Curtains close on the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival on Saturday, but not before the time-honoured Group 1 Australian Cup is run and won with a competitive field stepping out over 2000m.
A share in $2 million goes up for grabs on what is shaping as a perfect day for racing, with fine weather and the track rated a Good 4.
Our 2026 Australian Cup Day Tips & Preview covers all 10 races, with a couple of each-way plays and a Best Bet below!
Hard to get away from SHE’S AN ARTIST (5) in the first of the day.
She was a very smart winner back from a break on the Heath track at Caulfield last month, then bumping into the talented Verdoux here at Headquarters a couple of weeks ago where the pair put a good gap between themselves and the rest of the field.
There’s less class on this occasion as she presents third-up and from a low gate this time, she’ll be one of the hardest to beat on the program.
CAFE AU LAIT (9) has drawn a nice gate for this coming off a handy win at Pakenham last time out.
Jye McNeil gave her a lovely ride after parking in behind the speed, pushing the button at the top of the straight to go three lengths clear in what was a very easy watch in the end.
She’s in 3kg lighter this time with McNeil sticking and draws to do little work in the early stages from barrier 3. This is tougher again, but she looks to have really turned a corner with growing fitness now on her side.
GIN TWIST (1) was very good winning the Festival Stakes here over a bit shorter last month, shedding hte maiden tag by 1.75 lengths.
The Hayes boys had this filly revved up ahead of her third run back and she did no disappoint leading all the way to score with a bit left in reserve.
Highly doubt the rise to 1200m poses any issues and she should go just as well here dropping a bit of weight under Willy Pike.
ACTUALITY (13) is always a threat first-up for the Moody and Coleman camp.
She’s cashed a cheque in all three attempts at this stage of her prep and was an impressive winner of her latest jump out, quickening well when something was asked for her down the straight and showing nice change up speed.
She handled the 1100m trip quite well here at Headquarters as a 3YO and is drawn to get a nice cart into the race from midfield.
JARETH (12) rates a big improver after making up good ground to prevail narrowly over the mile last start at Pakenham.
Whether he’s a genuine 2000m horse is still up for debate, but he did handle this trip well here at Flemington over the spring when he was beaten only a length by Federer.
He needs a quick getaway this time, but if he’s up closer to the speed this time, he’ll be just as hard to hold out with the apprentice claim helping his chances.
I was with EDUCATED (10) when she made it 3/3 a month ago, and I’m not about to hop off.
Granted, this is tougher up to Stakes level for the first time, but there’s a lot to like about this unbeaten Zoustar filly as she progesses through the grades.
Her turn of foot was on full display when she unleashed late over the track/trip last time out, getting up along the inside after finding clear running room. She’ll fly with nearly four weeks between runs and rates a major threat.
LITZDEEL (13) was no match for Arcora in the Australian Cup Prelude last start, but she certainly lost no admirers making up ground three-wide to finish within a length.
The Dundeel mare looks set to peak now third-up and is always a threat over these longer staying trips, as we saw last year when she put away Don Diego De Vega by 3.5 lengths over the spring.
She’ll need some cover early from the wide gate but now that Craig Williams has a feel for her, she’ll be difficult to beat.
Very interested to see LEICA LUCY (10) over 2000m for the first time in a while.
She dominated the staying scene back home in New Zealand this time last year, winning a couple of Group 2s before her ultimate triumph in the Oaks as the favourite.
Chris Waller’s mare has mixed her form this time in work finishing down the order, but keep in mind she’s had tricky gates to overcome in both the Futurity Stakes and All-Star Mile.
Drawn low this time and proven third-up, she’s a key chance I feel with Damian Lane experienced in the saddle.
GRAND LARCENY (13) resumes for Team Hawkes on the back of a nice trial win here a week ago.
He’s been a tricky horse to get a read on through 13 starts but is typically honest, missing the money on only a handful of occasions.
Leading off over 1000m is perfect for him to kick start the autumn and we’ve seen him win quite well here down the straight over the spring when he put three-quarters of a length between himself and his rivals carrying 61kg.
MERRIGOLD (18) is the first emergency and a genuine threat if she earns a spot in this field.
She was one of the runs of the race last time out at Caulfield over 1400m, bolting in late for second to give Bewitchery a bit of a scare over the late stages.
Everything about that run suggested she’ll handle getting out over further, especially with a win to her name already over the mile and the gate offering her plenty of options in transit.