The first Tuesday of November is upon us, which means it is time to run the Melbourne Cup around the famous 3200-metre Flemington course.
We have all the details you need to pick a winner in the big one.
TAB fixed odds correct as of 12:30pm AEDT, 2nd November, 2026 (please visit tab.com.au for the latest).
Race 7 - Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) - 3pm
1. SONS AND LOVERS - TAB Odds:
Career Win%: 21 Place%: 58
Arrives in Australia on the back of a 52-day spell and will go straight into the Melbourne Cup without a warm-up run. Solid international form, but we've all seen this movie before.
2. TRUSTYOURINSTINCT - TAB Odds: $8 Form: 21214 Career: 25: 9-9
Career Win%: 36 Place%: 72
Irish stayer also arriving after a long break. Drawn wide, it has the early speed and one of Australia's best aboard to overcome that hurdle. Once again a foreign raider taking on the Flemington 3200m without a run on Australian soil.
2026 Melbourne Cup Day tips: Who should you back in every race?
3. KNIGHT'S CHOICE - TAB Odds:
Career Win%: 19 Place%: 39
Surprise winner of the 2024 Melbourne Cup, this 7-y/o gelding was eased up early last start in the Caulfield Cup and finished well back. Prior to that it was third over 2040m in the Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield. Another win would be even more surprising than the first.
4. MIDDLE EARTH - TAB Odds:
Career Win%: 23 Place%: 42
Eased back to finish eighth in the Cox Plate last start, and ninth in the Caulfield Cup in the start prior to that. Ciaron Maher knows what he is doing and this 6-y/o gelding will be there at the finish.
5. VAUBAN - TAB Odds:
Career Win%: 30 Place%: 64
Finished ninth last start in the Geelong Cup, this veteran of Cup Day will provide its connections another opportunity to soak up the atmosphere and celebrate having a runner in the Melbourne Cup.
6. ENFJAAR - TAB Odds:
Career Win%: 29 Place%: 59
Was impressive in finishing third, one length behind Kingswood, in the Caulfield Cup last start, but will really be tested by the 3200m of Flemington.
7. ROYAL SUPREMACY - TAB Odds: $51 Form: 1x910 Career: 22: 7-7
Career Win%: 32 Place%: 64
Plodded home last start to finish at the tail of the Caulfield Cup field, but won over 2000m at Caulfield the start prior. Ran into a bit of trouble last start, but might struggle with the 3200m.
2026 Melbourne Cup Day tips: Who should you back in every race?
8. WINE DARK SEA - TAB Odds: $41 Form: 151x0 Career: 11: 4-2
Career Win%: 36 Place%: 55
Intriguingly named 4-y/o gelding was near the pointy end of the Caulfield Cup field for most of that race, before fading away. Despite that effort, the extra distance should suit, good for an each-way bet if you like the name.
9. ASTERIX - TAB Odds: $51 Form: x5300 Career: 33: 8-3
Career Win%: 24 Place%: 33
Comes into the Melbourne Cup having faded badly in the Caulfield Cup last start after finishing last in its previous start, the Turnbull Stakes over 2000m. Waller is a genius trainer, but he will have to work some miracles here.
10. GOODIE TWO SHOES - TAB Odds: $26 Form: x8210 Career: 23: 8-7
Career Win%: 35 Place%: 65
Another Irish stayer arriving here on the back of a long spell and jumping straight into the Melbourne Cup. At least this 7-y/o mare experienced the trip last year. Carries more weight, but might sneak a place.
11. JUJA KIBO - TAB Odds: $12 Form: x3211 Career: 20: 6-9
Career Win%: 30 Place%: 75
Won its last two starts including the Moonee Valley Cup at this track on October 24 over 2500m. Prior to that he won the Metropolitan at Randwick over 2400m. In sizzling form and if it can manage the extra distance should be thereabouts.
12. HOPEWELL ROCK - TAB Odds: $10 Form: 3612x Career: 10: 3-5
Career Win%: 30 Place%: 80
Lightly-raced Irish stayer arriving on the back of a spell and looking to win the Melbourne Cup. Good European form lines has this listed among the chances, but it will be trying Flemington and the 3200m for the first time.
13. ONESMOOTHOPERATOR - TAB Odds: $61 Form: 9x090 Career: 61: 6-17
Career Win%: 12 Place%: 45
Finished 11th in the Geelong Cup last start, and ninth in the Herbert Power Stakes in the run prior. This 8-y/o gelding will be making up the numbers and hopefully won't get in the way of any horse you have your money on.
14. SOUL OF SPAIN - TAB Odds: $34 Form: 68378 Career: 26: 5-11
Career Win%: 19 Place%: 62
This Irish stayer finished eighth in the Caulfield Cup last start and seventh in the Metropolitan the run prior. Can be forgiven for its Caulfield Cup effort, but a win here would surprise.
15. ZAHRANN - TAB Odds: $31 Form: x4106 Career: 12: 4-3
Career Win%: 33 Place%: 58
Finished sixth in the Caulfield Cup last start and 11th prior to that in the Turnbull Stakes. Was making ground in the Caulfield Cup, which is promising, but its chances over the 3200m are a complete mystery.
16. SO YOU ARE - TAB Odds: $13 Form: 21111 Career: 28: 8-12
Career Win%: 29 Place%: 71
On a four-run winning streak, sired by the champion So You Think, this horse will not look out of place in this field. Can Rachel King join the list of winning female jockeys? It might just fall short of the distance, when carrying the weight of my money.
17. FUTURE HISTORY - TAB Odds: $51 Form: x3249 Career: 47: 10-12
Career Win%: 21 Place%: 47
Finished ninth last start in the Moonee Valley Cup at Flemington and fourth in the Herbert Power the start prior to that. Travelling well and with last year's winning jockey on board, but this looks to be a real test.
18. JAMES J BRADDOCK - TAB Odds: $19 Form: 136x6 Career: 7: 2-2
Career Win%: 29 Place%: 57
Another raider fresh off the plane for a couple of track work sessions after a lengthy spell, and expecting to win the Melbourne Cup. I will be horribly wrong one day about the merits of this plan of attack, but it will take a special horse.
19. KIZLYAR - TAB Odds: $41 Form: 1x2x0 Career: 11: 3-4
Career Win%: 27 Place%: 64
On the pace early in the Moonee Valley Cup last start before fading to finish 11th. Hardly an impressive first run in Australia, but at least it has a run under its belt in the conditions. Still, victory here would shock everyone.
20. POINT OF LAW - TAB Odds: $7 Form: 141x1 Career: 5: 3-1
Career Win%: 60 Place%: 80
Currently favourite, this lightly raced 3-y/o colt from England took out the Geelong Cup on October 21 with an impressive run over the 2400m. A lot of foreign raiders come here with impressive overseas form, but this one has done it on Australian soil.
21. STRICTLY BUSINESS - TAB Odds: $61 Form: 2x000 Career: 11: 2-3
Career Win%: 18 Place%: 36
Finished last in the Moonee Valley Cup last start and last in the Herbert Power Stakes the start prior. Looking for a fourth straight duck egg, and is a must for any office sweep with a money back for last prize.
22. MR MONACO - TAB Odds: $23 Form: x4013 Career: 20: 6-4
Career Win%: 30 Place%: 50
Ran on from midfield to claim third place in the Moonee Valley Cup last start and won the Bart Cummings at this track in the wet over 2520m the start prior. Certainly not the worst horse to carry your each-way money.
23. ZAKOUMA - TAB Odds: $34 Form: x6650 Career: 18: 5-3
Career Win%: 28 Place%: 44
Last start finished last in a 1600m gallop at Flemington and prior to that finished 5th in the Herbert Power Stakes over 2400m. Was building nicely towards the Melbourne Cup and under a light weight could be in your exotics.
24. SHOCKLETZ - TAB Odds: $9.50 Form: 64162 Career: 20: 7-4
Career Win%: 35 Place%: 55
Lightly weighted New Zealand mare who last start finished second in the Tesio Stakes at this track over 2040m in an excellent Cup trial. Definitely one to keep in mind for your exotics and it wouldn't surprise to see Shockletz take the chocolates.