Flemington Betting Tips for November 3, 2026 - Race-by-Race Preview for Melbourne Cup Day
Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington features the Lexus Melbourne Cup as the headline event, with Point Of Law tipped to win following an impressive Geelong Cup victory. The gelding brings strong European staying form and benefits from a weight drop to 53kg, though he faces the 3200m distance for the first time. Trustyourinstinct, Zakouma and Shockletz are also considered key contenders. The ten-race card includes notable selections such as Funded in the Maribyrnong Plate and Buccleuch in the Channel 9 Trophy, each supported by recent form or campaign highlights.
- The $10 million Melbourne Cup headlines Flemington's ten-race program on Tuesday, November 3, 2026
- Point Of Law, Trustyourinstinct and leading local stayers clash in the famous 3200m handicap
- Complete race-by-race tips, form analysis and leading selections for all ten Melbourne Cup Day races
The 2026 Melbourne Cup is the centrepiece of Tuesday's racing action. (Getty)
Flemington takes centre stage on Tuesday for Melbourne Cup Day, with the Melbourne Cup headlining one of the biggest meetings on the Australian racing calendar.
- Race 1 - 10:45AM Darley Maribyrnong Plate Tips (1000m)
- Race 2 - 11:20AM Pin & Win Community Handicap Tips (2000m)
- Race 3 - 12:00PM TAB One Pool Trophy Tips (1800m)
- Race 4 - 12:40PM The Schweppervescence Plate Tips (1000m)
- Race 5 - 1:20PM Australian Heritage Cup Tips (2800m)
- Race 6 - 1:55PM Asahi Super Dry Plate Tips (1800m)
- Race 7 - 3:00PM Lexus Melbourne Cup Tips (3200m)
- Race 8 - 3:50PM Crown Amanda Elliott Tips (1400m)
- Race 9 - 4:35PM The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes Tips (1400m)
- Race 10 - 5:15PM Channel 9 Trophy Tips (1400m)
The track is rated a Good 4, with the rail out 3m for the entire circuit and showers forecast. A full 10-race program begins with the Maribyrnong Plate at 10:45am before the Melbourne Cup is run at 3:00pm.
Our race-by-race betting tips and selections for Flemington are below, with broader sports coverage available through Live Racing & Sports Updates.
Race 1 - 10:45AM Darley Maribyrnong Plate Tips (1000m)
7. Funded has arguably looked the most straightforward of the debutants at the jump-outs. The Freedman-trained filly sat outside the leader before quickening nicely in her first public hit-out, then led throughout for a comfortable victory in her latest.
Mark Zahra and Michael Dee rode those respective hit-outs, which is some query, but Ben Melham in the saddle is no knock and he can have her handy.
2. Amsterdam has been the best backed in early markets, with Mark Zahra staying aboard following two Cranbourne jump-outs. The first-crop son of Anamoe looks a cracking type and may ultimately prove the best horse in the field, with the query whether 1000m on debut is sharp enough.
1. Royal Press has the advantage of race experience after being narrowly beaten in the Listed Debutant Stakes at Caulfield on October 14. Tony McEvoy has been involved with three of the past 10 winners of this race, including preparing 2023 winner Dublin Down alongside Calvin.
8. La La Lilly represents a Hayes yard that always has to be respected with juveniles and improved sharply between her first and second jump-outs.
Selections: 7-2-1-8
Race 2 - 11:20AM Pin & Win Community Handicap Tips (2000m)
13. Yauson has put together an excellent campaign, beginning with an eye-catching second to In'kantosstar at Geelong, with that winner going on to score at his next two starts, both at metropolitan level.
Yauson then bolted in over the mile at Seymour on September 10 before making it back-to-back wins at Ballarat, where the runner-up almost pinched the race with a savvy ride but the pair cleared out from the rest. He had zero luck attempting the hat-trick at Caulfield on October 14, covering ground throughout yet still finishing a narrow third.
The wide draw is the obvious knock, but he now has a 2000m run under the belt and is hard fit. It may be a case of stamping him with more urgency this time.
10. Chispa gets a significant drop in grade after the Group 3 Tesio Stakes and should be ready to peak fourth-up. She arrived there off another luckless run and now gets James McDonald from a low draw. McDonald was aboard for her BM64 win in May before she finished runner-up in The Roses.
14. Ichnusa might have the most upside in the field. He won over 1600m and 2000m in his first campaign and did his best work late when resuming over 1700m at Caulfield on October 10. The rise back in trip is a major positive.
15. Interjection is the bolter to include. The 2000m is untried, but both runs for the new stable have had merit and he was a Sydney winner last season.
Selections: 13-10-14-15
Race 3 - 12:00PM TAB One Pool Trophy Tips (1800m)
6. Katoto looked like she might develop into one of Chris Waller's VRC Oaks contenders, but instead arrives here following a short freshen-up and a Flemington jump-out on October 23.
She broke through in a strong race at Kembla Grange as a juvenile and has looked like she has been searching for more ground since. Her September 2 return was another good form race, while her latest on September 27 came behind the smart Regal Ambition, who bolted in on Derby Day.
The rise to 1800m and bigger Flemington circuit look ideal.
7. Waiheke Rose had two fair efforts when in the market to open her career before the blinkers went on and she improved sharply for a three-length win at Kembla Grange on October 10. She should be one of the main on-speed influences and looks ready for the extra distance.
2. Star Of Macedon broke through first-up after showing promise as a juvenile before finishing sixth in the Gothic Stakes on October 17. He produced the fastest final 400m and 200m of that race and looks ready for the rise in distance.
10. Billycart faces a much harder assignment, but it was difficult not to be impressed by the daughter of Dundeel's debut victory at Kilmore, sustaining a long run from off the speed.
Selections: 6-7-2-10
Race 4 - 12:40PM The Schweppervescence Plate Tips (1000m)
3. Ole Go has always carried a good opinion and returned with a strong Morphettville win on October 10.
He was narrowly touched off at Listed level during the Adelaide Carnival before his subsequent Group 3 Breeders Stakes failure, where he pulled up lame and was spelled. A big trial win preceded his return, where he defeated Czech Out, with that runner-up subsequently franking the form with two Adelaide victories.
James McDonald takes over, he drops 4kg and the wide draw may prove suitable up the straight.
5. Aston is the first-up bolter after contesting some good juvenile form races through May and June. He produced a nice Caulfield third when ridden colder before the break and returns off a Flemington jump-out win on October 16.
15. Sanctuary was green on debut up the Flemington straight at Group 3 level before returning a stronger horse with a big all-the-way Bendigo win on October 17.
1. Big Wigs has been freshened after failing over 1400m here second-up, where there were genuine post-race excuses. He may be the forgotten runner coming sharply back in trip.
Selections: 3-5-15-1
Race 5 - 1:20PM Australian Heritage Cup Tips (2800m)
This staying contest looks something of a raffle, with 3. Highland Bling one of the outsiders.
He has enough staying form to measure up, including a narrow Adelaide Cup defeat and third in the Sydney Cup. His trial work leading into this campaign was encouraging, including an eye-catching first hit-out in August, while little was expected first-up at a big price.
The gelding hit a flat spot when placed under pressure in the Herbert Power Stakes last time before picking up again late, and the rise to 2800m looks ideal.
5. Jennivamoose should be at peak fitness after five runs this preparation, with her past three all over longer staying trips. She comes here off an honest fifth in the Moonee Valley Cup and, while up in weight, this is easier.
9. Autumn Mystery is another better placed here and should be approaching peak fitness. He now has the 2500m run of the Moonee Valley Cup under his belt and has been ticking over well enough.
4. Tempesti brings an obvious reference through So You Are after finishing runner-up in the St Leger. That form was franked when So You Are won the Bendigo Cup and he's a Melbourne Cup chance.
Selections: 3-5-9-4
Race 6 - 1:55PM Asahi Super Dry Plate Tips (1800m)
It is well and truly D-Day for 4. Sabaj, who comes out of three Group 1 races to open his campaign.
He never figured in the first of those, while his 12th in the Rupert Clarke Stakes on September 19 was better than it reads after producing the third-fastest final 200m of the entire meeting. He was again set a big task from a wide draw in the Toorak Handicap but made ground into seventh behind Lady Shenandoah, who subsequently bolted in in the Empire Rose Stakes.
There is much less depth here and, after drawing out all campaign, he finally lands barrier four. All of his previous Flemington runs have been competitive, including his past two at Group 1 level.
8. Immediacy was badly held up in his Listed return at Flemington on September 12 before going almost a month between runs into the Seymour Cup. He disappointed there when in the market but was also in the worst part of the track. He drops 2kg, gets to 1800m third-up and can improve sharply.
5. St Lawrence is in terrific touch, backing up a runner-up finish on August 22 to win his next two appearances, including at Flemington on September 12 before taking out the Murray Bridge Cup.
10. Darkbonee has talent. His campaign went backwards after a good second-up win, but there were excuses when he bounced back with a runner-up finish last time after racing on inferior going.
Selections: 4-8-5-10
Race 7 - 3:00PM Lexus Melbourne Cup Tips (3200m)
20. Point Of Law has stormed into Melbourne Cup favouritism following his outstanding Geelong Cup victory on October 21.
There is an obvious question about whether the race has come too early for a horse who only debuted in April, but his Australian debut was difficult to fault. Forced forward from a wide draw, he absorbed sustained pressure before continuing to find late.
His European form had already marked him as a serious staying prospect, finishing fourth in the Queen's Vase before winning the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy over 2615m.
He rises to 3200m for the first time but drops from 55kg to 53kg despite receiving a 2kg penalty. Barrier nine should also allow Ethan Brown to find a more economical position. He is still learning, but the upside is obvious.
2. Trustyourinstinct brings proven high-class European staying form and possesses an excellent turn of foot for a horse effective over longer distances.
He came from the rear to win the Group 2 Curragh Cup over 2816m in July before finishing fourth in the Irish St Leger on September 13. The Curragh Cup has also been a successful Melbourne Cup lead-up for Joseph O'Brien previously.
James McDonald takes the ride, although barrier 18 and 57kg leave him with plenty to overcome. If he can conserve energy early, Trustyourinstinct has the finishing speed to make his presence felt.
23. Zakouma gets in with only 52kg and has already proven himself over a genuine staying trip at Flemington, winning the Andrew Ramsden over 2800m in May. His spring runs through the Heatherlie, Naturalism and Herbert Power have kept him ticking over, while the latest Crystal Mile came after dropping sharply back to 1600m.
24. Shockletz is one of the leading local hopes and gets in with only 51kg, 7kg less than she carried last start. She won her way here through the Archer Stakes at Flemington on September 12 and has produced two sound efforts since. Her Flemington record is another major positive.
Selections: 20-2-23-24
Race 8 - 3:50PM Crown Amanda Elliott Tips (1400m)
Lindsey Smith looks to have a nice horse on his hands in 13. Mr Natural.
He caught the eye when runner-up on debut at Ballarat on May 24 before being spelled, then improved off his first-up run this campaign to win stylishly second-up at Geelong. He stayed there for Geelong Cup Day and was unsuited by a meeting that favoured horses closer to the speed.
From a wide alley he went back in a slowly run race yet produced the second-fastest final 200m of the entire program. He finally gets a low draw, Damian Lane takes over and the bigger Flemington circuit looks ideal.
5. Ranarsson leads the market after two dominant all-the-way victories. He handled the rise out of maiden company comfortably last time, drops 4.5kg and remains very much untapped.
2. Barracks was a first-up winner before proving the pick of the on-speed runners when narrowly beaten in the Blue Sapphire Stakes. He draws out but looks ready for 1400m.
12. Merry Chase tracked the speed before recording a very nice debut win at Kyneton. This is much tougher, but she looks to have her share of talent.
Selections: 13-5-2-12
Race 9 - 4:35PM The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes Tips (1400m)
A very open mares' race has been assembled for the penultimate and big odds remain available for 5. Miss Freelove, despite the wide draw.
Her trial work leading into the campaign was excellent and she should have finished closer when resuming in the Group 3 How Now Stakes behind Point Barrow. She disappointed subsequently at Rosehill but did plenty of work from another wide draw, while her trial since was again particularly impressive.
That gives her a platform to bounce back, although 1400m remains the query. She is tactically versatile and Blake Shinn is one of the best in the business at negotiating a wide alley.
2. Shadhavar was suited by the Caulfield pattern on October 17 but still made a mess of her rivals in the Tristarc Stakes. She goes up 2kg, but this is not particularly harder and her 1400m record now reads two wins and two seconds from four starts.
3. Oh Too Good could be the biggest improver from that race. She was the least suited after going back from a wide draw and now gets a low alley. Her Flemington form is solid, while the trials leading into the preparation were strong.
6. Ruska Roma has returned well enough and looks ready for 1400m as she works towards a peak. Her most recent attempt at the distance produced a Listed win.
Selections: 5-2-3-6
Race 10 - 5:15PM Channel 9 Trophy Tips (1400m)
Patrick Payne continues to place 1. Buccleuch superbly, resisting the temptation to chase hotter races over the carnival and instead finding another suitable benchmark affair.
He has won three of four this preparation, with his hat-trick attempt denied by the race shape before he responded at Caulfield last time, again showing his weight-carrying ability. He drops half a kilo from that win and looks even better suited getting back to Flemington, where he is already a dual winner.
His first two victories this preparation also came on spacious tracks and he handles all ground.
12. Everain is a major threat down on 54kg, 3kg less than he carried in an unlucky Geelong Cup Day return over 1200m. He is much better suited getting back to 1400m, where he is already a dual winner, and remains lightly raced with upside.
3. Porter is no world-beater but is hard fit, honest and can put himself close to the speed. He was a brave Caulfield winner last time and has already won over 1400m at Flemington this year.
7. Jett Smash bolted in first-up before doing plenty of work in the same race won by Buccleuch last start. He is better than that result suggests, although another wide draw is the concern.
Selections: 1-12-3-7
Verdict
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