The race that stops a nation is almost here. The 166th Melbourne Cup runs on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 at Flemington — a $10.2 million Group 1 handicap over 3200 metres, Race 7 of a 10-race card, jumping at 3:00pm AEDT. The winner collects $4.5 million.
The market is led by the Melbourne Cup 2026 favourite Point of Law, a Geelong Cup winner trained by Ciaron Maher and ridden by Ethan Brown. Starting from barrier 9 with 53kg at roughly $6.50-$7, the lightly raced British-bred would be the most lightly raced Cup winner of the modern era if he scores on just his sixth career start.
Second favourite is Trustyourinstinct at $7.50-$8, Joseph O’Brien’s leading hope with James McDonald aboard from barrier 18. The stable battle is the story of this year’s field: Maher saddles a record seven runners — Point Of Law, Middle Earth, Royal Supremacy, Juja Kibo, Zahrann, Mr Monaco and Shockletz — while O’Brien has five, meaning the two stables account for half the 24-horse field.
There is a jockey cloud over one Maher runner. Harry Coffey suffered a suspected fractured collarbone in a fall from Pondalowie on Derby Day (October 31) and is awaiting medical clearance to ride Shockletz, with a replacement rider to be announced by racing authorities if he cannot take the mount.
Cup Day doubles as Reserve Bank decision day, with the RBA’s fifth-rate-hike call due at 2:30pm AEDT, minutes before the race. And punters have found their moves: So You Are has firmed from $23 to $12 as the most-backed runner, while outsider Kizlyar at $41 is one bookmaker’s biggest early liability. Place your bets — the 166th Cup is hours away.
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Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.