Melbourne Cup Betting Guide

Few sporting events around the world have the power to stop an entire nation. However, the Melbourne Cup is one of those events. You can learn more about the most prestigious Australian race on the calendar below.

Melbourne Cup Event Details


The Melbourne Cup is a Group 1, which is run at Flemington Racecourse annually on the first Tuesday in November. Horses that are able to enter the famous race are three years old and older.


It is run on a turf surface and covers a distance of 2 miles. At present, there is a prize purse of A$8 million, which makes it one of the world’s richest turf races.

Melbourne Cup Preview


The declarations for the 2021 Melbourne Cup will not be made until later in the year. However, the leading sportsbooks already offer prices on the runners that could be lining up for the race. But, which horses could be looking to emulate the past glories of Makybe Diva, Think Big, and Peter Pan?


  • Prince Of Arran

  • Tiger Moth

  • Tarnawa

  • One Ruler

  • Kilcruit


Prince Of Arran is the current horse at the top of the betting for the Melbourne Cup. The eight-year-old made his season reappearance at Ascot in late April, but he finished eleven lengths behind Stradivarius in the G3 Sagaro Stakes. It is likely that connections will be targeting a second attempt at the Melbourne Cup after he finished three-quarters of a length behind Twilight Payment in 2020. He hasn’t won in three starts since that defeat, but he has often come up short against revered stars, such as Stradivarius and Enable.


Tiger Moth finished second in the Melbourne Cup last year, and it looks almost certain that he will be heading back to Flemington for trainer Aidan O’Brien. The four-year-old finished just half a length behind Twilight Payment last year and looks set to return to a longer distance after a disappointing eighth in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at Curragh in May. The colt has won two from five starts but has placed on all but one of his starts on the track.


Tarnawa’s global domination looks set to continue in 2021, and she recorded wins in Ireland, France, and the United States last year. Her most eye-catching win came in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf, as she beat Magical by a length. That was her third straight Group 1 success last season, after previously winning the Qatar Prix Vermeille and Prix de l’Opera Longines.


One Ruler and Kilcruit could be the two more interesting selections at the top of the betting. Godolphin owns One Ruler, and they will be looking for a huge third global success after already having winners in the Epsom Derby and Belmont Stakes this year. However, One Ruler has come up short on both previous runs, including his sixth place in the Epsom Derby.


Willie Mullins has so often been the trainer to call upon over the jumps, but he has a realistic hope in the Melbourne Cup this year. Kilcruit was second in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival before he claimed the G1 Champion INH Flat Race at Punchestown the following month.


Melbourne Cup Event Information


The Melbourne Cup is the most famous horse racing in Australia, as fans race to television on the first Tuesday of November to watch the race. It has been an important race on the calendar since being introduced in 1861. Only five previous winners of the race have achieved multiple victories. Makybe Diva is the most successful horse in the history of the race, as she won three times between 2003 and 2005. Think Big, Archer, Peter Pan, and Rain Lover have all won on two occasions.


Bobby Lewis and Harry White are tied for the most wins as a jockey, as they have both recorded four victories. Bart Cummings is the most successful trainer, as he has had the winner of the Melbourne Cup on 12 occasions. Michelle Payne made history in 2015 by becoming the first female jockey to win the race. Kingston Rule is the speed record holder, as he won the famous race in 3:16.30 in 1990.

Melbourne Cup Betting Information


The Melbourne Cup is one of the biggest betting races of the year and captivates fans from around the globe. Below, you can find some of the betting markets that you can make bets on for the huge race.


  • Win: The most popular way to place a bet on the Melbourne Cup is to place a wager on the horse that will win the Group 1.

  • Place: Place betting is also prominent with the race. Some sportsbooks could offer up to four places for the prestigious race.

  • Exacta: Exacta betting is extremely difficult when it comes to the Melbourne Cup. However, gamblers that think they can predict the first two home can make a wager.