How do you whittle down more than 100 strong contenders into a 24-horse field for the Melbourne Cup?
The order of entry for the race that stops the nation holds the answers.
To gain entry into the final field of contenders for Australia’s most iconic racing prize and more than $6 million in prize money, a number of criteria must be met.
In addition to the criteria we will list below, there are also four big staying races each spring that provide direct qualification for the winner.
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2023 Melbourne Cup order of entry
| Order | Horse | Age | Weight | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne Cup ballot exempt horses as of October 30, 2023: 3 | ||||
| 1 | Without A Fight (IRE) | |||
| 2 | Absurde (FR) | |||
| 3 | Future History (GB) | |||
| Passed 2023 Melbourne Cup ballot clause as of October 24, 2023: 28 | ||||
| 4 | Gold Trip (FR) | |||
| 5 | Alenquer (FR) | |||
| 6 | Breakup (JPN) | |||
| 7 | Vauban (FR) | |||
| 8 | Soulcombe (GB) | |||
| 9 | Vow And Declare | |||
| 10 | Right You Are | |||
| 11 | Magical Lagoon (IRE) | |||
| 12 | Virtuous Circle (NZ) | |||
| 13 | Lastotchka (FR) | |||
| 14 | Cleveland (IRE) | |||
| 15 | Sheraz (FR) | |||
| 16 | Daqiansweet Junior (NZ) | |||
| 17 | Valiant King (GB) | |||
| 18 | Ashrun (FR) | |||
| 19 | Okita Soushi (IRE) | |||
| 20 | Military Mission (IRE) | |||
| 21 | King Frankel (IRE) | |||
| 22 | Serpentine (IRE) | |||
| 23 | More Felons (IRE) | |||
| 24 | True Marvel (FR) | |||
| 25 | Ladies Man | |||
| 26 | Athabascan (FR) | |||
| 27 | United Nations | |||
| 28 | Fancy Man (IRE) | |||
| 29 | Hasta La War | |||
| 30 | Kalapour (IRE) | |||
| 31 | Interpretation (IRE) | |||
| Not Passed Melbourne Cup first ballot clause as of October 30, 2023: 1 | ||||
| 32 | Mostly Cloudy (IRE) | |||
Qualifying criteria for the 2023 Melbourne Cup
Eligibility for prospective Melbourne Cup horses is determined by performances in past races.
Victory in certain prestigious races grants a special privilege known as “ballot exemption.” This means that the winning horse automatically secures a spot in the Melbourne Cup without the need to go through the full nominations process.
The following events offer ballot exemption to their winners, granting them a direct entry into the illustrious Melbourne Cup: Lexus Stakes, Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup, The Bart Cummings, Roy Higgins Quality, Andrew Ramsden Stakes, and the Ebor Handicap.
In addition to these domestic races, winners of select international competitions receive an invitation to participate in the Melbourne Cup. These races include the Arlington Million in the USA, the San Juan Capistrano Handicap, the Doncaster Cup in the UK, the Irish St. Leger, and the Tenno Sho and Sankei Sho in Japan.
In a recent update to the 2023 Melbourne Cup rules, any horse that finishes in the top positions in a “golden ticket race” or achieves a place in any Group 1 race covering distances of 2000m or more will bypass the first round of selection for this iconic race that captures the hearts of racing enthusiasts worldwide.
Races that provide automatic entry into the 2023 Melbourne Cup
- The Bart Cummings – October 7, 2023:
A Group three event held on Turnbull Stakes day at Flemington, The Bart Cummings is the first opportunity in the spring for a horse to lock away a spot in the race that stops a nation.The year 2015 was the first time the Bart Cummings was listed as a ballot-exempted race, which has increased the profile of the event ten-fold. In 2016 eventual Melbourne Cup winner Almandin gained entry into the race via the Bart Cummings.
- Caulfield Cup – October 14, 2023:The first of Melbourne’s big-three races of the spring, the Group One Caulfield Cup, which is typically run just shy of three weeks in advance of the Melbourne Cup, has routinely been a launching pad for an assault on the main event of Australian racing.Doing the Caulfield/Melbourne Cup is a rarity in racing given only 11 horses in history have completed it. The last horse to complete the Caulfield/Melbourne Cup double was Ethereal in 2001.
- Cox Plate – October 28, 2023:The Cox Plate is one of, if not the most prestigious race of the Australian spring racing carnival and also serves as a direct qualifier for the Melbourne Cup.Run over 2040 metres at the Moonee Valley race track, the Cox Plate assembles the best long and middle-distance runners from around the world.Just six horses have completed the Cox Plate/Melbourne Cup double in the last 100 years — three-time Melbourne Cup winner, Makybe Diva, being the last to do so in 2005.
No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Odds 1 
Gold Trip Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Mark Zahra 14 57.5kg $13 2 
Duais Edward Cummings Hugh Bowman 10 55.5kg $21 3 
Knights Order Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 24 55.5kg $21 4 
Montefilia David Payne Jason Collett 11 55.5kg $11 5 
Numerian Annabel Neasham Tommy Berry 7 55.5kg $61 6 
Without A Fight Simon & Ed Crisford William Buick 18 55.5kg $11 7 
Camorra Ben & JD Hayes Ben Melham 17 55kg $41 8 
Deauville Legend James Ferguson Kerrin McEvoy 9 55kg $3.80 9 
Stockman Joseph Pride Sam Clipperton 2 54kg $34 10 
Vow And Declare Danny O’Brien Blake Shinn 4 54kg $18 11 
Young Werther Danny O’Brien Damian Lane 21 54kg $26 12 
Hoo Ya Mal Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Craig Williams 15 53.5kg $21 13 
Serpentine Robert Hickmott John Allen 23 53.5kg $61 14 
Daqiansweet Junior Phillip Stokes Daniel Moor 13 53kg $51 15 
Grand Promenade Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Harry Coffey 1 53kg $61 16 
Arapaho Bjorn Baker Rachel King 19 52.5kg $101 17 
Emissary Mike Moroney Patrick Moloney 3 51.5kg $21 18 
Lunar FlareGrahame BeggMichael Dee1251.5kg$2119 
Smokin’ Romans Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Jamie Kah 16 51.5kg $21 20 
Tralee Rose Symon Wilde Dean Yendall 22 51kg $101 21 
Point NepeanRobert HickmottWayne Lordan2051kg$7122 
High Emocean Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Teo Nugent 8 50kg $51 23 
Interpretation Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Craig Newitt 6 50kg $41 24 
Realm Of Flowers Anthony & Sam Freedman Damien Thornton 5 50kg $15 Order Horse Age Weight Trainer Melbourne Cup ballot exempt horses as of October 28, 2019 : 3 1 MER DE GLACE (JPN) 5 56 Hisashi Shimizu 2 SURPRISE BABY (NZ) 5 52.5 Paul Preusker 3 STEEL PRINCE (IRE) 6 52.5 Anthony Freedman Passed 2019 Melbourne Cup ballot clause as of October 28, 2019 : 39 4 CROSS COUNTER (GB) 5 57.5 Charlie Appleby 5 MARMELO (GB) 7 56.0 Hughie Morrison 6 MIRAGE DANCER (GB) 6 55.5 T Busuttin & N Young 7 SOUTHERN FRANCE (IRE) 5 55.5 C Maher & D Eustace 8 CONSTANTINOPLE (IRE) 4 52.5 D Hayes, B Hayes & T Dabernig 9 MASTER OF REALITY (IRE) 5 55.5 Joseph O’Brien 10 IL PARADISO (USA) 4 52.5 Aidan O’Brien 11 LATROBE (IRE) 5 55.0 Joseph O’Brien 12 ANGEL OF TRUTH 4 53.5 Gwenda Markwell 13 MUSTAJEER (GB) 7 55.0 Kris Lees 14 HUNTING HORN (IRE) 5 55.0 Aidan O’Brien 15 ROSTROPOVICH (IRE) 5 55.0 D Hayes, B Hayes & T Dabernig 16 ISPOLINI (GB) 5 55.0 Charlie Appleby 17 MAGIC WAND (IRE) 5 53.5 Aidan O’Brien 18 TWILIGHT PAYMENT (IRE) 7 55.0 Joseph O’Brien 19 PRINCE OF ARRAN (GB) 7 53.0 Charlie Fellowes 20 FINCHE (GB) 6 53.0 Chris Waller 21 RAYMOND TUSK (IRE) 5 54.0 Richard Hannon 22 VOW AND DECLARE 4 52.0 Danny O’Brien 23 YOUNGSTAR 5 52.0 Chris Waller 24 NEUFBOSC (FR) 5 53.5 D Hayes, B Hayes & T Dabernig 25 SOUND (GER) 7 53.5 Michael Moroney 26 THE CHOSEN ONE (NZ) 4 51.5 M Baker & A Forsman 27 DOWNDRAFT (IRE) 5 53.5 Joseph O’Brien 28 PATRICK ERIN (NZ) 8 53.0 Chris Waller 29 TRUE SELF (IRE) 7 51.5 Willie Mullins 30 RAHEEN HOUSE (IRE) 6 53.0 William Haggas 31 SIR CHARLES ROAD 6 52.5 L O’Sullivan & A Scott 32 GALLIC CHIEFTAIN (FR) 7 52.5 Archie Alexander 33 RED GALILEO (GB) 9 52.5 Saeed bin Suroor 34 DAL HARRAILD (GB) 7 52.5 C Maher & D Eustace 35 GREY LION (IRE) 8 52.5 Matthew Smith 36 HAKY (IRE) 6 52.0 John Hammond 37 BRIMHAM ROCKS (GB) 6 51.5 Chris Waller 38 AZURO (FR) 6 50.5 C Maher & D Eustace 39 HUSH WRITER (JPN) 5 50.0 G Waterhouse & A Bott 40 VALAC (IRE) 8 50.0 D Hayes, B Hayes & T Dabernig 41 SULLY (NZ) 5 50.0 T Busuttin & N Young 42 WALL OF FIRE (IRE) 7 50.0 C Maher & D Eustace Order Horse/Trainer Age Weight $ Since Date Details Race Melbourne Cup ballot exempt horses as of 29 October, 2018 : 2 1 BEST SOULTION (IRE) (Saeed bin Suroor) 5 57.5 EXEMPT 20/10/2018 1st G1 2400m Caulfield Cup 2 AVILIUS (GB) (James Cummings) 5 54.5 (inc 1.5 pen) EXEMPT 06/10/2018 1st G3 2500m Bart Cummings Passed 2018 Melbourne Cup first ballot clause as of 29 October, 2018 : 42 3 ACE HIGH (David Payne) 4 55.0 $1,290,000 4/11/2017 1st G1 2500m VRC Derby 4 THECLIFFSOFMOHOR (IRE) (Aidan O’Brien) 5 56.5 $991,303 20/10/2018 3rd G1 2400m Caulfield Cup 5 MAGIC CIRCLE (IRE) (Ian Williams) 7 56.0 $68,751 24/05/2018 1st G3 3240m Henry II Stakes UK 6 WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (NZ) (Chris Waller) 10 55.5 $2,136,375 14/04/2018 1st G1 3200m Sydney Cup 7 TOSEN BASIL (JPN) (Darren Weir) 7 54.0 $850,087 10/12/2017 3rd G1 2400m Hong Kong Case HK 8 MUNTAHAA (IRE) (John Gosden) 6 55.5 $597,428 25/08/2018 1st Ebor 2800m Ebor Handicap UK 9 CHESTNUT COAT (JPN) (Yoshito Yahagi) 5 55.5 $481,356 24/03/2018 2nd G2 2500m Nikkei Sho JPN 10 SOUND CHECK (GRE) (Michael Moroney) 6 55.5 $198,960 12/08/2018 2nd G1 2400m Grosser Preis von Berlin GER 11 ROSTROPOVICH (IRE) (Aidan O’Brien) 4 51.0 $671,328 30/06/2018 2nd G1 2400m Irish Derby IRE 12 MARMELO (GB) (Hughie Morrison) 6 55.0 $459,796 14/07/2018 1st G2 2800m Prix de Maurice de Nieuil FR 13 CROSS COUNTER (GB) (Charlie Appleby) 4 51.0 $210,625 4/08/2018 1st G3 2414m Gordon Stakes UK 14 YOUNGSTAR (Chris Waller) 4 51.5 $497,361 26/05/2018 1st G1 2200m Queensland Oaks 15 DURETTO (GB) (Andrew Balding) 7 54.5 $307,736 12/07/2018 3rd G2 2400m Prince Of Wales’s Stakes UK 16 YUCATAN (IRE) (Aidan O’Brien) 5 54.5 (inc 2.5kg pen) $249,724 14/10/2018 1st G2 2400m Herbert Power Stakes 17 VENGEUR MASQUE (IRE) (Michael Moroney) 7 54.0 $430,500 11/11/2017 1st G3 2600m Queen Elizabeth Stakes 18 VENTURA STORM (IRE) (Hayes, Hayes and Dabernig) 6 54.0 $367,400 27/10/2018 1st G2 2500m Moonee Valley Gold Cup 19 RED CARDINAL (IRE) (Darren Weir) 7 54.0 $364,171 14/05/2017 1st G2 3200m Oleander-Rennen GER 20 AUVRAY (FR) (Richard Freedman) 8 54.0 $245,550 23/09/2017 1st G3 2400m Colin Stephens Quality 21 RED VERDON (USA) (Ed Dunlop) 6 54.0 $225,096 23/06/2018 2nd G2 2400m Hardwicke Stakes UK 22 FINCHE (GB) (Andre Fabre) 5 54.0 $113,007 5/08/2018 1st G3 2500m Prix du Reux FR 23 RUNAWAY (Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott) 4 50.5 (inc 1.5kg pen) $394,300 24/10/2018 1st G3 2400m Geelong Cup 24 ZACADA (NZ) (Baker and Forsman) 6 53.0 $506,933 14/04/2018 2nd G1 3200m Sydney Cup 25 SIR CHARLES ROAD (O’Sullivan and Scott) 5 53.0 $487,354 7/04/2018 1st G2 2600m ATC Chairmans Hcp 26 NAKEETA (GB) (Iain Jardine) 8 53.0 $479,363 28/10/2017 5th G1 3200m Melbourne Cup 27 SOLE IMPACT (JPN) (Hirofumi Toda) 7 53.0 $391,760 17/02/2018 3rd G3 3400m Diamond Stakes JPN 28 MISS ADMIRATION (JPN) (Mick Price) 4 50.0 $182,000 22/09/2018 1st G3 2400m Colin Stephens Quality 29 A PRINCE OF ARRAN (GB) (Charlie Fellows) 6 53.0 $155,662 14/10/2018 3rd G2 2400m Herbert Power Stakes 30 LIBRAN (IRE) (Chris Waller) 8 53.0 $54,000 28/10/2017 2nd G2 2500m Moonee Valley Gold Cup 31 TRAP FOR FOOLS (Jarrod McLean) 5 53.0 $90,000 27/10/2018 2nd G2 2500m Moonee Valley Gold Cup 32 PRIZE MONEY (GB) (Saeed bin Suroor) 6 52.5 $625,389 4/03/2017 1st G2 2400m Dubai City of Gold UAE 33 GALLIC CHIEFTAIN (FR) (Darren Weir) 5 52.5 $405,125 25/10/2017 2nd G3 2400m Geelong Cup 34 LORD FANDANGO (GER) (Archie Alexander) 6 52.5 $405,125 14/10/2017 1st G2 2400m Herbert Power Stakes 35 MEGABLAST (NZ) (Darren Weir) 6 52.5 $162,986 30/06/2018 1st LR 2400m Caloundra Cup 36 DAL HARRAILD (GB) (Maher and Eustace) 6 52.5 $119,263 14/07/2018 2nd G3 2780m Silver Cup UK 37 WALL OF FIRE (IRE) (Maher and Eustace) 6 52.5 $94,131 14/10/2017 2nd G2 2400m Herbert Power Handicap 38 PATRICK ERIN (Chris Waller) 7 52 (inc 2kg pen) $435,500 29/09/2018 2nd G1 2400m Metropolitan Handicap 39 RISING RED (NZ) (Busuttin and Young) 5 51.0 $167,695 4/03/2017 2nd G1 2400m New Zealand Derby NZ 40 NORTHWEST PASSAGE (Waterhouse and Bott) 5 50.5 $154,000 24/10/2018 2nd G3 2400m Geelong Cup 41 BRIMHAM ROCKS (Chris Waller) 5 50.5 $213,000 29/09/2018 2nd G1 2400m Metropolitan Handicap 42 YOGI (NZ) (Darren Weir) 6 50.0 $123,315 6/10/2018 3rd G3 2500m Bart Cummings 43 JAAMEH (GER) (Hayes, Hayes and Dabernig) 6 50.0 $54,000 1/06/2018 2nd G2 2500m Bart Cummings 44 MIDTERM (GB) (Liam Howley) 6 50.0 $36,834 20/05/2017 2nd G3 2400m Ascot Park Stakes UK Benchmark
3YO C&G 50.0kg; 3YO Filly 48.5KG; 4YO E&G 58.0kg; 4YO Mare 56.5kg; 5YO+ E&G 59.5kg; 5YO+ Mare 58.0kg
Minumium Handicap Weight
3YO – 49.0kg
4YO&Up – 50.0kgMaximum Weight
There is no maximum weight
Minimum Weight
The top weight in any Group 1 handicap in Australia must not be less than 58kg when weights are released.
Weight Allowances
There are no weight allowances for Apprentices.
- FIRST ACCEPTANCESBy 12 NOON (Melbourne Time) TUESDAY 7 OCTOBER – Fee: $2,640
SECOND ACCEPTANCES
By 10.00 AM (Melbourne Time) MONDAY 27 OCTOBER – Fee: $4,620
FINAL ACCEPTANCES
By 4.30 PM (Melbourne Time) SATURDAY 1 NOVEMBER – Fee: $49,500
The 2014 Melbourne Cup final field will comprise 24 horses in order of entry.The conditions of the 2014 Melbourne Cup provide that the Directors may in their absolute discretion exclude any horse or horses from the race, whether the safety limit of 24 horses at final acceptance time shall be reached or not, and if such exclusion occurs, and more than 24 final acceptors remain, balloting of surplus horses will continue in the normal manner to its conclusion. The winner of the following, if any should be a nomination and a first, second and final acceptor for the 2014 Emirates Melbourne Cup, shall be exempt from any ballot on this race: 2014 VRC Lexus Stakes, 2014 VRC Longines Mackinnon Stakes, 2014 MVRC Cox Plate, and the 2014 MRC Caulfield Cup Subject always to the Directors’ absolute discretion, as stated, remaining final acceptors in excess of the safety limit of 24 horses shall be eliminated in the following order, until the safety limit is reached: Horses other than those that have registered a “Relevant Race Performance”, as set out below:
Relevant Race Performances- A) since 1 February 2013 inclusive, won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in an internationally recognised Group or Graded flat race run over 2300 metres or further; OR
- B) since 1 February 2013 inclusive, was placed 4th or 5th in an internationally recognised Group 1 or Grade 1 flat race run over 2300 metres or further in which horses older than 3 years old could run, OR
- C) since 1 February 2013 inclusive, won an internationally recognised Listed flat race run over 2300 metres or further, OR
- D) since 1 February 2013 inclusive, won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in the York Ebor (UK) or Champions & Chater Cup (HK), OR
- E) since 1 February 2013 inclusive, won the Northumberland Plate (UK), Cesarewitch (UK), or Queen Mother Memorial Cup (HK), OR
- F) was placed 6th, 7th or 8th in the 2014 MRC Caulfield Cup, OR
- G) was placed 2nd or 3rd in the 2014 MVRC Cox Plate, OR
- H) was placed 2nd or 3rd in the 2014 VRC Mackinnon Stakes, OR
- I) won the 2014 VRC Turnbull Stakes, OR
- J) won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in the 2012 Emirates Melbourne Cup, OR
- K) won the 2012 Caulfield Cup
Order Of Entry Horse Name Trainer Weight (kg) Benchmark (kg) Exempt From Ballot Fully Qualified First Acceptor Second Acceptor Final Acceptor Latest Odds $700 Free Bet 1 Admire Rakti (JPN) Tomoyuki Umeda
58.5 inc 0.5kg penalty -1.0 
$5 Bet Now 2 Green Moon (IRE) Robert Hickmott 57.0 -2.5 $51 Bet Now 3 Fawkner Robert Hickmott 57.0 -2.5 $10 Bet Now 4 Red Cadeaux(GB) Ed Dunlop 57.0 -2.5 $17 Bet Now 5 Calvaryman
(GB)Saeed bun Suroor 57.0 -2.5 $26 Bet Now 6 The Offer
(IRE)Gai Waterhouse 56.5 -3.0 $15 Bet Now 7 Protectionist
(GER)Andreas Wohler 56.5 -3.0 $6 Bet Now 8 Sea Moon
(IRE)Robert Hickmott 56.5 -3.0 $101 Bet Now 9 My Ambivalent
(IRE)Roger Varian 54.5 -3.5 $51 Bet Now 10 Lucia Valentina
(NZ)Kris Lees 53.0 -3.5 $6.50 Bet Now 11 Seismos
(IRE)Marco Botti 56.0 -3.5 $26 Bet Now 12 Royal Diamond
(IRE)Johnny Murtagh 55.0 -4.5 $41 Bet Now 13 Junoob
(GB)Chris Waller 55.0
inc 1.5kg penalty-4.5 $21 Bet Now 14 Who Shot Thebarman
(NZ)Chris Waller 55.0 ic 0.5kg penalty -4.5 $17 Bet Now 15 Mutual Regard
(IRE)Johnny Murtagh 55.0 -4.5 $11 Bet Now 16 Gatewood
(GB)John Gosden 55.0 -4.5 $51 Bet Now 17 Willing Foe (USA) Saeed bin Suroor 55.0 -4.5 $17 Bet Now 18 Precedence
(NZ)Bart and James Cummings 54.5 -5.0 $81 Bet Now 19 Brambles
(NZ)Peter Moody 54.0 -5.5 $21 Bet Now 20 Mr O’Ceirin
(NZ)Ciaron Maher 54.0 -5.5 $201 Bet Now 21 Opinion
(IRE)Chris Waller 53.5 -6.0 $41 Bet Now 22 Au Revoir
(IRE)Andre Fabre 53.5 -6.0 $31 Bet Now 23 Lidari
(FR)Peter Moody 53.5 -6.0 $34 Bet Now 24 Araldo
(GER)Michael Moroney 53.0 -6.5 $21 Bet Now 25 Unchain My Heart Hayes and Dabernig 51.5 -6.5 $351 Bet Now 26 Shoreham Saab Hasan 53.0 -6.5 $81 Bet Now 27 La Amistad Team Hawkes 51.5 -6.5 $51 Bet Now 28 Caravan Rolls On
(GB)Danny O’Brien 52.5 inc 1.5kg penalty -7.0 $34 Bet Now 29 Big Memory
(FR)Tony McEvoy 52.5 inc 2.0kg penalty -7.0 $26 Bet Now 30 Prince Of Penzance
(NZ)Darren Weir 52.5 inc 2.0kg penalty -7.0 $51 Bet Now 31 Lord Van Percy (GB) Andrew Balding 52.5 -7.0 $41 Bet Now 32 Noble Protector
(GB)Robert Smerdon 51.0 -7.0 $101 Bet Now 33 Let’s Make Adeal Nigel Blackiston 50.5 -7.5 $81 Bet Now 34 Marksmanship
(IRE)Ciaron Maher 50.5 -9.0 $151 Bet Now 35 Wish Come True
(IRE)Peter Moody 50.5 -9.0 $101 Bet Now 36 Like A Carousel Ken Keys 50.0 -9.5 $201 Bet Now 37 Signoff
(IRE)Dareen Weir 50.0 -9.5 $17 Bet Now 38 Amralah
(IRE)Robert Hickmott 54.5 -5.0 $41 Bet Now 39 Gris Caro
(GB)Jake Stephens 52.0 inc 2.0kg penalty -7.5 NA Bet Now 40 Thunderbird One
(NZ)Francis Finnegan 50.0 -9.5 $351 Bet Now Benchmark Weights
3YO C&G 50.0kg; 3YO Filly 48.5kg
4YO E&G 58.0kg; 4YO Mare 56.5kg
5YO+ E&G 59.5kg; 5YO+ Mare 58.0kgMinumium Handicap Weight
3YO – 49.0kg
4YO&Up – 50.0kgMaximum Weight
There is no maximum weight
Minimum Weight
The top weight in any Group 1 handicap in Australia must not be less than 58kg when weights are released.
Weight Allowances
There are no weight allowances for Apprentices.
FIRST ACCEPTANCES
By 12 NOON (Melbourne Time) TUESDAY 8 OCTOBER – Fee: $2,200
SECOND ACCEPTANCES
By 10.00 AM (Melbourne Time) MONDAY 28 OCTOBER – Fee: $3,850
FINAL ACCEPTANCES
By 4.30 PM (Melbourne Time) SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER – Fee: $49,500
The 2013 Melbourne Cup final field will comprise 24 horses in order of entry.The conditions of the 2013 Melbourne Cup provide that the VRC Board may in their absolute discretion exclude any horse or horses from the race, whether the safety limit of 24 horses at final acceptance time shall be reached or not, and if such exclusion occurs, and more than 24 final acceptors remain, balloting of surplus horses will continue in the normal manner to its conclusion.The winner of the following races shall be exempt from any ballot on the 2012 Melbourne Cup, 2013 VRC AAMI Victoria Derby, 2013 VRC Lexus Stakes, 2013 VRC Mackinnon Stakes, 2013 MVRC Cox Plate, 2013 MRC Caulfield Cup.Horses can become fully qualified and pass the first elimination clause for the 2013 Melbourne Cup by: placing in a Group (flat) race over 2300 metres or above since 1st February 2012; finishing in the top five in a Group 1 (flat) race for 3yr olds & up over a minimum distance of 2300 metres since 1st February 2012; becoming an international Listed (flat) race winner over 2300m or further since 1st February 2012; finishing in the the top 3 placings in the York Ebor (UK) or Champions & Chater Cup (HK) in 2012 or 2013; in 2012 or 2013 winning the Northumberland Plate (UK), Cesarewitch (UK), or Queen Mother Memorial Cup (HK); finishing in the top 8 placings of the Group 1 Caulfield Cup; finishing in the top 3 of either the Group 1 Cox Plate or the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes; winning the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes; placing in the 2011 Melbourne Cup; or winning the 2011 Caulfield Cup[/dt_list_item][/dt_list]
Order Of Entry Horse Name Trainer Weight (kg) Benchmark (kg) Exempt From Ballot Fully Qualified First Acceptor Second Acceptor Final Acceptor Latest Odds $650 Free Bet 1 Fawkner Robert Hickmott 54.5 inc 1.5kg penalty -5.0 $26 Bet Now 2 Ruscello (IRE) Ed Walker 50.0 -9.5 $34 Bet Now 3 Dunaden (FR) Mikel Delzangles 58.5 -1.0 $41 Bet Now 4 Green Moon (IRE) Robert Hickmott 57.5 -2.0 $41 Bet Now 5 Red Cadeaux (GB) Ed Dunlop 56.5 -3.0 $51 Bet Now 6 Sea Moon (IRE) Robert Hickmott 56.5 -3.0 $17 Bet Now 7 Super Cool Mark Kavanagh 54.5 -3.5 $41 Bet Now 8 Voleuse De Couers (IRE) Michael Moroney 54.0 -4.0 $13 Bet Now 9 Fiorente (IRE) Gai Waterhouse 55.0 -4.5 $6.50 Bet Now 10 Hawkspur Chris Waller 53.5 -4.5 $10 Bet Now 11 Tres Blue (IRE) Gai Waterhouse 51.0 -4.5 $19 Bet Now 12 Brown Panther (GB) Tom Dascombe 55.0 -4.5 $26 Bet Now 13 Foreteller (GB) Chris Waller 55.0 -4.5 $26 Bet Now 14 Ethiopia Pat Carey 54.5 -5.0 $101 Bet Now 15 Dandino (GB) Marco Botti 54.5 -5.0 $11 Bet Now 16 Verema (FR) Alain de Royer Dupre 53.0 -5.0 $13 Bet Now 17 Mourayan (IRE) Robert Hickmott 54.5 -5.0 $67 Bet Now 18 Seville (GER) Robert Hickmott 54.5 inc 1.0kg penalty -5.0 $17 Bet Now 19 Dear Demi Clarrie Conners 51.0 -5.5 $34 Bet Now 20 Silent Achiever Roger James 52.5 -5.5 $41 Bet Now 21 Mount Athos (IRE) Luca Cumani 54.0 -5.5 $9.00 Bet Now 22 Royal Empire (IRE) Saeed Bin Suroor 54.0 -5.5 $21 Bet Now 23 Masked Marvel (GB) Robert Hickmott 54.0 -5.5 $26 Bet Now 24 Simenon (IRE) Willie Mullins 53.5 -6.0 $21 Bet Now 25 Mr Moet Adam Durrant 53.5 -6.0 $151 Bet Now 26 Kelinni (IRE) Chris Waller 53.0 -6.5 $101 Bet Now 27 Ibicenco (GER) Peter Moody 53.0 inc 1.0kg penalty -6.5 $81 Bet Now 28 My Quest For Peace (IRE) Peter Moody 53.0 -6.5 $101 Bet Now 29 Moriarty (IRE) Chris Waller 53.0 -6.5 $51 Bet Now 30 Precedence (NZ) Bart Cummings 53.0 inc 1.0kg penalty -6.5 $67 Bet Now 31 Jet Away (GB) David Hayes 53.0 -6.5 $21 Bet Now 32 Mr O’Ceirin (NZ) Ciaron Maher 52.5 inc 0.5kg penalty -7.0 $101 Bet Now 33 Forgotten Voice (IRE) Nicky Henderson 52.5 -7.0 $151 Bet Now 34 Moudre Ciaron Maher 52.5 -7.0 $201 Bet Now 35 Julienas (IRE) Gai Waterhouse 52.0 -7.5 $151 Bet Now 36 Kingdoms (NZ) John O’Shea 50.0 -8.5 $201 Bet Now 37 Shoreham Saab Hasan 50.0 -8.5 $201 Bet Now 38 Araldo (GER) Michael Moroney 50.5 inc 0.5kg penalty -9.0 $81 Bet Now 39 Ironstein Gerald Ryan 50.5 -9.0 $201 Bet Now 40 Motivado (GB) David Hayes 50.5 -9.0 $301 Bet Now 41 Let’s Make A Deal Nigel Blackiston 50.0 -9.0 $101 Bet Now 42 Vaquera (NZ) Gai Waterhouse 50.0 -9.0 $201 Bet Now 43 Gris Caro (GB) Jake Stephens 50.5 -9.0 $301 Bet Now 44 Bass Strait (NZ) David Hayes 50.0 -9.5 $301 Bet Now 45 Caravan Rolls On (GB) Peter Chapple-Hyam 50.0 -9.5 $201 Bet Now 46 Garud (IRE) Michael Moroney 50.0 -9.5 $151 Bet Now 47 Opinion (IRE) Chris Waller 50.0 -9.5 $401 Bet Now Total Value of Race Handicap of $6,200,000 & $200,000 trophies. First $3,600,000 and trophies valued at $175,000, $10,000, $10,000, $2,500 & $2,500 to owner, trainer, rider, strapper (Tommy Woodcock Trophy) and breeder respectively; Second $900,000; Third $450,000; Fourth $250,000; Fifth $175,000; Sixth $125,000; Seventh $125,000; Eighth $125,000; Ninth $125,000 & Tenth $125,000.
Benchmark Weights
3YO C&G 50.0kg; 3YO Filly 48.5kg
4YO E&G 58.0kg; 4YO Mare 56.5kg
5YO+ E&G 59.5kg 5YO+ Mare 58.0kgMinimum Handicap Weight
3YO – 49.0kg
4YO & Up – 50.0kg.First Acceptances
By 12 NOON (Melbourne Time) TUESDAY 10 OCTOBER – Fee: $2,200
Second Acceptances
By 10.00 AM (Melbourne Time) MONDAY 29 OCTOBER – Fee: $3,850
Final Acceptances
By 4.30 PM (Melbourne Time) SATURDAY 3 NOVEMBER – Fee: $49,500
Order Of Entry Horse Name Trainer Weight (kg) Benchmark (kg) Exempt From Ballot Fully Qualified First Acceptor Second Acceptor Final Acceptor Latest Odds $650 Cup Free Bets 1 Dunaden (FR) Mikel Delzangles 59 inc 1kg penalty -0.5 $7.00 Bet Now 2 Kelinni (IRE) Chris Waller 51 inc 1kg penalty -8.5 $19 Bet Now 3 Americain (USA) Alain de Royer Dupre 58 -1.5 $7.00 Bet Now 4 Red Cadeaux (GB) Ed Dunlop 55.5 -4 $9.50 Bet Now 5 Jakkalberry (IRE) Marco Botti 55.5 -4 $81 Bet Now 6 Winchester (USA) John Sadler 55.5 -4 $61 Bet Now 7 Ethiopia Pat Carey 53.5 -4.5 $21 Bet Now 8 Voila Ici Peter Moody 55 -4.5 $101 Bet Now 9 Lights Of Heaven (NZ) Peter Moody 53 -5 $19 Bet Now 10 Cavalryman (GB) Saeed Bin Suroor 54 -5.5 $31 Bet Now 11 Sanagas (GER) Bart Cummings 54 -5.5 $51 Bet Now 12 Mount Athos (IRE) Luca Cumani 54 -5.5 $8.00 Bet Now 13 Maluckyday (NZ) Team Hawkes 53.5 -6 $15 Bet Now 14 Green Moon (IRE) Robert Hickmott 53.5 -6 $19 Bet Now 15 Mourayan (IRE) Robert Hickmott 53.5 -6 $31 Bet Now 16 Niwot Team Hawkes 53.5 -6 $71 Bet Now 17 Zabeelionaire (NZ) Leon Corstens 52 -6 $61 Bet Now 18 Glencadam Gold (IRE) Gai Waterhouse 53.5 inc 3.5kg penalty -6 $51 Bet Now 19 My Quest For Peace (IRE) Luca Cumani 53.5 -6 $18 Bet Now 20 Tac De Boistron (FR) Michael Kent 53.5 -6 $121 Bet Now 21 Fiorente (IRE) Gai Waterhouse 53.5 -6 $41 Bet Now 22 Galileo’s Choice (IRE) Dermot Weld 53.5 -6 $15 Bet Now 23 Precedence (NZ) Bart Cummings 53 -6.5 $81 Bet Now 24 Unusual Suspect (USA) Michael Kent 53 -6.5 $121 Bet Now 25 Moudre Ciaron Maher 53 -6.5 $81 Bet Now 26 Lost In The Moment (IRE) Saeed Bin Suroor 53 -6.5 $67 Bet Now 27 Brigantin (USA) Andre Fabre 53 -6.5 $21 Bet Now 28 Prairie Star (FR) Danny O’Brien 53 -6.5 $101 Bet Now 29 Shahwardi (IRE) Alain De Royer Dupre 53 inc 1.5kg penalty -6.5 $34 Bet Now 30 Ironstein Gerald Ryan 52.5 -7 $251 Bet Now 31 Tanby Robert Hickmott 52.5 inc 0.5kg penalty -7 $151 Bet Now 32 Sabrage Michael Moroney 51 -7 $251 Bet Now 33 Gatewood (GB) John Gosden 52.5 inc 1kg penalty -7 $26 Bet Now 34 Vatuvei Peter Moody 51 inc 1kg penalty -7 $201 Bet Now 35 Permit (GB) Chris Waller 52.5 -7 $251 Bet Now 36 Exceptionally (NZ) T&K O’Sullivan 50 -8 $67 Bet Now 37 Ibicenco (GER) Luca Cumani 51.5 -8 $401 Bet Now 38 Spechenka Ben Ahrens 50.5 -9 $601 Bet Now 39 Dame Claire (NZ) Pat Carey 50 -9 $401 Bet Now 40 Fictional Account (IRE) David Hayes 50 -9 $201 Bet Now 41 Reuben Percival (NZ) Gai Waterhouse 50 -9.5 $151 Bet Now 42 Excluded (NZ) Robert Hickmott 50 -9.5 $151 Bet Now 43 Peal Of Bells Gwenda Markwell 50 -9.5 $501 Bet Now 44 Dare To Dream (IRE) Bart Cummings 50 -9.5 $67 Bet Now 45 Back In Black (NZ) John Steffert 50 -9.5 $601 Bet Now 2012 Melbourne Cup field will comprise 24 horses in order of entry. The conditions of the 2012 Emirates Melbourne Cup provide that the VRC Board may in their absolute discretion exclude any horse or horses from the race, whether the safety limit of 24 horses at final acceptance time shall be reached or not, and if such exclusion occurs, and more than 24 final acceptors remain, balloting of surplus horses will continue in the normal manner to its conclusion. The winner of the following races shall be exempt from any ballot on the 2012 Melbourne Cup: 2012 VRC The Lexus Stakes, 2012 VRC AAMI Victoria Derby, 2012 VRC Mackinnon Stakes, 2012 MVRC Cox Plate, 2012 MRC Caulfield Cup, 2012 Irish St Leger (IRE), 2012 Tenno Sho (Spring) (JPN). Horses can become fully qualified and pass the first elimination clause for the 2012 Melbourne Cup by: placing in a Group (flat) race over 2300 metres or above in the past 2 years; finishing in the top five in a Group 1 (flat) race for 3yr olds & up over a minimum distance of 2300 metres in the past 2 years; becoming an international Listed (flat) race winner over 2300m or further in the past 2 years; finishing in the the top 3 placings in the York Ebor (UK), Northumberland Plate (UK), Cesarewitch (UK), Champions & Chater Cup (HK) or Queen Mother Memorial Cup (HK); finishing within the top 8 of the Group 1 Caulfield Cup; finishing in the top 3 of either the Group 1 Cox Plate or the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes; or winning the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes.