We are now down to a little under five weeks to wait for the next Melbourne Cup.
There’s a lot of good racing still to come. Turnbull Stakes Day takes place this weekend and the Caulfield Cup Carnival is also on the horizon, but we are very much on countdown now as we look into what to expect from this year’s big meeting.
Field Down to 123 After First Declarations
The first declaration stage for the Cup has seen the field reduced slightly. Still, well over 100 horses stand their ground.
Second declarations and a $3000 fee are due on October 15, then third declarations and another $4000 entry fee are due on the 29th which will clear the picture right up for us.
Finally, on Saturday November 2, the final field is known. We find out the line-up at 4.30pm, with the barrier draw following at 5.30pm.
What will help matters are the Golden Ticket races. The winner of the upcoming Bart Cummings (Saturday) gets a ballot exemption. That’s also the case with the Caulfield Cup winner on October 19.
The Lead-Up and the Big Day
The Caulfield Cup Carnival is right around the corner and should be watched carefully.
The Mornington Cup, the Caulfield Guineas and especially the Caulfield Cup are all big races in their own right. But the latter offers that Golden Ticket for the victor which will change the Melbourne Cup market.
After that, we head to Flemington and that’s where the real excitement starts. Saturday, November 2 sees not only the final field and barrier draw for the Cup, but also Victoria Derby Day taking place.
Four Group 3’s, two Group 2’s and three Group 1’s are on the card. The Empire Rose Stakes, the Coolmore Stud Stakes and the $2m Victoria Derby offer us a brilliant Saturday and the perfect starter before the big one.
Melbourne Cup Day Schedule
True, most of the Group 1 action comes away from Melbourne Cup Day. That’s not a bad thing. The Cup itself absolutely should be, and is, the standout attraction on Tuesday, November 5.
We are set to see the Melbourne Cup live at 3pm, local time. The 3200-metre, $8.56 million Group 1 race will be watched around the world. The full line-up is:
- Maribyrbong Plate (1000m)
- Schweppervescence Plate (1000m)
- The Amanda Elliott (1400m)
- TAB Trophy (1800m)
- Subzero Handicap (1400m)
- MB90 Handicap (1400m)
- Furphy Plate (1800m)
- Melbourne Cup (3200m)
- Australian Heritage Cup (2800m)
- Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m)
The big race will be watched globally in several time zones. Those watching in the UK have an early start (4am), while in Dubai it’s 8am and midday in Hong Kong and Western Australia.
The off time is 1.30pm for the Northern Territory and 2pm in Queensland. Those watching in New Zealand will have to wait until 5pm locally.
