & Acceptance Dates
| Entry & Acceptance Stages | Date |
|---|---|
| Nominations/Entries | 12:00pm Tuesday 1 September |
| Late Nominations | 12:00pm Tuesday 8 September |
| Weights Released | 12:00pm Thursday 17 September |
| First Declarations | 12:00pm Tuesday 29 September |
| Second Declarations | 12:00pm Tuesday 13 October |
| Third Declarations | 10:00am Monday 26 October |
| Final/Fourth Declarations | 4:30pm Saturday 31 October |
Melbourne Cup 2026 Acceptance Dates
- 2026 Melbourne Cup Nominations: Close on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 @ 12:00pm (Melbourne time)
- 2026 Melbourne Cup Late Entries: Close on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 @ 12:00pm (Melbourne time).
- 2026 Melbourne Cup First Declarations: Close on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 @ 12:00pm (Melbourne time).
- 2026 Melbourne Cup Handicaps: Weights are declared on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
- 2026 Melbourne Cup Second Declarations: Close on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 @ 12:00pm.
- 2026 Melbourne Cup Third Declarations: Close on Monday, October 26, 2026 @ 10:00pm (Melbourne time).
- 2026 Melbourne Cup Final Field: Announced Saturday October 31, 2026 @ 4:30pm (Melbourne time) on Victoria Derby Day.
- 2026 Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw: Takes place on Saturday, October 31, 2026 @ 6:30pm (Melbourne time) following the Derby Day racing.
2026 Melbourne Cup News & Field Updates
Stay tuned for the breaking news on the horses and jockeys that are in and out of the Melbourne Cup 2026 field this spring.
2026 Melbourne Cup Jockeys
The confirmed 2026 Melbourne Cup jockeys will be updated below as connections lock in a rider for their Melbourne Cup contenders.
The Melbourne Cup 2026 riders must be declared by 4:30pm (local time) on Saturday the 31st of October 2026.
See what jockeys have locked in a ride aboard one of the 24 Melbourne Cup horses this spring.
Confirmed 2026 Melbourne Cup Jockeys
2026 Melbourne Cup Horse (Trainer) – Confirmed Jockey / Rider Booking:
- Sons And Lovers (Joseph O’Brien) – Dylan Browne McMonagle
- Trustyourinstinct (Joseph O’Brien) – James McDonald
- Middle Earth (Ciaron Maher) – Mark Zahra
- Vauban (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott) – Jordan Childs
- Knight’s Choice (John Symons & Sheila Laxon) – Robbie Dolan
- Royal Supremacy (Ciaron Maher) – Ben Allen
- Enfjaar (Roger Varian) – Ray Dawson
- Wine Dark Sea (Harry Charlton) – Damian Lane
- Juja Kibo (Ciaron Maher) – Sam Clipperton
Asterix (Chris Waller) – Jye McNeil- Goodie Two Shoes (Joseph O’Brien) – Wayne Lordan
- Soul Of Spain (Chris Waller) – Tommy Berry
- Onesmoothoperator (Tim Fitzsimmons) – Declan Bates
- Zahrann (Ciaron Maher) – Ben Melham
- Hopewell Rock (George Boughey) – Zac Lloyd
- So You Are (Bjorn Baker) – Rachel King
- James J Braddock (Joseph O’Brien) – Craig Williams
- Future History (Gregory Hickman) – Jamie Melham
- Kizlyar (Joseph O’Brien) – Beau Mertens
- Point Of Law (Ciaron Maher) – Ethan Brown
- Strictly Business (Thomas Carberry) – Dean Yendall (late alt)
- Mr Monaco (Ciaron Maher) – Jabez Johnstone (a)
- Zakouma (Grahame Begg) – William Pike
- Shockletz (Ciaron Maher) – Harry Coffey
2026 Melbourne Cup Third Acceptances
The 2026 Melbourne Cup third acceptances close on Monday October 26, 2026, at 10:00pm (local time).
The official Lexus Melbourne Cup 2026 third acceptances are now out featuring 39 horses still in the hunt including Ciaron Maher’s Geelong Cup winner and current all-in favourite at Ladbrokes, Point Of Law, and an eight-strong contingent for Ireland’s Joesph O’Brien headed by Trustyourinstinct.
Melbourne Cup 2026 Third Acceptances: At A Glance
- 39 horses remain in contention
- 15 runners withdrawn at third acceptance stage
- Aeliana officially out of Melbourne Cup calculations
- Birdman also withdrawn
- James McDonald confirmed for Joseph O’Brien’s Trustyourinstinct
- Joseph O’Brien retains five international raiders
- Ciaron Maher continues to boast the strongest local team
- Geelong Cup winner Point Of Law remains market leader at $7 through Ladbrokes
Click here to read more on the key Melbourne Cup 2026 third acceptors.
Of course, betting on the Melbourne Cup field opens at bookies around the country including Ladbrokes 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 Ladbrokes, the country’s most trusted bookie for Melbourne Cup odds.
It is a long process to whittle down all the hopeful horses to reveal the official Melbourne Cup field. Things start in late August or early September when the Melbourne Cup nominations are taken, with 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 by 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.
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