Australian Cup 2026 - Barrier Draw & Final Field

Bets.com.au Staff

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Last updated: Wed 25 Mar 2026 00:02

Bets.com.au Staff 25 Mar 2026

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The 2026 Australian Cup is the closing highlight of the Melbourne Autumn Carnival
Top contenders include Birdman, Tom Kitten, and Pride Of Jenni
The Australian Cup is a feature Group 1, 2000m race, renowned for its prestige

Birdman has drawn barrier five in the 2026 Australian Cup. (Getty)

The Australian Cup headlines the final day of the 2026 Melbourne Autumn Carnival, with the 2000m Group 1 feature set to run on the March 28 program at Flemington.

Australian Cup 2026 - Barriers & Final Field
Australian Cup Winners

Birdman (barrier 5) continues to build an impressive profile this preparation, with the Chris Waller-trained galloper progressing sharply after resuming with a fourth-place finish before reeling off consecutive victories.

The gelding first struck at Group 2 level over the Flemington mile, showcasing a strong turn-of-foot, before stepping up in trip to claim the 1800m Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield on March 14 in authoritative fashion.

That performance suggested the rise to 2000m in the Australian Cup will be well within reach, while his international record adds further confidence after two victories in Ireland over 12 furlongs and beyond, including a 2615m Listed success, before placing over further during the 2024 Royal Ascot carnival.

Tom Kitten (barrier 12) is another galloper arriving in peak form, with the five-year-old extending his winning streak to two this campaign following a successful defence of the All-Star Mile on March 7.

Already a proven Group 1 performer, Tom Kitten first secured top-level success in the 2023 Spring Champion Stakes over 2000m, and has since continued to measure up in elite company, including placings in his past two 2000m attempts, both at Group 1 weight-for-age level.

Pride Of Jenni (barrier 10) also resumes a key role in the field after finishing third in the All-Star Mile, where the mare again showcased her trademark front-running style that has made her one of the most exciting on-pace horses in the country.

Her ability to control tempo and sustain high pressure throughout makes her a major factor stepping up to 2000m, particularly if she is allowed to dictate terms in front.

Apulia (barrier 2) adds further depth to the contest, with the five-year-old suited up in distance after his runner-up finish behind Birdman over 1800m, with that his second run back since taking out the Perth Cup.

Sabaj (barrier 6) is a lightly raced galloper still on an upward trajectory, arriving to his first 2000m attempt off an unlucky fourth in the All-Star Mile.

Australian Cup 2026 - Barriers & Final Field

No.	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Barrier	Weight
1	Tom Kitten	Anthony & Sam Freedman	Craig Williams	12	59kg
2	Light Infantry Man (FR)	Ciaron Maher	Harry Coffey	9	59kg
3	Apulia	Ben, Will & JD Hayes	William Pike	2	59kg
4	Just Fine (IRE)	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	Jordan Childs	11	59kg
5	Birdman (IRE)	Chris Waller	Ben Melham	5	59kg
6	Sabaj	Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)	Beau Mertens	6	59kg
7	Mark Twain (NZ)	Phillip Stokes	Lachlan Neindorf	4	59kg
8	Pride Of Jenni	Ciaron Maher	Declan Bates	10	57kg
9	Damask Rose (NZ)	Mark Walker	Jamie Melham	1	57kg
10	Leica Lucy (NZ)	Chris Waller	Damian Lane	3	57kg
11	Basilinna (NZ)	Emma-Lee & David Browne	Jye McNeil	8	57kg
12	Philia	David Vandyke	Daniel Stackhouse	7	57kg

Australian Cup Winners

Worth $2 million, the 2000-metre weight-for-age contest now serves as a fitting finale to the Melbourne Autumn Carnival following its shift to a late-March timeslot.

The legendary Bart Cummings holds the training record with 13 Australian Cup victories, while Tom Hales remains the race’s most successful jockey, riding eight winners between 1875 and 1890.

Regarded as one of the premier weight-for-age contests over the past half-century, the honour roll features champions such as Leilani, Dulcify, Vo Rogue, Better Loosen Up, Northerly and Makybe Diva.

In more recent editions, Cascadian secured back-to-back victories in 2023 and 2024, before Light Infantry Man added his name to the honour roll with success in the 2025 Australian Cup.