Melbourne Cup 2023 field, horses, form guide and betting

$4.20: 1. Gold Journey

7yo stallion (France)  |  Barrier 2  |  58.5kg 

Jockey: James McDonald  |  Trainers: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

Gold Journey is aiming to turn into solely the fourth horse to win back-to-back Melbourne Cups, and there are many punters who imagine he can do it. 

His type mirrors what it was a yr in the past — inserting within the Caulfield Cup (2,400m) and a strong-finishing effort within the Cox Plate (2,040m) have him primed for an additional ahead displaying on Tuesday.

The seven-year-old does have to hold a kilogram greater than final yr, and no horse has lumped 58.5kg to victory since Suppose Huge gained his second Cup 48 years in the past.

Gold Journey will not just like the observe too dry, so any rain will improve his probabilities below champion jockey James McDonald, who picked up the journey after Mark Zahra opted for Caulfield Cup winner With out A Combat.

$34: 2. Alenquer

6yo gelding (France)  |  Barrier 9  |  56.5kg 

Jockey: Damien Oliver  |  Coach: Michael Moroney

This former European galloper hasn’t figured within the end at any of his 5 begins Down Underneath, however to be truthful he ought to’ve completed nearer than his last-start ninth, crushed 3.4 lengths, behind Cleveland within the Moonee Valley Cup (2,500m).

The Cup will likely be his first try on the 3,200 metres, however coach Mike Moroney is aware of how you can win the nice race having triumphed with Brew in 2000.

However Alenquer will appeal to extra consideration than your typical Cup outsider due to the person who’ll be within the saddle — corridor of fame jockey Damien Oliver.

The legendary hoop is out to say a fourth Cup at his thirty second and remaining journey within the nice race, and can carry a great deal of sentimental cash from punters on Tuesday.

$8: 3. With out A Combat

7yo gelding (Eire)  |  Barrier 16  |  56.5kg 

Jockey: Mark Zahra  |  Trainers: Anthony & Sam Freedman

This will likely be With out A Combat’s second try on the Cup after ending a well-beaten thirteenth final yr when he discovered the moist situations to not his liking.

Previously skilled in England, the seven-year-old has solely raced 4 instances since then, successful three, beginning with spectacular back-to-back successes in Brisbane in the course of the winter.

A fortnight in the past With out A Combat bought his most popular dry floor within the Caulfield Cup (2,400m) the place he powered by way of the road to attain and defeat a number of rivals he’ll face once more on Tuesday.

Jockey Mark Zahra elected to maintain the journey regardless of having the choice to stay with Gold Journey on whom he gained the Cup a yr in the past.

$19: 4. Breakup

6yo stallion (Japan)  |  Barrier 18  |  55kg 

Jockey: Kohei Matsuyama  |  Coach: Tatsuya Yoshioka

Breakup could also be a degree or two beneath the elite stayers in his native Japan, however gallopers with related profiles previously have been greater than aggressive when venturing Down Underneath. 

Punters confirmed him loads of respect at his Australian debut within the Caulfield Cup (2,400m) a fortnight in the past, when he fought on pretty for eighth, crushed 5.7 lengths, behind With out A Combat.

The secure studies that Breakup has taken profit from that run and the prospect of a dry observe on Tuesday poses no drawback. 

They’re hoping a real take a look at of stamina over the Cup’s 3,200 metres will likely be to his profit and assist reverse the outcome towards a few of his rivals from Caulfield.

$3.40: 5. Vauban

6yo gelding (France)  |  Barrier 3  |  55kg 

Jockey: Ryan Moore  |  Coach: Willie Mullins

The Irish-trained Vauban confirmed class as a hurdler after taking to jumps races in late 2021, however his return to the flat in June noticed him emerge as a number one Melbourne Cup contender.

A dominant 7.5-length victory at Royal Ascot over stablemate Absurde, albeit in a time slower than customary, put the six-year-old atop the betting markets, however he backed it up by defeating one-time Cup aspirant Valiant King within the Ballyroan Stakes (2,414m) in Dublin.

Vauban has settled properly in Melbourne and a formidable observe gallop at Flemington final Tuesday has solely strengthened the arrogance of his supporters. 

Tuesday brings a way of unfinished enterprise for his coach, legendary horseman Willie Mullins, whose Max Dynamite positioned twice within the Cup (2nd 2015, third 2017) sporting the identical silks as Vauban.

$11: 6. Soulcombe

5yo gelding (Nice Britain)  |  Barrier 4  |  53.5kg 

Jockey: Joao Moreira  |  Coach: Chris Waller

Soulcombe created an enormous impression at his first Australian begin a yr in the past, working away with the Queens Cup (2,600m) in the course of the Flemington carnival.

And whereas issues did not go proper throughout his autumn marketing campaign, the previous English galloper confirmed his true potential with a fast-finishing win when resuming within the Heatherlie Handicap (1,700m) at Caulfield in September.

Poor barrier manners, nonetheless, have since cruelled his probabilities, most lately when he was properly fancied within the Caulfield Cup (2,400m) however missed the beginning badly and completed seventh behind With out A Combat.

Connections have turned to the “Magic Man” Joao Moreira within the hope of getting Soulcombe to leap with the sphere and giving him each probability to be within the end.

$19: 7. Absurde

6yo gelding (France)  |  Barrier 8  |  53kg 

Jockey: Zac Purton  |  Coach: Willie Mullins

Absurde began his profession in France however for the previous yr has been with champion Irish horseman Willie Mullins.

In true Mullins fashion, the horse has blended his begins between jumps and flat races, together with a second to stablemate and Cup rival Vauban at Royal Ascot in June, though he was trounced by 7.5 lengths.

Two begins later Absurde booked his ticket for the Cup with a slender victory within the win-and-you’re-in Ebor Handicap (2,816m) in England the place he completed forward of one other Cup rival, Extra Felons.

Champion Hong Kong-based jockey Zac Purton is booked for the journey and is hoping to enhance on his third inserting for Mullins aboard Max Dynamite within the 2017 Cup.

$61: 8. Proper You Are

7yo gelding (Australia)  |  Barrier 15  |  53kg 

Jockey: John Allen  |  Trainers: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

Proper You Are was one of many final horses standing after racing close to the brutal tempo set within the Caulfield Cup (2,400m), battling on properly within the circumstances to complete fifth behind With out A Combat.

It was a race he’d been set for after successful the Mornington Cup earlier within the yr at his first try over 2,400 metres.

He’d beforehand established a very good report over 1,600 to 2,000 metres, leaving some inquiries to be answered over his potential to run the Cup’s 3,200 metres — however the identical will be mentioned for a lot of his rivals on Tuesday.

Proper You Are is certainly one of 5 runners for co-trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace who gained the Cup final yr with Gold Journey.

$23: 9. Vow And Declare

8yo gelding (Australia)  |  Barrier 19  |  53kg 

Jockey: Billy Egan  |  Coach: Danny O’Brien

Vow And Declare, lining up for his fourth Cup, is a credit score to coach Danny O’Brien, who’s maintained the 2019 champion’s zest for racing regardless of him struggling a close to career-ending harm two years in the past.

The veteran galloper has proven this spring that he is removed from a spent power, working second to cult hero Alligator Blood over 2,000 metres after which second to Cup rival Cleveland within the Moonee Valley Cup (2,500m) simply over every week in the past. 

Nonetheless the burden of historical past is working towards Vow And Declare, as solely three eight-year-olds have claimed the Cup — Twilight Cost in 2020 is the only winner previously 85 years.

And there have been simply 5 a number of winners of the Cup — the nice Peter Pan (1932, 1934) was the one horse to triumph in non-consecutive years. 

$31: 10. Cleveland

6yo stallion (Eire)  |  Barrier 23  |  52kg 

Jockey: Michael Dee  |  Coach: Kris Lees

Inevitably there is a sense of timing with a Lloyd Williams-owned runner heading into the primary Tuesday in November — this yr within the form of former Irish-trained galloper Cleveland.

The horse confirmed glimpses of his potential in six Australian begins at the beginning got here collectively as he powered to the road to say the Moonee Valley Cup (2,500m) and defeat Cup rivals together with Vow And Declare and Future Historical past.

Cleveland is certainly one of two runners (together with Serpentine) for Williams, who holds the report with seven Cup wins so far (1981, 1985, 2007, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2020).

Coach and proprietor have chosen at hand the reins to Michael Dee, who’s been in a wealthy vein of type previously yr.

$34: 11. Ashrun

8yo gelding (France)  |  Barrier 11  |  51.5kg 

Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy  |  Trainers: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

No matter his efficiency on Tuesday, it’s going to be a tremendous feat to see Ashrun line up for his second tilt on the Cup.

The now-eight-year-old has improved at every run this spring after spending virtually three years on the sidelines following his tenth within the 2020 version for German coach Andreas Wohler. 

Ashrun’s third and remaining tune-up for this yr’s race was a second within the Geelong Cup (2,400m) the place he completed simply forward of Cup rivals Extra Felons and Magical Lagoon in a blanket end.

Co-trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace have elected to place three-time Cup winner Kerrin McEvoy within the saddle, whose most up-to-date success got here aboard Cross Counter in 2018.

$101: 12. Daqiansweet Junior

6yo gelding (New Zealand)  |  Barrier 12  |  51.5kg 

Jockey: Daniel Stackhouse  |  Coach: Phillip Stokes

Daqiansweet (pronounced dish-arn-sweet) Junior contested the Cup final yr and ran a decent sixth at lengthy odds behind Gold Journey.

Whereas he is not figured within the placings since, it is maybe solely truthful to evaluate him on his most up-to-date run — fourth behind Cup rival Navy Mission within the Herbert Energy Stakes (2,400m) — which was truly over an acceptable distance.

The six-year-old is an out-and-out stayer as evidenced by his win in final yr’s Adelaide Cup over 3,200 metres and third inserting within the Sydney Cup over the identical journey. 

Coach Phillip Stokes says his sole focus this marketing campaign has been to get Daqiansweet Junior to peak on Tuesday and believes he can carry out simply in addition to a yr in the past.

$61: 13. Okita Soushi

6yo stallion (Eire)  |  Barrier 20  |  51.5kg 

Jockey: Dylan Gibbons  |  Coach: Joseph O’Brien

This six-year-old races in Eire below part-Japanese possession for coach Joseph O’Brien who gained two Melbourne Cups earlier than he turned 30.

Okita Soushi has a constant general report, with current highlights a win within the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (2,414m) at Royal Ascot and a 3rd within the Irish St Leger Trial (2,816m).

He was a drifter within the betting at his Australian bow within the Caulfield Cup (2,400m), when he struggled to make floor from the again to complete twelfth, crushed 10 lengths, by With out A Combat.

Whereas a truthful quantity of enchancment is required for Okita Soushi to show the tables, you do must respect the secure, which has handed a primary Cup journey to star Sydney apprentice Dylan Gibbons.

$126: 14. Sheraz

7yo gelding (France)  |  Barrier 22  |  51.5kg 

Jockey: Beau Mertens  |  Coach: Chris Waller

Chris Waller has all the time held a very good opinion of Sheraz, certainly one of 4 runners to go spherical within the Cup for the champion coach.

However it’s been greater than 860 days because the seven-year-old’s final victory; his finest outcome since arriving in Australia in 2021 was runner-up in final yr’s Sydney Cup (3,200m).

He labored residence pretty at his most up-to-date begin when tenth within the Moonee Valley Cup (2,500m) behind Cup rivals Cleveland (1st), Vow And Declare (2nd) and Future Historical past (third).

The broader expanses of Flemington will likely be extra to Sheraz’s liking on Tuesday, however he would possibly want some rain to convey out his finest.

$26: 15. Lastotchka

5yo mare (France)  |  Barrier 21  |  51kg 

Jockey: Craig Williams  |  Trainers: Mick Value & Michael Kent Jr

Lastotchka may have her first Australian begin on Tuesday after being purchased in France by connections who’ve already tasted Cup success with imports similar to Protectionist (2014) and Gold Journey (2022).

The five-year-old has executed most of her racing on comfortable floor, so questions might be raised if the observe is dry on Tuesday.

There isn’t any query, nonetheless, over her potential to run the space — her final begin was a victory within the Prix Gladiateur over 3,100 metres in Paris.

Have in mind although that of the 43 mares to run within the Cup since 2005, solely Excessive Emocean (2022) and Verry Elleegant (2021) have completed high three.

Craig Williams will likely be within the saddle as he goals for a second Cup to go together with his 2019 triumph on Vow And Declare.

$101: 16. Magical Lagoon

5yo mare (Eire)  |  Barrier 7  |  51kg 

Jockey: Mark Du Plessis  |  Coach: Chris Waller

This winner of the 2022 Irish Oaks (2,414m) was a well-credentialed addition to Chris Waller’s secure early this yr and her pedigree suggests she’ll be suited by Tuesday’s stamina take a look at.

Certainly her finest run since coming Down Underneath got here final begin when stepping as much as 2,400 metres within the Geelong Cup, albeit a detailed sixth behind fellow Cup rivals Ashrun (2nd) and Extra Felons (fifth).

Needless to say mares do not boast an awesome Cup strike fee — 43 have run since 2005 and solely Excessive Emocean (2022) and Verry Elleegant (2021) have completed high three.

Maybe worryingly for Magical Lagoon’s connections, solely two winners have jumped from barrier 7 — the latest was Makybe Diva in 2004.

$34: 17. Navy Mission

6yo gelding (Eire)  |  Barrier 5  |  51kg 

Jockey: Rachel King  |  Trainers: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott

Win, lose or draw on Tuesday, Navy Mission has had a profitable spring marketing campaign however the Cup looms as his hardest take a look at but. 

Victory within the Newcastle Cup (2,300m) in September preceded a fourth within the Metropolitan (2,400m), and final begin he was strongest to the road to say the Herbert Energy (2,400m) at Caulfield with Daqiansweet Junior in fourth. 

Navy Mission is the primary of two runners this yr for racing’s first woman Gai Waterhouse and co-trainer Adrian Bott. Waterhouse’s lone Cup success got here a decade in the past with Fiorente.

He is additionally the one for these punters who wish to have a flutter on the greys, however be thoughts conscious that solely six have gained the Cup in 162 runnings, the latest being Environment friendly in 2007.

$51: 18. Serpentine

7yo gelding (Eire)  |  Barrier 1  |  51kg 

Jockey: Jye McNeil  |  Trainers: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott

Serpentine, the 2020 English Derby winner, is lining up for his second Melbourne Cup following a distanced twentieth final yr. 

He is racing in higher type this time spherical and final begin fought on bravely for third behind Future Historical past within the Bart Cummings (2,500m) after racing broad early.

Punters, nonetheless, fee Serpentine the lesser probability of a two-pronged assault (alongside Cleveland) for proprietor Lloyd Williams, who’s looking for an eighth Cup.

Jye McNeil has been booked for the journey; he claimed the Cup for Williams with an all-the-way win aboard Twilight Cost at an eerily COVID-emptied Flemington in 2020.

$81: 19. Virtuous Circle

4yo stallion (New Zealand)  |  Barrier 6  |  51kg 

Jockey: Craig Newitt  |  Coach: Liam Howley

Virtuous Circle confirmed potential throughout his three-year-old season, with the spotlight being a second within the Australian Derby (2,400m) within the autumn.

Now 4, he is not discovering open firm any simpler and the jury stays out on his probabilities primarily based on his performances this spring.

The New Zealand-bred stallion was luckless when tenth within the Bart Cummings (2,500m) behind Future Historical past, however he appeared to have each probability when eighth behind the likes of Cup rivals Ashrun (2nd), Extra Felons (fifth) and Magical Lagoon (sixth) within the Geelong Cup (2,400m).  

However Virtuous Circle retains the religion of his coach Liam Howley, previously the personal coach of record-holding proprietor Lloyd Williams and a part of the staff that ready Almandin to Cup success in 2016.

$26: 20. Extra Felons

5yo gelding (Eire)  |  Barrier 24  |  50.5kg 

Jockey: Jamie Kah  |  Coach: Chris Waller

Chris Waller has taken over the coaching of this English import (previously referred to as Scriptwriter), who’s confirmed how properly he is settled in Australia with a fast-closing fifth within the Geelong Cup (2,400m) virtually a fortnight in the past.

That race has confirmed to be a useful information for the Melbourne Cup through the years — Media Puzzle (2002), Americain (2010) and Dunaden (2011) did the double, whereas On A Jeune (2005), Bauer (2008), Prince Of Arran (2019) and Emissary (2022) all positioned within the Cup after successful at Geelong.

A take a look at Extra Felons’ formlines exhibits he was soundly crushed by Cup favorite Vauban over 2,816 metres in England in June, and was no match for Absurde within the time-honoured Ebor Handicap (2,816m) in August.

He does, nonetheless, get weight reduction from these rivals on Tuesday and is one which might be on an upwards trajectory for Waller, who tasted Cup success with Verry Elleegant in 2021.

$31: 21. Future Historical past

6yo gelding (Nice Britain)  |  Barrier 13  |  50kg 

Jockey: Hollie Doyle  |  Trainers: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

Future Historical past punched his golden ticket for the Cup by way of the win-and-you’re-in Bart Cummings (2,500m) at Flemington a month in the past.

He has since backed up his good type with a close-up third behind Cleveland and Vow And Declare within the Moonee Valley Cup (2,500m) after being compelled to make an early broad run.

The previous French-trained gelding is certainly one of 5 runners for co-trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, who’re in search of back-to-back Cups after their success with Gold Journey final yr.

Future Historical past has the notable engagement of record-breaking English jockey Hollie Doyle who’ll be the primary worldwide feminine jockey to journey within the Cup.

$61: 22. Interpretation

6yo gelding (Eire)  |  Barrier 17  |  50kg 

Jockey: Teo Nugent  |  Coach: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

Interpretation discovered the event of final yr’s Cup all an excessive amount of for him as a stallion and failed to complete behind Gold Journey.

Now gelded, the previous Irish galloper has been constructing into his preparation and had little go his approach when ninth behind Cup rival Future Historical past within the Bart Cummings (2,500m).

He made amends by breaking by way of for his first Australian win (his first triumph in additional than 800 days) in final Wednesday’s Bendigo Cup (2,400m).

That outcome was sufficient for Interpretation get into the Cup subject and be runner quantity 5 for co-trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

$61: 23. Kalapour

7yo gelding (Eire)  |  Barrier 14  |  50kg 

Jockey: Zac Lloyd  |  Coach: Kris Lees

An outstanding front-running journey by retiring legend Damien Oliver guided Kalapour to victory within the Archer Stakes (2,500m) on Derby Day and assured him a spot within the Cup.

The win for Kalapour got here on the again of consecutive third placings in Sydney — within the Metropolitan (2,400m) and the St Leger (2,600m).

However Saturday’s outcome would not appear to have impressed the punters, who nonetheless fee the previous Irish galloper as one of many long-shots of the sphere.

Kalapour is certainly one of two runners within the Cup for Newcastle-based coach Kris Lees, who additionally saddles the Lloyd Williams-owned Cleveland.

$201: 24. True Marvel

8yo gelding (France)  |  Barrier 10  |  50kg 

Jockey: Ben Thompson  |  Coach: Matthew Smith

True Marvel is ready to line up because the veteran of the sphere, taking to the observe for begin quantity 54.

He would not win out of flip however working over longer distances is his forte; he is gained over 3,800 metres in addition to working second at 150-1 on this yr’s Sydney Cup (3,200m) and third within the Brisbane Cup (3,200m). 

Nonetheless, True Marvel is anticipated to run as one of many outsiders on Tuesday after his current tenth behind Cleveland within the Moonee Valley Cup (2,500m).

He is certainly one of three eight-year-olds to contest this yr’s race — simply three have gained the Cup, with Twilight Cost (2020) the one one previously 85 years.