The first Tuesday in November has almost arrived as we look ahead to the 164th running of the race that stops a nation, the time-honoured Melbourne Cup.
This year’s $8.56 million feature features a field made up of the usual international talent, including the well-favoured Buckaroo and returning French raider, Vauban.
Geelong and Bendigo Cup winners Onesmoothoperator and Sea King occupy the second line of betting, while last fortnight’s Moonee Valley Gold Cup winner Okita Soushi has attracted good support after running 11th in the Cup last year.
There’s a case to be made for more than a few in this year’s field, and you can find our top four tips ahead of the 2024 Melbourne Cup right here!
2024 Melbourne Cup - 1st
No. 8 Land Legend (18)
It’s tough to find a horse that brings better recent form into the Melbourne Cup than Land Legend.
A winner of The Metropolitan two back at Randwick, the five-year-old son of Galileo quickly proving that was no fluke when running on late for third in the Caulfield Cup a fortnight later.
Chris Waller’s French galloper was a little keen in the run after getting fractious heading into the barriers, overracing at a key stage where he was eventually beaten six lengths.
That said, he fought off a late challenge from Zardozi and was in the fight with eventual winner Duke De Sessa a long way, while the Caulfield Cup has always been a solid form line heading into the Melbourne Cup.
This is his first look at 3200m, but with a dry track expected, he just needs to settle in the run this time to bounce back in a huge way.
2024 Melbourne Cup - 2nd
No. 15 Sea King (1)
Sea King will have his fair share of admirers after last week’s impressive Bendigo Cup win.
The British raider had the race shot to bits when he made a move three-wide approaching the turn, going on to win by a comfortable 3.75 length margin.
That was his first run back since finishing midfield in the Ebor Handicap at York, a form line that also produced subsequent Geelong Cup winner, Onesmoothoperator.
Like others, he’s untested over 3200m and has been given a 0.5kg penalty, but after exploding with a superb run along the rail, this boy should have plenty left to give with improvement to come.
2024 Melbourne Cup - 3rd
No. 14 Zardozi (4)
Zardozi has gone up massive odds for a mare that continues to race well.
A winner of the Oaks this time last year, the Godolphin four-year-old has won just one race since, but she has held her own at the very top level, notably placing in The Metropolitan three back narrowly behind Land Legend.
She plugged along only fairly in the Caulfield Cup a couple of weeks later, but did have a tough run in transit from the wide gate where she was forced to make a move mid-race to find the speed.
Her claims were only strengthened again on Saturday, running on late to finish fifth in the Empire Rose where she spotted the field a healthy start before working through her gears nicely over the final 100m.
In light carrying just 51kg under the Italian sensation Andrea Atzeni, she’s sure to run another huge race with a stack of fitness on her side.
2024 Melbourne Cup - 4th
No. 17 Fancy Man (19)
Fancy Man is set to start at long odds, which isn’t reflective of the talent this smart Irish international has.
Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald’s seven-year-old ran an eye-catching sixth in the Caulfield Cup last start, a solid effort after running a place in the Herbert Power the start prior.
Back to back runs over 2400m should top him off nicely for the rise in trip as he presents rock-hard fit with three runs under his belt.