Melbourne Cup 2020 Runners
Which horses are running in the Melbourne Cup 2020?
The Melbourne Cup 2020 is run over 3200 metres at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne on Tuesday, November 3rd at 3 pm local time. There should be a full field of 24 runners and the barrier draw has been announced. Here is a form analysis of five leading contenders for the race that stops a nation.
2020 MELBOURNE CUP LATEST ODDS
| Horses |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surprise Baby | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Russian Camelot | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Santiago | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Anthony Van Dyck | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Ashrun | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Nickajack Cave | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Verry Elleegant | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Finche | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Master Of Wine | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| See all horses |
You should have in mind that the odds can change before the race in the months, weeks, and even days leading up to it. This is why you need to make sure to check them regularly in order to make an informed decision when you want to place your bet.
Melbourne Cup 2020 Favourites – 3 Horses to Watch
With a full field set for November 3, a ‘shortlist’ of possible winners here really is a longlist! That said, certain horses often stick out at the top of the market.
This year, Surprise Baby, Russian Camelot and Santiago really do stand out among the array of potential Melbourne Cup horses. Given their form heading into the Melbourne Cup, as well as their potential, they each have an outstanding chance.
Beginning with Paul Preusker’s charge, here’s a closer look at three of the top shouts among the engaged Melbourne Cup runners for 2020:
Surprise Baby (NZ)
- Age: 6
- Jockey: TBC
- Weight: 54.5kg
- Trainer: Paul Preusker
Surprise Baby’s relatively short odds are based on his finishing position in last year’s Melbourne Cup. Fifth that time, the then-5yo was only ¾ of a length behind the winner and all from barrier 20.
The key point about that run is that the first three were all ridden close to the pace. Vow And Declare, Master Of Reality and Prince Of Arran were all handy that day.
Should Surprise Baby get a better draw, he can be up in the vanguard and that makes him so dangerous.
Russian Camelot (IRE)
- Age: 3
- Jockey: TBC
- Weight: 53.5kg
- Trainer: Danny O’Brien
The real improver in the field and one who with a good draw will attract plenty of money. Top Melbourne Cup horses should always be getting better and this one is a prime example.
Only a three-year-old, Russian Camelot was just fourth in a handicap as recently as March. Since then though, he’s won the South Australian Derby and in great style too.
More recently the son of Camelot was in among other potential Melbourne Cup runners in the Diva Stakes. Second that day, beaten just a head, he was the moral winner for many given his age – the only three-year-old in the field.
His sire won The Derby in England and stayed further, so the race distance in these conditions shouldn’t be a worry either. One last crucial piece of info; trainer Danny O’Brien won this race last year and so knows what Melbourne Cup horses are all about.
Santiago (IRE)
- Age: 3
- Jockey: TBC
- Weight: 53.5kg
- Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
If Russian Camelot can be considered one of the Melbourne Cup favourites at three years old, then certainly so can Santiago. The tough Irish-trained colt from the Coolmore operation has some great European form this year.
Considering his Irish Derby win came a week after winning over a distance at Ascot, it can be marked up. It meant he was a Group I winner, though he was just outclassed by Stradivarius and Nayef Road in the Goodwood Cup.
He has since run fourth in the St Leger, England’s final Classic, and would arrive here as one of the key Melbourne Cup runners for a family who have done so well in the race of late.
Melbourne Cup 2020 Runners
It is always useful to know the favourites when it comes to horse racing, but the Melbourne Cup history has also taught us that they usually do not fare rather well. In the past ten years, only one favourite has managed to win – Fiorente in 2013, and only one horse has managed to take three wins in a row – Makybe Diva in 2002, 2003, and 2004.
On the other hand, there is Prince of Penzance, who was an outsider and definitely not one of the Melbourne Cup favourites. He started the race at 100/1 in 2015, managed to win and become known as one of the legendary Melbourne Cup horses. This is why we have compiled a list of ten more Melbourne Cup runners to look out for in 2020.