One of the world’s best horse racing betting opportunities of the year happens Tuesday, November 7 at Flemington: the AUS$8.41 million Melbourne Cup! It is known as the race that stops a nation, and no wonder: it is virtually a state holiday, and all for a horse race. And, not only is it one of the richest races in the world, but it is a wagering event like no other.
With a field of two dozen horses going a demanding two-mile distance. anyone who solves the handicapping puzzle gets paid handsomely. Make sure not to miss it: the race is Tuesday afternoon Australian time, meaning if you are betting it from the United States it happens on Monday night, 11:00 p.m. Eastern time and 8:00 p.m. Pacific time.
Keep reading to meet the field for the Melbourne Cup and to find out the best places to bet the Melbourne Cup online.
Melbourne Cup Contenders
These are the early declarants for the 2023 Melbourne Cup in order of priority, including trainers, jockeys (if announced), and weight assignments:
- Without a Fight (Anthony and Sam Freedman/Mark Zahra) - 56.5kg
- Absurde (Willie Mullins/Zac Purton) - 53kg
- Future History (Ciaron Maher and David Eustace/Hollie Doyle) - 50kg
- Gold Trip (Ciaron Maher and David Eustace/James McDonald) - 58.5kg
- Alenquer (Michael Moroney/Damien Oliver) - 56.5kg
- Breakup (Tatsuya Yoshioka/Kohei Matsuyama) - 55kg
- Vauban (Willie Mullins/Ryan Moore) - 55kg
- Soulcombe (Chris Waller/Joao Moreira) - 53.5kg
- Vow and Declare (Danny O’Brien/Billy Egan) - 53kg
- Right You Are (Ciaron Maher and David Eustace/John Allen) - 53kg
- Magical Lagoon (Chris Waller/Beau Mertens) - 51kg
- Virtuous Circle (Liam Howley/TBA) - 51kg
- Lastotchka (Mick Price and Michael Kent, Jr./Craig Williams) - 51kg
- Cleveland (Kris Lees/Michael Dee) - 52kg
- Sheraz (Chris Waller/TBA) - 51.5kg
- Daqiansweet Junior (Philip Stokes/Daniel Stakhouse) - 51.5kg
- Valiant King (Joseph O’Brien/Zac Lloyd) - 50kg
- Ashrun (Ciaron Maher and David Eustace/Kerrin McEvoy) - 51.5kg
- Okita Soushi (Joseph O’Brien/Dylan Gibbons) - 51.5kg
- Military Mission (Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott/Rachel King) - 51kg
- Serpentine (Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott/Jye McNeil) - 51kg
- More Felons (Chris Waller/Jamie Kah) - 50.5kg
- True Marvel (Matthew Smith/Ben Thompson) - 50kg
- Interpretation (Ciaron Maher and David Eustace/TBA) - 50kg
- Ladies Man (Allan Sharrock/Dean Yendall) - 50kg
- Athabascan (John O’Shea/TBA) - 50kg
- United Nations (Ciaron Maher and David Eustace/TBA) - 50kg
- Kalapour (Kris Lees/TBA) - 50kg
These are the horses that remain eligible through early declarations. Only 24 horses will be allowed to run in the race, and those final declarations and post position assignments happen on Saturday, November 4.
Make sure to track the odds and be ready to place your bet when you see an overlay on your horse. This is the advantage of online betting: online sportsbooks let you lock in your odds the moment you bet, meaning you can watch the race confident that you have the best price on your horse.
 |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vauban | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Gold Trip | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Without a Fight | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Soulcombe | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Breakup | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Absurde | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Melbourne Cup Online Betting
There are many options for where to bet online, but we are here to help you choose the best online sportsbook quickly and easily. Our online betting experts know the best places to play. All of the sites we recommend have the basics: market-leading odds, trusted payouts, and smooth user interfaces.
Each site also offers betting bonuses and incentives that you’ll never find at the racetrack. These include deposit bonuses, referral benefits, and even horse racing rebates that pay you real money for each bet you make! Taking a few minutes now to find the best bonuses for your betting style can make you hundreds or even thousands of dollars for your bankroll, so don’t miss out!
Melbourne Cup Handicapping
You’re ready to bet online, so it is time to meet the leading contenders for the 2023 Melbourne Cup:
Melbourne Cup Best Bet
The best bet in the Melbourne Cup is Soulcombe. Even though he has not tried the two-mile trip yet, he has strong form over 1 ⅝ and 1 ¾ miles and looks like a horse who can stretch out. He was only seventh in the Caulfield Cup (G1) in his first Australian try, but he can move up from that in his second start Down Under and his weight assignment of only 53.5kg is a positive as well.
Melbourne Cup Favorites
Irish raiders have been strong in the Melbourne Cup in recent years and Vauban is the hot favorite for Willie Mullins. Mullins is one of the world’s top stayer trainers, and even though Vauban got no local prep, he has been making excellent impressions during morning training. He has won his last two starts into the Melbourne Cup and his back form suggests that the step up to two miles suits perfectly.
Without a Fight has every reason to make good account. Even though he finished only 13th in the Melbourne Cup last year, he has good form in British staying races and he comes into this year’s race in even better form. He was last seen winning the Caulfield Cup (G1), a historically live prep, and should be able to string together another good effort.
Even though Gold Trip may be underlaid after winning the Melbourne Cup last year, he comes into this year’s race in form at least as good, and there is reason to think he can at least find the frame again. He won the Turnbull (G1) three back and held his own in both the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate (G1). He didn’t come into last year’s race off a win, either, meaning this may have been the ultimate goal once again.
Melbourne Cup Long Shots
Trainer Joseph O’Brien has already won the Melbourne Cup twice. Though neither of his entrants have quite the class of his previous winners, Valiant King could get a piece at a big price. He finished a credible sixth behind Without a Fight in the Caulfield Cup, his first Australian start. A useful 1 ½-mile horse in Ireland, he could find a bit more in his second Australian try.
Another long shot with upside on his second Australian start is More Felons. Known as Scriptwriter when he raced in the UK, most of his long-distance races were over hurdles but he finished a good second in a 1 ¾-mile Group 3 on the flat at York this year. The Geelong Cup (G3) has a solid history as a Melbourne Cup prep, and More Felons was beaten only ½ length there in his Australian debut.
Free Melbourne Cup Picks
You’ve set up your betting account and gotten to know the field, so it is time for the most fun part of all: betting the 2023 Melbourne Cup online!
These are your expert best bets for the race:
- $20 to win - Soulcombe
- $1 exacta key - Soulcombe with Vauban, Without a Fight, Valiant King
- $0.50 trifecta key - Soulcombe with Vauban, Without a Fight, Valiant King, More Felons
- $0.20 superfecta key - Soulcombe with Vauban, Without a Fight, Valiant King, More Felons, Gold Trip
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