The Melbourne Cup is one of the biggest sporting, cultural and social events on the Australian calendar. It is certainly one of the Big Days of the year. The Cup is held at Flemington racecourse on the North West edge of the City of Melbourne. It is only a short train ride from the city centre direct to Flemington.
The Melbourne Cup is held on the first Tuesday in November. The Spring weather in November can be fabulous, but there have been occasions where it has bucketed down with rain aswell. So it pays to plan for any type of weather. They say Melbourne can have four seasons in one day.
The Flemington racecourse is a grass track and there are sensational grass grounds for viewing, aswell as the fabulous stands and dining facilities. The Melbourne Cup is one of those bucket list must go and see items. The Melbourne Cup tickets are always in high demand and normally sell out every year.
The idea of having a runner in the Melbourne Cup or a winner, is a dream held by a great percentage of Australia's population. Horse racing is a national sport and is in the public eye on most forms of media. So nearly all Australians will have an idea of what the Melbourne Cup is.
If you are in Melbourne for Cup Day
- There is so much going on in the city, docklands and at venues near the Yarra River
- Cup Eve parties on the Monday.
- Cup Day breakfast events on Tuesday.
- Cup Day lunches to see the Melbourne Cup running.
- There are plenty of great Melbourne Cup parties and events in Melbourne so check them out
Melbourne Cup 2024 Tips
What's your tip in the 2024 Melbourne Cup? Everyone needs a tip or a talking point. It might be a racehorse's form, the colour of the silks or your favourite number or jockey.
We crunched the data into ChatGPT and it came up with this synopsis for 2024.
The 2024 Melbourne Cup field offers an intriguing mix of international talent and local favorites, with Vauban and Buckaroo emerging as joint favorites. Each horse brings strong credentials but faces unique challenges in the 3200m race.
Vauban (Willie Mullins, Ireland): A standout in European staying events, Vauban's recent second-place finish in France shows his staying power. He has drawn a favorable barrier (stall 11), which should support a strategic run if he manages the Australian conditions, a factor that impacted him in last year's Cup when he under performed as the favorite.
Buckaroo (Chris Waller, Australia): Buckaroo's recent Caulfield Cup second place has bolstered confidence in his stamina, although his wide draw in stall 21 could make it tough for him to secure an early position. Still, his speed and experience make him a strong contender if he can overcome this challenge.
Onesmoothoperator (Brian Ellison, UK): Known for his consistency, Onesmoothoperator finished well in the Geelong Cup, landing him at 10/1 odds. His ability to handle both distance and pace variation could see him as a threat for the top spots.
Absurde (Willie Mullins, Ireland): A stablemate to Vauban, Absurde enters from barrier seven with solid local experience, including a promising seventh-place finish last year. Under jockey Kerrin McEvoy, he may prove valuable in the final stages of the race.
Sea King (Harry Eustace, UK): Sea King's draw in barrier one is ideal for his front-running style, and he is seen as a potential surprise with competitive 12/1 odds.
Given these factors, Vauban is a slight favorite due to his favorable draw and strong European form, but Onesmoothoperator or Sea King could challenge the front-runners, particularly if track conditions play to their strengths. However, with Melbourne Cup history often favoring upsets, it's wise to keep an eye on long-shots like Saint George or Interpretation, who could capitalize if the race pace intensifies.
And to throw another one in, the Cummings Factor and Zardozi!
Good Luck!
Wherever you are watching the great race, Good Luck!