Melbourne Cup 2026 Betting Odds - Aeliana Leads Cup Betting

Bets.com.au Staff

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Last updated: Mon. 28 Sep. 2026 11:08

Bets.com.au Staff 28 Sep. 2026

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Aeliana leads 2026 Melbourne Cup betting at $10 but faces weight concerns
Defiantly ($11) and Half Yours ($11) are top contenders with strong form
Zahrann strengthens claims after recent Group 3 win; market remains tight

Half Yours winning the 2025 Melbourne Cup. (Getty)

The 2026 Melbourne Cup market continues to take shape ahead of the $10 million feature at Flemington on Tuesday, November 3, with Aeliana narrowly holding favouritism over Defiantly and defending champion Half Yours.

Melbourne Cup 2026 Betting Odds
Melbourne Cup History

Aeliana heads betting at $10 with Neds despite Chris Waller openly questioning whether the mare will take her place after being allocated 58kg in the Melbourne Cup weights.

The three-time Group 1 winner has already proven herself at the top level over middle distances, but the weight presents a significant challenge if connections elect to press on towards the 3200m feature.

Defiantly is next at $11 after putting himself firmly into Melbourne Cup calculations with a dominant 5.5-length victory in the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay over 3000m at Deauville.

The Joseph O’Brien-trained stayer had previously finished runner-up in the Ascot Stakes over 4000m at Royal Ascot, giving him the kind of proven stamina profile that has traditionally translated well to the Melbourne Cup.

Half Yours also sits at $11 as he attempts to defend the crown he won last spring when completing the Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double.

The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained gelding resumed with a sixth in the Makybe Diva Stakes over 1600m at Flemington, a trip well short of his optimum, with the stable again building his campaign towards the longer spring features.

Zahrann is next at $13 after strengthening his spring credentials with victory in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes over 2000m at Caulfield.

The Ciaron Maher-trained stayer was subsequently handed a 0.5kg Melbourne Cup penalty, lifting him to 54.5kg and moving him further up the order of entry as his campaign progresses towards the major staying races.

With Aeliana facing a weight decision, Defiantly bringing strong European staying form, Half Yours proven over the course and distance, and Zahrann continuing to improve through the spring, the top end of the Melbourne Cup market remains tightly grouped.

Melbourne Cup 2026 Betting Odds

Horse	Win
Aeliana	$10.00
Defiantly	$11.00
Half Yours	$11.00
Zahrann	$13.00
James J Braddock	$15.00
Shockletz	$15.00
Stinger Glass	$15.00
Zakouma	$15.00
Aethelwulf	$17.00
Highwayman	$17.00
Trustyourinstinct	$17.00
Hopewell Rock	$21.00
Royal Supremacy	$21.00
Saint George	$21.00
The Euphrates	$21.00
Wine Dark Sea	$21.00
Others	$26.00+

Odds provided by Neds & correct on 28/09/2026.

Melbourne Cup History

The Melbourne Cup is one of the world's most prestigious staying races and a highlight on the Australian sports calendar.

Being a 3200m handicap that attracts runners from across the globe, 'the race that stops a nation' is traditionally one of the toughest for punters, given the many different form lines.

Despite it being a challenging contest for all, the Melbourne Cup is the most popular betting race in Australia and one of the world's most famous sporting events.

Without A Fight (2023), Knight's Choice (2024) and Half Yours (2025) have won the last three editions of the Melbourne Cup.