Melbourne Cup 2024 runner-by-runner preview & tips | November 5

Vauban

T: Willie Mullins

J: William Buick

• Age: 7YO
• Color: Chestnut
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Galiway (GB)
• Dam: Waldfest (GB)

Vauban 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

1. Vauban (11)

7yo G | T: Willie Mullins | J: William Buick (55.5kg)

Willie Mullins brings 2023 Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban back for another crack at the great race, and following a rough showing 12 months prior, could it be a second time lucky for the European gun? Since his run in last year’s Cup, the son of Galiway has hardly run a poor race back home and has chased home superstar stayers Kyprios in two of his last four starts. He was last seen finishing second, beaten 2.3 lengths behind Kyprios in Group 1 company, which stands out like a sore thumb here. He only carries 0.5kg more than last year and from barrier 11, look for William Buick to have him settled midfield with cover throughout. He would prefer a Soft track, but on class alone, he is a deserving favourite and will be hard to beat.

Buckaroo

T: Chris Waller

J: Joao Moreira (54.5kg)

• Age: 6YO
• Color: Bay
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Fastnet Rock
• Dam: Roheryn (IRE)

Buckaroo 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

2. Buckaroo (21)

6yo G | T: Chris Waller | J: Joao Moreira (54.5kg)

Buckaroo brings obviously the best form to the Melbourne Cup in terms of the local brigade, but the real question will be whether he can see out the two miles? He answered the queries around his ability to see out the 2400m when running on strongly to finish second behind Duke De Sessa in the Caulfield Cup. His chances were dealt a massive blow on Saturday though when drawing barrier 21, so ‘Magic Man’ Joao Moreira will need to be at his best to make sure he isn’t too far back in the field and forced to sustain a long sprint. Because of that, he is one of the easiest Melbourne Cup favourites in recent times to take on, in fact, a top-four finish looks unlikely.

Circle Of Fire

T: Ciaron Maher

J: Mark Zahra

• Age: 5YO
• Color: Bay
• Sex: Horse
• Sire: Almanzor (FR)
• Dam: Fiery Sunset (GB)

Circle Of Fire 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

3. Circle Of Fire (24)

5yo Horse | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Mark Zahra (54.5kg)

Circle Of Fire could be poised to strike in this year’s Melbourne Cup. The Ciaron Maher-trained stayer won the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) fourth-up into his autumn campaign early this year and comes to this fourth-up some seven months later. He was arguably going better back then than what he is at the moment, but his proven ability to stay the trip cannot be underestimated in a field like this. Barrier 24 is offset by his want to settle towards the rear of the field, but Mark Zahra will need a back to follow into the race approaching the 800m mark. If the pair are afforded that luxury, you could do worse than to have something each-way at the +900 quote with Playup.

Warp Speed (3)

T: Noboru Takagi

J: Akira Sugawara

• Age: 6YO
• Color: Bay
• Sex: Horse
• Sire: Drefong (USA)
• Dam: Deep Love (JPN)

Warp Speed 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

4. Warp Speed (3)

6yo H | T: Noboru Takagi | J: Akira Sugawara (54.5kg)

The sole Japanese runner in the race, Warp Speed, will appreciate getting back on top of the ground after seemingly struggling on a softer surface in the Caulfield Cup. He has been aimed at the Melbourne Cup for some time, and Noboru Takagi and his stable will have him raring to go on the first Tuesday in November. He draws barrier three and will gain a cosy run in transit, but it all depends whether he can compete with some of the more fancied runners here and there is doubts.

Kovalica

T: Chris Waller

J: Damian Lane (53.5kg)

• Age: 5YO
• Color: Bay
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Ocean Park (NZ)
• Dam: Vitesse (NZ)

Kovalica 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

5. Kovalica (17)

5yo G | T: Chris Waller | J: Damian Lane (53.5kg)

Chris Waller opts to put the blinkers on 2023 Queensland Derby winner Kovalica and they should be the ideal gear change for him. Since his win in the Derby of May last year, the son of Ocean Park has yet to find his way into the winners stall since. He hardly runs a bad race, and his closing sectionals in the Cox Plate when well-beaten and everything else he has shown suggests he will see out the 3200m. He has become a bit of a non-winner and he will be hitting the line strongly, so perhaps throw him in a trifecta or first-four bet.

Sharp ‘N’ Smart

T: Graeme & Deborah Rogerson

J:Michael Dee

• Age: 5YO
• Color: Bay
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Redwood (GB)
• Dam: Queen Margaret (NZ)

Sharp ‘N’ Smart 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

6. Sharp ‘N’ Smart (15)

5yo G | T: Graeme & Deborah Rogerson | J: Michael Dee (53.5kg)

Sharp ‘N’ Smart is a ridiculous price with horse betting sites. The Graeme & Deborah Rogerson-trained Kiwi has had plenty of excuses this campaign, but can turn it all around at a +7000 quote on Tuesday. He struggles on wet ground, which is what he faced at his first three runs this campaign, before finding the bright lights at Moonee Valley a bit too much in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup. It could all be coming together nicely at Flemington. A NZ Derby winner at three over 2400m, he seemingly will get the trip and has the ability to settle closer to the speed than some. He may not win necessarily, but a top five or six bet with certain bookmakers could be the play at the right price.

Just Fine

T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott

J: Jye McNeil

• Age: 7YO
• Color: Bay
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Sea The Stars (IRE)
• Dam: Bint Almatar

Just Fine 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

7. Just Fine (13)

7yo G | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Jye McNeil (53kg)

Just Fine booked his spot in the Melbourne Cup when running his rivals off their feet in The Bart Cummings (2520m) two runs ago when just hanging on and will look to do lead from the outset once again. He then backed it up with a stinker in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup when failing to beat a runner home. He is proven at 2400m and did win at 2520m two starts back, but the 3200m against some top-class stayers looks a stretch too far for Just Fine in the 2024 Melbourne Cup.

Land Legend

T: Chris Waller

J: Zac Purton (53kg)

• Age: 5YO
• Color: Chestnut
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Galileo (IRE)
• Dam: Landikusic (IRE)

Land Legend 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

8. Land Legend (18)

5yo G | T: Chris Waller | J: Zac Purton (53kg)

Land Legend was victorious in the Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap two runs back and backed it up with a third-place finish in the Caulfield Cup last time out. He simply never settled when racing along the rail with Zac Purton forced to come off the rail 900m to give him the clear air he desired. He should race much nicer on Tuesday having drawn barrier 18, and should have clear air whenever he pleases. Despite needing to make up five-lengths on Buckaroo, he looks more likely to see out the two miles, and is another who can be in the finish.

Absurde

T: Willie Mullins

J: Kerrin McEvoy

• Age: 7YO
• Color: Bay
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Fastnet Rock
• Dam: Incroyable (USA)

9. Absurde (7)

7yo G | T: Willie Mullins | J: Kerrin McEvoy (52.5kg)

The second of Willie Mullins’ pair, Absurde, also returns to Flemington chasing Melbourne Cup glory. The seven-year-old son of Fastnet Rock has been racing inconsistently in the UK with a win over the hurdles back in March and a win in Listed company on August 31 his best efforts. In between those runs came a 31-length defeat to Grosvenor Square who was expected to be hard to beat if he came to Flemington. There isn’t much star power in this year’s Cup field, so a forward showing is expected, and despite being a +900 fancy, he is another punter should be looking to take on.

Athabascan

T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton

J: Zac Lloyd (52kg)

• Age: 6YO
• Color: Bay
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Almanzor (FR)
• Dam: Alzubra (GB)

Athabascan 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

10. Athabascan (2)

6yo G | T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | J: Zac Lloyd (52kg)

Athabascan has eight lengths he needs to make up on the like of Land Legend and Zardozi from when they clashed in The Metropolitan two starts back and despite winning at Group 3 level last time out, the +4000 is far too short a quote for such an inconsistent runner.

Knight’s Choice (6)

T: John Symons & Sheila Laxon

J: Robbie Dolan

• Age: 5YO
• Color: Bay
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Extreme Choice
• Dam: Midnight Pearl

Knight’s Choice 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

11. Knight’s Choice (6)

5yo G | T: John Symons & Sheila Laxon | J: Robbie Dolan (51.5kg)

Knight’s Choice is +15000 for a reason. He has struggled massively throughout his four starts in Melbourne this time in and will be lucky to be beat a runner home in this year’s Melbourne Cup.

Okita Soushi

T: Ciaron Maher

J: Jamie Kah

• Age: 7YO
• Color: Bay
• Sex: Horse
• Sire: Galileo (IRE)
• Dam: Amicus

More Felons 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

12. Okita Soushi (10)

7yo H | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Jamie Kah (51kg)

Last-start Moonee Valley Gold Cup winner Okita Soushi beat a handful of his rivals when they last clashed and has to be respected on that fact alone. However, a deeper dive will see he gained every favour in running that night and was aided by a gun ride from Billy Egan. He will likely roll forward under Jamie Kah and will look to settle alongside Just Fine on just off him. The 3200m might see him out if forced to do all the chasing, but a top-four finish wouldn’t shock entirely.

Onesmoothoperator

T: Brian Ellison

J: Craig Williams (51kg)

• Age: 7YO
• Color: Bay
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Dialed In (USA)
• Dam: Sueno D’oro

Onesmoothoperator 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

13. Onesmoothoperator (12)

7yo Gelding | T: Brian Ellison | J: Craig Williams (51kg)

Onesmoothoperator was utterly dominant in his Australian debut when saluting in the Group 3 Geelong Cup on October 23. The seven-year-old gelding was forced to sustain a long run and did so with ease going on to win by 2.3 despite pulling up lame post-race. With that in mind and a cut heel almost derailing his Melbourne Cup hopes, Onesmoothoperator could be a bit vulnerable on Tuesday. Having said that, if he produces anything close to what he put forward at Geelong, then the 3200m should not be an issue and his turn of foot will take him a long way in this year’s Melbourne Cup.

Zardozi (4)

T: James Cummings

J: Andrea Atzeni

• Age: 4YO
• Color: Bay
• Sex: Mare
• Sire: Kingman (GB)
• Dam: Chanderi (GB)

Zardozi 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

14. Zardozi (4)

4yo M | T: James Cummings | J: Andrea Atzeni (51kg)

Our on top selection for the 2024 Melbourne Cup is Zardozi. The James Cummings-trained mare should have won the Metropolitan three runs back when nosed out of it by Land Legend, and then had plenty of excuses when finishing fourth in the Caulfield Cup. She seemingly didn’t handle Caulfield and copped an almighty bump just as she building through her gears. James Cummings has undertaken his grandfather Bart’s theory in racing Zardozi on a three-day backup after an eye-catching run in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m). She will be rock-hard fit and Sydney Cup-winning hoop Andrea Atzeni sticking on board will be given every chance in running from a midfield spot from barrier four. If Zardozi brings her best, she is the one to beat.

Sea King

T: Harry Eustace

J: Hollie Doyle (50kg)

• Age: 6YO
• Color: Brown
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Sea The Stars (IRE)
• Dam: Pamona (IRE)

Sea King 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

15. Sea King (1)

6yo G | T: Harry Eustace | J: Hollie Doyle (50.5kg)

Sea King could not have been anymore impressive when saluting in the Bendigo Cup and on the six-day backup cannot be dismissed in the Melbourne Cup. Harry Eustace has had this race pencilled in a long way out for this son of Sea The Stars and the ease of which he disposed of a strong Bendigo Cup field has him right in the mix on Tuesday. Barrier one is a slight concern considering how keen he was underneath runners on his Australian debut, but if Hollie Doyle can have him one off the rail as they leave the home straight, Sea King will be in this for a long way.

Valiant King

T: Chris Waller

J: Craig Newitt

• Age: 5YO
• Color: Grey
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Roaring Lion (USA)
• Dam: Assembly

Valiant King 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

16. Valiant King (22)

5yo G | T: Chris Waller | J: Craig Newitt (50.5kg)

Valiant King simply is not going good enough this campaign to be featured in the finish on Tuesday. He finished 16/16 first-up defeated 13.8 lengths, finished seven lengths off Via Sistina in the Turnbull Stakes and finished midfield beaten 13.2 lengths in a Caulfield Cup. Group 1 company over 3200m hardly looks like his recipe for success.

Fancy Man

T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald

J: Ron Stewart

• Age: 7YO
• Color: Bay
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Pride Of Dubai
• Dam: Fancy (IRE)

Fancy Man 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

17. Fancy Man (19)

7yo G | T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | J: Ron Stewart (50kg)

Fancy Man is another at a big price who is set to struggle on Tuesday. The seven-year-old gelding was defeated 9.7 lengths in the Caulfield Cup when given every chance from a low draw. He draws out wide in barrier 19 and risks being caught three wide the trip. Expect a bigger price than +8000 to be bet on Tuesday.

Interpretation

T: Ciaron Maher

J: Teo Nugent

• Age: 7YO
• Color: Brown
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Galileo (IRE)
• Dam: Daldiyna (FR)

Interpretation 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

18. Interpretation (14)

7yo G | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Teo Nugent (50kg)

Back for his third crack at the Melbourne Cup, Interpretation is arguably going as well as ever. He hit the line powerfully in The Bart Cummings and backed it up with a similar performance in the Geelong Cup to suggest he is ready for the two-mile trip once more. Teo Nugent will likely need a touch of luck to find some cover from barrier 14 and attempt to find a midfield spot, because the son of Galileo only has a short sharp sprint. If he can gain a tow into the race, the +1600 looks a juicy price, but if he has to sustain a long run, others will prove strong late in the piece.

Manzoice (8)

T: Chris Waller

J: Declan Bates

• Age: 5YO
• Color: Bay
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Almanzor (FR)
• Dam: Choice (NZ)

Manzoice 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

19. Manzoice (8)

5yo G | T: Chris Waller | J: Declan Bates (50kg)

Much like his stablemate Kovalica, the Chris Waller-trained Manzoice has found winning hard in recent times. The five-year-old has not won since his 2022 VRC Derby win and has struggled in similar company to this field. He needs to overturn a 4.7 length defeat in The Bart Cummings and a 3.6 length defeat in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup, and despite being in the right barn, it is still to big of an ask.

Mostly Cloudy (16)

T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young

J: Karis Teetan

• Age: 6YO
• Color: Bay
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Harzand (IRE)
• Dam: Clarinda (FR)

Mostly Cloudy 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

20. Mostly Cloudy (16)

6yo G | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: Karis Teetan (50kg)

Mostly Cloudy hardly runs a poor race, but that is exactly what he put forward in The Bart Cummings when finding a truly run 2520m a bit too hard. This is likely going to be a stronger test and despite just 50kg on his back, Mostly Cloudy will be gasping for air a long way out.

Positivity (20)

T: Andrew Forsman

J: Winona Costin

• Age: 4YO
• Color: Bay/Brown
• Sex: Mare
• Sire: Almanzor (FR)
• Dam: Pussy O’Reilly (NZ)

Positivity 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

21. Positivity (20)

4yo M | T: Andrew Forsman | J: Winona Costin (50kg)

Since stepping up past 2000m, the Andrew Forsman-trained Positivity has struggled to have much of an impact. She showed some good signs when chasing home Just Fine in the Bart Cummings, but was beaten a long way when disappointing in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup on October 25. A sharp form reversal is required, so the +10000 on offer looks about right.

Saint George (9)

T: Ciaron Maher

J: Tyler Schiller

• Age: 5YO
• Color: Grey
• Sex: Horse
• Sire: Roaring Lion (USA)
• Dam: Lady Dragon (IRE)

Saint George 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

22. Saint George (9)

5yo H | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Tyler Schiller (50kg)

Saint George has continually put in eye-catching performances in his four runs this campaign, and despite not winning, cannot be discounted in the 2024 Melbourne Cup. The five-year-old trainer by Ciaron Maher was hitting the line as well as anything in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup and seemingly would have finished closer if it wasn’t his first look at the track. He returns to Flemington, albeit the track he put in his worst performance at this campaign, but the step up to 3200m at this stage of his prep looks perfect. Tyler Schiller will have him settled midfield with cover and if he can replicate his finish from last time out, he is certainly a trifecta hope at a big price.

The Map

T: Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray

J: Rachel King

• Age: 6YO
• Color: Bay
• Sex: Mare
• Sire: Alpine Eagle
• Dam: This Moment

The Map 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

23. The Map (23)

6yo M | T: Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray | J: Rachel King (50kg)

When The Map booked her ticket into the Cup when winning the Ramsden Stakes earlier in the year, the world was her oyster. However, the six-year-old mare has hardly caught fire in four runs this campaign and was well held when beaten five-lengths in the Geelong Cup by Onesmoothoperator. Barrier 23 is far from ideal as well, and it would be a surprise if The Map started shorter than the +4000 she opened at post barrier draw.

Trust In You

T: Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley

J: Mark Du Plessis (51kg)

• Age: 6YO
• Color: Brown
• Sex: Gelding
• Sire: Sweynesse
• Dam: Shinko Bay

Trust In You 2024 Melbourne Cup Odds

24. Trust In You (5)

6yo G | T: Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley | J: Mark Du Plessis (50kg)

Despite an eye-catching run in the Metropolitan two runs back, Trust In You is a deserved rank outsider in the Melbourne Cup. He finished 2.4-lengths off Athabascan last time out and simply needs everything to go his way if he is to be fighting out for even a top 10 finish.