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The Big Dance News
The fifth edition of The Big Dance in 2026 ran on Tuesday November 3, 2026 at Royal Randwick and in a dramatic protest result was officially won by Hellsing ($26) for Annabel & Rob Archibald. Â
The Big Dance 2026 has quickly established itself as one of the richest and most unique races on the Australian racing calendar, offering a remarkable $3 million in prize money at Randwick Racecourse on the same day as the Melbourne Cup. Designed to showcase the best horses emerging from Australia’s country and provincial racing circuit, The Big Dance features a quality handicap format and attracts a highly competitive field of runners that qualify through a series of designated races held across New South Wales throughout the year. The race delivers a career-defining opportunity for connections chasing one of the nation’s most lucrative prizes outside the traditional Group race ranks.
As interest continues to grow, The Big Dance 2026 field attracts a mix of progressive stayers, in-form milers, and proven handicap performers all vying for a share of the multi-million-dollar purse. The latest The Big Dance odds 2026 and The Big Dance betting 2026 markets provide punters with valuable insight into the leading chances, market movers, and key form lines heading into one of Sydney’s most exciting race-day attractions. On this page, you’ll find everything you need to know about The Big Dance, including the field, form guide, betting odds, tips, results, race history, and the latest news surrounding this lucrative Randwick feature.
2026 The Big Dance Results
The official The Big Dance 2026 race results and finishing order will be updated below following the $3 million event this Melbourne Cup Day in Sydney.
- #9 Hellsing
- #16 Matias
- #1 Gringotts
The 2026 The Big Dance results ended in dramatic fashion at Randwick, with Hellsing ($26) officially awarded victory after a successful protest reshaped the finish of the $3 million feature. The Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained six-year-old, ridden by Tom Sherry, was elevated to first after stewards upheld an objection against Formal Display, who had initially passed the post in front before being demoted following interference suffered by dual defending champion and favourite Gringotts between the 600m and 500m. The revised placings saw the outsider Hellsing claim the biggest win of his career ahead of Matias in second and Gringotts in third, capping one of the most controversial and memorable editions of The Big Dance in the race’s history.
Click here for the full story.
2026 The Big Dance Race Replay
2026 The Big Dance Odds & Finishing Order
See below for the latest The Big Dance 2026 odds followed by the official finishing order after the event this spring.
| 9. Hellsing (3) 53.5kg11×50 | ||
| 16. Matias (1) 53kg31×42 | ||
| 1. Gringotts (8) 62kg4×357 | ||
| 2. Formal Display (2) 56.5kg31×51 | ||
| 6. Perfumist (5) 54kg1×107 | ||
| 3. Magnatear (7) 55kg31×24 | ||
| 17. Mr Chaplin (10) 53kg31×86 | ||
| 5. Fully Lit (16) 54.5kgx3418 | ||
| 10. Matusalem (17) 53.5kgx6231 | ||
| 15. Tavros (12) 53kg152×0 | ||
| 14. It’s A Knockout (13) 53kg57531 | ||
| 12. Cavalry Man (15) 53kg13611 | ||
| 4. Bianco Vilano (11) 54.5kg115×7 | ||
| 8. Puntin (20) 54kg24213 | ||
| 20. Carravilla (14) 53kg23214 | ||
| 21. I’ve Bean Tryin’ (9) 54kg44911 | ||
| 18. Golden Cross (4) 53kg11969 | ||
| 7. Rolling Magic (18) 54kgx1430 | ||
| 19. Uzziah (19) 53kg30×38 | ||
| 11. Churchill’s Choice (6) 53kg22×56 |
2026 The Big Dance Tips
Stay tuned for our insider Big Dance 2026 Tips on the $3 million event this Melbourne Cup Day.
FULL THE BIG DANCE 2026 PREVIEW, TIPS & BEST BETS
Favourite: No. 1 Gringotts
| 1. Gringotts (8) 62kg4×357 |
Each Way Danger: No. 2 Formal Display
| 2. Formal Display (2) 56.5kg31×51 |
Best Roughie: No. 3 Magnatear
| 3. Magnatear (7) 55kg31×24 |
A key addition to the lucrative Sydney Spring Racing Carnival, the mile showdown takes place over 1600m on the first Tuesday of November, the same date as Flemington’s famous Melbourne Cup. It officially gained Listed status in 2024.
Further adding to the prestige of the wider The Everest Carnival, offering in excess of $50 million in prize money, The Big Dance is a quality handicap event open to horses aged three-years-old and upwards.
Eligibility for the event is via a win or second place in a host of selected Country Cup races held throughout the year including the Listed Scone Cup (1600m) and the Listed Wagga Wagga Gold Cup (2000m).
The winner and runner-up in The Big Dance Wild Card event at Randwick on The Everest Day are also exempt from ballot for the feature.
The 2023 The Big Dance form was franked with the upset winner Attractable going on to run second in the $2 million Group 2 The Ingham (1600m) that December.
The 2024 The Big Dance winner, Gringotts, went on to frank the form with a next-up win in the $1 million The Gong at Kembla Grange before returning in the autumn of 2025 to enjoy a Group 1 George Ryder Stakes win in Sydney.
Gringotts would make history and complete The Big Dance – The Gong double in both 2024 and 2025.
In 2026, the official The Big Dance winner was the Scone Cup winner Hellsing at $26 following a dramatic protest which had original fourth past the post, Gringotts, elevated to third and the original winner Formal Display demoted to fourth.
| The Big Dance 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Tuesday November 3, 2026 |
| Track: | Randwick Racecourse |
| Distance: | 1600m |
| Race Type: | Quality Handicap – 3YOs & Upwards – Eligibility via runs in selected Country Cup races annually |
| Status: | Listed |
| Prize Money: | $3 million |
2026 The Big Dance Betting
The Big Dance 2026 betting odds and links to the latest prices at Ladbrokes will be available here at Races.com.au.
There was a notable upset in the inaugural event with Rustic Steel (2022) winning at Big Dance odds of $12 and again in 2023 with Attractable winning the second edition at $19.
Gringotts ($3 in 2025) for his second success is the latest The Big Dance favourite to win.
Formal Display ($8) was first past the post in the 2026 The Big Dance results before a protest saw the official winner Hellsing win at blowout odds of $26!
2026 The Big Dance Form Guide
The Big Dance form guide is an essential resource for punters analysing one of Australia’s richest mile races and a unique feature of Melbourne Cup Day. Run over 1600 metres at Randwick for $3 million, The Big Dance attracts a quality field of horses that have qualified through designated country and provincial races across New South Wales. As a quality handicap, the race often brings together a fascinating mix of proven metropolitan performers, progressive country stars, and seasoned handicap specialists chasing one of the biggest prizes outside Group 1 level. The form guide provides detailed information on each runner’s recent performances, qualifying race results, handicap weight, barrier draw, jockey bookings, trainer statistics, and betting market movements, helping punters identify the horses best equipped to handle the Randwick mile.
What Punters Should Look for in The Big Dance Form Guide:
- Qualifying race form – Assess how runners performed in their designated Big Dance qualifier, as many successful contenders carry strong qualifying form into the feature.
- 1600m record – A proven ability at the mile is often critical, with the race distance serving as the ideal trip for many contenders.
- Randwick form – Horses with previous success at Randwick can hold a valuable advantage given the track’s unique characteristics.
- Handicap weight – As a quality handicap, analysing how each horse is weighted relative to its rivals can be crucial to finding value.
- Recent metropolitan form – Many runners arrive through strong Saturday-grade races, providing a useful benchmark against quality opposition.
- Current campaign form – Horses peaking at the right time and arriving off recent wins or strong placings often perform well.
- Barrier draw – An advantageous barrier can make securing a favourable position much easier over Randwick’s testing 1600m.
- Speed map and race pattern – Understanding likely leaders, on-pace runners, and backmarkers can provide insight into how the race may unfold.
- Track conditions – Some horses excel on firm tracks while others are more effective on rain-affected ground, making weather a key consideration.
- Trainer and jockey combinations – Leading trainers and experienced riders with strong records in major handicaps are always worth noting.
- Country versus metropolitan form lines – Comparing country and provincial performances with metropolitan form can help identify runners capable of stepping up successfully.
- Betting market support – Significant moves in The Big Dance betting markets often provide valuable clues regarding stable confidence and race day expectations.
FULL THE BIG DANCE FORM GUIDE
Want to discover value runners using smart form suggestions?
Form Genius is a powerful form analysis tool that makes doing the form easy by getting through mountains of data at the touch of a button! Ask it anything and get fast, form-based answers on any runner, jockey or trainer in any race. Use the smart prompts for deep insights and to sharpen your punting even further.
Ask Form Genius...
- Which runner has the best trainer/jockey combo at Randwick?
- Which runner has the best form on this track?
- Which runners are mapped as leaders in The Big Dance?
Want to discover value runners using smart form suggestions?
Form Genius is a powerful form analysis tool that makes doing the form easy by getting through mountains of data at the touch of a button! Ask it anything and get fast, form-based answers on any runner, jockey or trainer in any race. Use the smart prompts for deep insights and to sharpen your punting even further.
Get Free Access to Form Genius Now2026 The Big Dance Field
The confirmed The Big Dance 2026 field of eligible Country Cup performers is announced on the Friday prior to the race and will be published below once confirmed.
2026 The Big Dance Final Acceptances close on the Friday prior to the race.
The Big Dance 2026 final field is now out featuring a huge line-up of gallopers led in betting by dual defending champion Gringotts sitting top of the odds as a nine-year-old with the 62kg topweight.
| Entrant | Last 6 | Sex | Barrier | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. Gringotts
J: Nash Rawiller
T: Ciaron Maher |
24×357 | G | 8 | 62kg | |
|
2. Formal Display
J: Chad Schofield
T: Annabel & Rob Archibald |
131×51 | G | 2 | 56.5kg | |
|
3. Magnatear
J: Ashley Morgan
T: Richard & Will Freedman |
331×24 | G | 7 | 55kg | |
|
4. Bianco Vilano
J: Tyler Schiller
T: Ron Stubbs |
0115×7 | G | 11 | 54.5kg | |
|
5. Fully Lit
J: Regan Bayliss
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
0x3418 | G | 16 | 54.5kg | |
|
6. Perfumist
J: Jason Collett
T: Bjorn Baker |
71×107 | M | 5 | 54kg | |
|
7. Rolling Magic
J: Andrew Calder
T: Richard & Will Freedman |
0x1430 | G | 18 | 54kg | |
|
8. Puntin
J: Braith Nock
T: Bjorn Baker |
324213 | G | 20 | 54kg | |
|
9. Hellsing
J: Tom Sherry
T: Annabel & Rob Archibald |
011×50 | G | 3 | 53.5kg | |
|
10. Matusalem
J: Siena Grima
T: Chris Waller |
0x6231 | G | 17 | 53.5kg | |
|
11. Churchill’s Choice
J: Kerrin Mcevoy
T: Nathan Doyle |
122×56 | M | 6 | 53kg | |
|
12. Cavalry Man
J: Jace Mcmurray
T: Lindsay Gough |
013611 | G | 15 | 53kg | |
| 13. Mighty Ulysses (20) Scratched: | |||||
|
14. It’s A Knockout
J: Andrew Adkins
T: Jason Deamer |
257531 | M | 13 | 53kg | |
|
15. Tavros
J: Anna Roper
T: Craig Martin |
1152×0 | G | 12 | 53kg | |
|
16. Matias
J: Reece Jones
T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou |
831×42 | G | 1 | 53kg | |
|
17. Mr Chaplin
J: Dylan Gibbons
T: John O’shea & Tom Charlton |
131×86 | G | 10 | 53kg | |
|
18. Golden Cross
J: Winona Costin
T: Bryan Dais |
111969 | G | 4 | 53kg | |
|
19. Uzziah
J: Molly Bourke
T: Scott Aspery |
030×38 | G | 19 | 53kg | |
|
20. Carravilla
J: Tahlia Fenlon
T: Chris & Corey Munce |
523214 | M | 14 | 53kg | |
2026 The Big Dance Nominations
Early The Big Dance 2026 nominations are updated following the official results from the qualifying races throughout the year.
Horses will automatically be nominated based the results of qualifying races before the official entries are taken.
2026 Big Dance Qualifying Races
To qualify for The Big Dance 2026, a horse must finish 1st or 2nd in an approved qualifying race conducted throughout New South Wales. The race also features a Big Dance Wild Card, with the first two finishers earning ballot-exempt spots in the $3 million feature at Randwick.
| Qualifying Race | Location |
|---|---|
| Albury Gold Cup | Albury |
| Ballina Cup | Ballina |
| Bathurst Cup | Bathurst |
| Cameron Handicap | Newcastle |
| Coonamble Cup | Coonamble |
| Forbes Cup | Forbes |
| Gosford Gold Cup | Gosford |
| Goulburn Cup | Goulburn |
| Hawkesbury Gold Cup | Hawkesbury |
| Kembla Grange Cup (The Gong qualifier) | Kembla Grange |
| Lismore Cup | Lismore |
| Moruya Cup | Moruya |
| Mudgee Cup | Mudgee |
| Murwillumbah Cup | Murwillumbah |
| Muswellbrook Gold Cup | Muswellbrook |
| Narrandera Cup | Narrandera |
| Newcastle Cup | Newcastle |
| Nowra Cup | Nowra |
| Orange Gold Cup | Orange |
| Port Macquarie Cup | Port Macquarie |
| Scone Cup | Scone |
| South Grafton Cup | Grafton |
| Tamworth Cup | Tamworth |
| Taree Gold Cup | Taree |
| Tuncurry-Forster Cup | Tuncurry |
| Wellington Cup | Wellington |
| Wagga Wagga Gold Cup | Wagga Wagga |
| Wyong Cup | Wyong |
| The Gong | Kembla Grange |
| Big Dance Wild Card | Randwick |
The Big Dance History
The Big Dance ran for the first time on Melbourne Cup Day 2022 at Randwick Racecourse and was won by Scone Cup winner Rustic Steel for Newcastle horseman Kris Lees and jockey Nash Rawiller.
In 2024 The Big Dance became a Black-Type Australin horse race being upgraded to Listed status.
The Big Dance Winners
Previous The Big Dance winners going back to the race’s inauguration in 2022 are detailed below following the first edition on Melbourne Cup Day.
| YEAR | WINNER | 2ND | 3RD | TIME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* | Hellsing | Matias | Gringotts | 1 minute 32.87 seconds |
| 2025 | Gringotts | Vivy Air | Lugh | 1 minute 35.64 seconds |
| 2024 | Gringotts | Vivy Air | Suparazi | 1 minute 34.43 seconds |
| 2023 | Attractable | Cepheus | Super Helpful | 1 minute 34.49 seconds |
| 2022 | Rustic Steel | Cisco Bay | Sibaaq | 1 minute 33.87 seconds |
*The official The Big Dance 2026 results were affected by a dramatic protest upheld by stewards with original first past the post Formal Display demoted to fourth reshuffling the Top 3 finishing order.
The Big Dance FAQs
What is The Big Dance?
The Big Dance is a Listed $3 million quality handicap run over 1600 metres at Royal Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day. The race is restricted to horses that qualify through a series of designated country and provincial races across New South Wales.
When is The Big Dance run?
The Big Dance is held annually on Melbourne Cup Day, the same day as the Melbourne Cup at Flemington, on the first Tuesday of November.
Where is The Big Dance held?
The race is contested at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, New South Wales.
How far is The Big Dance?
The Big Dance is run over a distance of 1600 metres.
How much prize money does The Big Dance offer?
The Big Dance offers a total prize purse of $3 million, making it one of the richest mile races in Australia.
What are the conditions of The Big Dance?
The race is conducted as a quality handicap for horses aged three years and older, with a maximum weight of 62kg.
How do horses qualify for The Big Dance?
Horses become eligible by winning or finishing second in an approved Big Dance qualifying race held throughout New South Wales during the qualifying period.
How many horses can run in The Big Dance?
The Big Dance field is limited to 20 starters plus four emergencies.
What is the Big Dance Wild Card?
The Big Dance Wild Card is a special qualifying race run at Randwick prior to The Big Dance. The first and second placegetters receive ballot-exempt entry into the final field.
What races qualify horses for The Big Dance?
Qualifying races include a range of prominent NSW country and provincial cups including the Newcastle Cup, Scone Cup, Gosford Gold Cup, Hawkesbury Gold Cup, Wagga Wagga Gold Cup, Orange Gold Cup, The Gong, and many others.
Why was The Big Dance created?
The race was introduced to provide country and provincial participants with the opportunity to compete for a major prize on one of Australian racing’s biggest days.
Is The Big Dance a black-type race?
Yes. The Big Dance is conducted with Listed status, adding further prestige to the lucrative event.
What type of horse typically wins The Big Dance?
Successful runners generally arrive with strong country, provincial, or metropolitan handicap form and have proven credentials at or around the 1600m distance.
How can I bet on The Big Dance?
Punters can place bets through licensed bookmakers including Ladbrokes on a range of markets including win, place, each-way, quinella, exacta, trifecta, first four, and fixed-odds betting.
Where can I find the latest The Big Dance odds?
You can find the latest The Big Dance odds, betting markets, field updates, form guides, tips, scratchings, and results right here at Races.com.au.
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