The 2026 Melbourne Cup Carnival rolls on this Thursday with the Group 1 VRC Oaks between the three-year-old fillies highlighting the program at Flemington.
A competitive edition of the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes between the sprinters serves as the perfect segue into the $1 million feature. The Listed Century Stakes wraps up the program with Rey Magnerio and the uber-talented Cavalry Girl taking their place.
The weather in Melbourne is again worth watching, with rain forecast on Wednesday.
With Champions Day to follow on Saturday, we’ve run the rule over the entire nine-race program and our best Oaks Day bets can be found here!
SHE’S GOT THE CASH (15) resumes for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr having run some nice races here at Flemington last time in work.
The lightly-raced four-year-old opened her account with a maiden win at Moe, then going on to place over 2000m here at Headquarters, followed by some commendable efforts sticking to the same trip on heavy tracks.
She’s jumped out incredibly well leading up to her return and gets Harry Coffey piloting from barrier 4. The pair map to make full use of the gate and find cover early in the run.
| 15. She’s Got The Cash (4) 57.5kg1246x | |||
| Resumes after a break of four-and-a-half months and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last preparation sixth of 15 at this track 3yo Qlty June 20 over 2000m, on rain affected going; 7 len behind Decalogue with 53.5kg at $17. Previously first up; third of 9 at Sale Mdn-Sw April 8 over 1415m, 1.75 len behind Fatty Finn with 57kg at $6. Looks forward enough after a recent trial win. Nice type, watch the betting. | |||
The potential for a wet track could prove the difference in this greys race for YOURE NOT THE KING (14).
The gelding to Ole Kirl won by close to four lengths on debut on a heavy 8 on the Sunshine Coast earlier in the year, before wrapping up his prep beaten six lengths in the Listed Daybreak Lover at Eagle Farm.
He’s resumed in terrific order for Bjorn Baker winning both runs at the midweek’s, storming home last start at Warwick Farm down the outside to draw just over a length clear.
Off that, the slight rise to 1400m looks ideal and he should find plenty of cover from the inside barrier with Rachel King sticking in the saddle.
| 14. Youre Not The King (2) 53kg27×11 | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.75 len in a Cg&E Bm64 at Hawkesbury on October 8 over 1100m defeating Alabama Showdown with 60.5kg at $1.35. Second run from a spell raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.2 len in a Bm72 at Warwick Farm on October 21 over 1300m defeating Bryant carrying 59kg at $4.60. Progressive horse who maps well for sharp yard. | |||
Kris Lees has chosen to stick to the mile with TAVI TIME (4) after scratching from an 1800m race on Cup Day.
Like a few in this field, the Tavistock mare hasn’t won for some time, but she did run an encouraging race fresh at Randwick in the Big Dance Wild Card for third behind It’s A Knockout.
Her fitness simply gave way when she was met with a challenge by runner-up Matias, the pair going toe-to-toe over the furlong up until the 50m mark.
Drawn the inside gate this time with the blinkers on, she looks a leading hope with big improvement still to come.
| 4. Tavi Time (1) 58.5kg66×63 | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 6th of 10 in the G3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle on September 18 over 1500m, 5.5 len behind Fully Lit with 59kg at $16. Last start 3rd of 9 in the Big Dance Wild Card at Randwick on October 17 over 1600m, on a slow track; 3 len behind It’s A Knockout with 61.5kg at $4.80. Well placed. J-Mac booked and will be very hard to hold out. | |||
SASS APPEAL (2) backs up from a run in the Empire Rose Stakes last Saturday where she was seen finding the line well for fourth.
The daughter to So You Think has had two goes now over the mile, finishing second to Changing Colours in the Stock Stakes the run prior.
She was good off a fast tempo last start and just needs to find cover here from a tricky gate. The fact Gold Medallist is also likely to come out strengthens her claims.
| 2. Sass Appeal (9) 59.5kg14424 | |||
| Racing well recently. At the latest run raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 11 in the G1 Empire Rose Stakes at this track on October 31 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind Lady Shenandoah with 56.5kg at $18. The run before that set the pace for much of the race 2nd of 9 in the G2 Stocks Stakes at Caulfield on September 27 over 1600m, 1.0 len behind Changing Colours carrying 58kg at $2.15. Very good on Saturday and this is a lot easier, very hard to catch. | |||
Irish raider PERISHER (9) blew them away on debut at Rosehill last month, storming 1.7 lengths clear with a late dash in a BM88 contest.
He’s drawn the car park but there’s really no reason to doubt him with James McDonald in the saddle, not to mention he also won out past 2000m back home in Ireland earlier this year.
ROULETTE KING (4) is worth a look each-way as well I feel. He strung together four wins on the trot earlier in the autumn and was perhaps outclassed in the Silver Eagle first-up, finishing third-last.
Forgive a good horse for one bad run, especially as he gets out over a more suitable trip on Thursday.
| 4. Roulette King (4) 58.5kg111×0 | |||
| Second run back. First-up after seven months 12th of 14 in the LR Silver Eagle at Randwick on October 17 over 1300m, on a slow track; 7 len behind Apocalyptic with 57.5kg at $61. Previously second-up settled well back; won by 1.0 len in a 3yo Bm66 at Sandown-Hillside on March 11 over 1800m defeating Johnich carrying 60kg at $2.15. Can do much better here. | |||
| 9. Perisher (13) 56.5kg113×1 | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months won by 1.75 len in a Bm88 at Rosehill on October 14 over 1500m on a soft track defeating Nobler carrying 55kg at $3.50. Previously second-up won by a head in a 3yo Mdn Sw at Gowran Park on April 22 over 1609m on a rain affected track defeating Alphonsus Liguori carrying 61kg at $2.40. Very progressive and looks the one to beat. | |||
BEL MEZYAAN (4) is worth sticking with second-up following an eye-catching win at BEndigo on return.
Jerome Hunter’s lightly-raced four-year-old wore down Thursday’s rival Rosa Aotearoa at Bendigo to prevail over his final few strides, arriving in the nick of time after being held up briefly for a run when attempting to shift out.
We saw him handle the mile here at Headquarters nicely back in June where he was unlucky not to run a place on a very wet day.
Capable of handling some sting out of the track, he’ll be saved for late again from the wider alley with Craig Newitt also experienced in the saddle.
| 4. Bel Mezyaan (8) 57kg234×1 | |||
| Second run back. First-up after five months favourite; won by a long-neck in a Bm78 at Bendigo on October 28 over 1400m defeating Rosa Aotearoa carrying 55.5kg at $2.90. Previously second-up favourite; won by 2.75 len in a Mdn-Sw at Ballarat on February 14 over 1200m defeating Incontestable carrying 59kg at $1.70. Tough win fresh and should improve again to a mile. | |||
SEQUINNED (3) looks to be one of the better bets on the program lining up for her fourth win from her last five starts.
She’s been kept on ice following a barnstorming win at Caulfield last month by 2.5 lengths; letting rip down the straight with a sensational turn of foot to win under hands and heels from a similar wide gate.
Admittedly, the form from that race hasn’t been much chop, but she’s largely been all class this prep, with her run at Randwick in the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes being the only blemish on her resume.
| 3. Sequinned (9) 56kgx1151 | |||
| Most recently favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 2.5 len in a 3yo F SWP at Caulfield on October 10 over 1200m defeating Almost An Angel carrying 56kg at $2.80. Before that raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 9 in the G2 Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick on September 19 over 1400m, 2.75 len behind Bangkok Hottie carrying 56kg at $17. Flying and finds another ideal target with McDonald sticking. | |||
All eyes on the unbeaten PROXIMA DEA (1), with the only real knock being the wide gate.
David Payne’s mare is a perfect five-from-five after taking out the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick a fortnight ago, winding up with an enormous run down the straight to romp 1.5 lengths clear ahead of Global Goal.
Stormy Marco came out of that same race and won the Derby last Saturday, so the form holds up well for this.
Wet or dry, it doesn’t matter, and if she gets across early under Zac Lloyd from the wide gate and finds cover, she’ll be incredibly hard to hold out with 2500m looking right in her wheelhouse.
| 1. Proxima Dea (19) 56kg11111 | |||
| Yet to taste defeat in five starts. When well in the market, ran on from midfield and won by a neck in the G3 Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1800m defeating Wonka with 54.5kg at $4. Last start tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 1.5 len in the G1 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick on October 24 over 2000m defeating Global Goal with 54.5kg at $3.70. Smashed the Derby winner last time and sets the benchmark here. | |||
Lots to like about this setup for REY MAGNERIO (1) back over 1000m.
An out and out sprinter, he’s coming off a gallant effort here at Headquarters in the McEwen Stakes two weeks ago where he took a little while to wind up down the outside, but once he got going boy did he flash home late to just miss out on a place.
His final 200m split wound up being the fastest of the meeting that day and he again gets William Pike in the saddle poised to strike third-up.
| 1. Rey Magnerio (2) 59kg62×54 | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up 5th of 9 in the G2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield on October 10 over 1100m, 3.5 len behind Jigsaw with 58.5kg at $5.50. Second-up 4th of 8 in the G2 Mcewen Stakes at this track on October 24 over 1200m, 1.5 len behind Smooth Chino with 58.5kg at $7. Capable of a better showing. Back in grade, will be rattling home late. | |||