We still have three weeks to go until the 2022 Melbourne Cup. With many lead-up races having been run, trainers and owners having committed and fields just about known for more upcoming events, the field is beginning to take shape.
Now that we’ve seen the Herbert Power, the Might and Power, the Turnbull and the Bart Cummings, we can take an educated guess on the 24 likely runners at Flemington on November 1. We also break down the spectacular prize money for this year’s carnival highlight.
Our Predicted 24 for the Melbourne Cup
Some changes will be made between now and November 1 of course. Shipments of overseas horses are due to arrive late on Tuesday and early on Wednesday. We also have yet to see the Bendigo Cup, Caulfield Cup, Geelong Cup, the Lexus and the Moonee Valley Cup.
At this point, these are our likely Melbourne Cup starters by racing weight:
- Gold Trip – 57.5kg (could run in Caulfield Cup or Cox Plate)
- Duais – 55.5kg (Caulfield Cup)
- Montefelia – 55.5kg (Caulfield Cup)
- Knights Order – 55.5kg (Caulfield Cup)
- Loft – 55.5kg
- Hoo Ya Mal – 55.5kg
- Without A Fight – 55.5kg
- Deauville Legend – 55kg
- Camorra – 55kg
- Stockman – 54kg (Caulfield Cup)
- Young Werther – 54kg (Caulfield Cup)
- Le Don De Vie – 53.5kg (Caulfield Cup)
- Persan – 53.5kg
- Alegron – 53kg (Caulfield Cup)
- Great House – 53kg (Caulfield Cup)
- Grand Promenade – 53kg
- Daqiansweet Junior – 53kg
- Arapaho – 52.5kg
- Manyakan – 52.5kg
- Crystal Pegasus – 52kg
- Lunar Flare – 52.5kg
- Tralee Rose – 51.5kg
- Point Nepean – 51kg
- Nerve Not Verve – 51kg
We don’t anticipate too many changes to this potential line-up. Many trainers are simply now keeping their runners ticking over in preparation for the race, with prize money confirmed. Read our page to get more information about Melbourne Cup runners.
2022 Cup Prize Money
There are a few races in the world richer than the Melbourne Cup. That said, Melbourne Cup prize money is still indicative of one of the most important races on the planet.
The total purse stands at a cool $8 million. That amount has been steady since 2019. Here’s how it is handed out:
- 1st Place – $4,400,000
- 2nd Place – $1,100,000
- 3rd Place – $550,000
- 4th Place – $350,000
- 5th Place – $230,000
- 6th – 12th Place – $160,000
What Do the Winners Get?
An 85% split of the winning prize money, some $3.74m, goes to the owner. 10% heads the way of the trainer and the winning jockey takes 5%, meaning $220,000 on top of the standard riding fee.
Trophies presented on the day are themselves worth a massive $250,000. The winning owner receives their own trophy, while the successful rider gets a trophy and the Harry White whip.
More trophies are produced for the winning trainer and breeder, while the one given to the winning strapper is known as the Tommy Woodcock trophy.
Read more news about the Melbourne Cup.
