Our horse racing experts bring you their Melbourne Cup tips as part of our guide to one of the world's most prestigious flat races. Held at Flemington Racecourse, we bring you all of the information you need on an event known as “the race that stops a nation”. Read on to access our tips, odds, the race’s latest trends, and more.
- 1 Melbourne Cup Betting Odds
- 2 Melbourne Cup Betting Tips
- 3 How We Select Our Melbourne Cup Betting Tips
- 4 Most Popular Melbourne Cup Betting Markets
- 5 Best Melbourne Cup Betting Sites
- 6 Additional Melbourne Cup Betting Insights
- 7 Upcoming Horse Racing Betting Events
- 8 ThePuntersPage Final Say
- 9 Melbourne Cup Betting FAQs
Melbourne Cup Betting Odds
The UK’s best horse racing bookies are prompt with their ante-post odds for the top international races and it’s no different for the Melbourne Cup odds. Check out the ante-post prices of the top horses who are heading for the Flemington Racecourse showpiece.
| Horse | Ante-Post Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Al Riffa | 5/1 | William Hill |
| Half Yours | 7/1 | William Hill |
| Valiant King | 7/1 | BetMGM |
| Presage Nocturne | 10/1 | Unibet |
| Buckaroo | 14/1 | William Hill |
| Meydaan | 14/1 | William Hill |
| River Of Stars | 16/1 | William Hill |
| Onesmoothoperator | 16/1 | William Hill |
| Further | 20/1 | bet365 |
| Deakin | 20/1 | BetMGM |
Melbourne Cup Betting Tips
Our experts have been studying the form across the season to come up with our tips for the Melbourne Cup. Check out the horses that we fancy to fly at Flemington.
Al Riffa to win
Al Riffa’s odds have shortened over the last few weeks, and we think that he is the one to beat in this one. Trained by Joseph O’Brien, he has two wins and a runners up spot to his name this year, and looks to be coming into form for the Melbourne Cup.
Back Half Yours each way
Winner of the Caulfield Cup, Half Yours could challenge for this one. Will be there or thereabouts, and while we don’t think this five-year-old is likely to beat Al Riffa, he’s worth an each-way bet.
River of Stars: A good each-way bet
Second to Half Yours at Caulfield, this Chris Waller trained six-year-old has lacked consistency this year, but on his day could challenge. We believe it’s worth an each-way punt.
How We Select Our Melbourne Cup Betting Tips
Putting together our Melbourne Cup betting tips requires quite the deep dive.
We’ve listed some important factors below that you may want to take into consideration when making your Melbourne Cup picks.
Age is a big factor in horse racing. Generally, racehorses hit their peak at around the age of four or five, but you will find that certain races suit younger horses, while older horses seem to come to the fore in others. The Melbourne Cup takes place over two miles and is usually won in a time ranging from three minutes 18 seconds to three minutes 21 seconds. It is an event where stamina is important, so older horses often seem to perform well. Seven of the last 10 winners have been aged five or over with only one three-year-old triumphing in the 21st century.
The Melbourne Cup is a Group 1 thoroughbred race, attracting horses of the highest class. All of the previous 20 winners had won a group class race before winning the Melbourne Cup.
The Melbourne Cup is over two miles, where the winning time is always over three minutes 10 seconds. This makes it a test of stamina so you need to look to horses who can stay the distance.
Our experts study the form closely when producing our Melbourne Cup betting tips. Wins and consistent places must be considered, but you also need to look at horses who have been raced sparingly or who have started the season late with a view to coming to a peak in November. A horse who has been turning out every month since May is unlikely to keep producing good performances into November.
Weather, especially rain, can affect the going on the course and some horses are better at adapting to different conditions than others. The Australian Spring can bring extremely changeable weather so you need to look at horses that can cope with fast and heavier going.
In addition, some horses can cope in different types of races. Some are a lot better if the initial pace is quick, while others are better at hanging off the pace and coming through strongly. Look out for horses that can win from different positions in different types of races.
Weather conditions can have a massive impact on horse racing. The weather is quite unpredictable and changeable in Melbourne during early November. However, the horses are unlikely to have to cope with temperatures of less than 10 degrees, while there is a good chance that it could be as warm as 25 degrees. Rain can make the course either slippery or heavy, while a long dry spell can leave the course firm. Look into the strengths and weaknesses of the horses and monitor the weather carefully.
Most Popular Melbourne Cup Betting Markets
The Melbourne Cup forms part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival and is one of the most famous flat races in the world. It is known as the richest two-mile handicap in the world and one of the most lucrative of all turf races. We have highlighted the most popular betting markets for the race.
This is simply a bet on the horse you think will win the race. If you bet on a horse to win and your pick comes in first place, your bet wins, if it doesn’t, then you won’t be getting a payout.
Each-way betting gives you a safety net where you can get a payout if your horse wins or finishes in the places. The bet is split in two. The first part is a bet on your horse to win, and the second part is a place bet on your horse to finish in the places. Usually this would mean ¼ of the odds for a horse to finish in the top three, depending on how many are in the field. Bookies will often offer extra places in popular races so look out for offers.
A quinella is when you place a wager on the two horses you believe will win the race and come home in second. It does not matter which order the horses come in, as you still receive your payout dividend.
Another common type of multiple at the Melbourne Cup is a trifecta. A trifecta is when you place a stake on the horse you believe will end up running in the first three placed at the race. It is a lot more challenging to win a Trifecta bet, although the payout dividends are far superior to quinella bets. A trifecta bet starts from as little as £0.50 and may even be part of a boxed bet, where horses can run in any order; or straight-out trifecta bets, where horses need to run in their chosen order.
When looking at Melbourne Cup trifecta tips, remember that landing one of these bets is very challenging and, although the odds might look tempting, everything has to fall into place for a big payout.
Best Melbourne Cup Betting Sites
We have scrutinised the UK’s best horse racing betting sites to come up with a list of the top bookies for the Melbourne Cup, along with the reasons for their inclusion.
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Founded:
2000
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(11):
Bet £10 & Get £30 18+. Registration Required. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Funded account or place a bet to qualify. Geo location and live streaming rules apply. Time limits and Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.10
Max. withdrawal: £100,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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Founded:
1997
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(8):
Horse Racing: Bet £20 get £40 in Free Bets 18+ New GB customers only. Min £20 debit card deposit. Place a £20+ bet on Horse Racing at min odds 2/5 (1.4) each leg. Receive 2 x £10 free bets within 24 hours of bet settlement, and further 2 x £10 free bets 7 days later. Valid for Horse Racing only. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.01
Max. withdrawal: £100,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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Founded:
1926
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(8):
Bet £5 Get £30 in Free Bets 18+ New UK + ROI customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 6 x £/€5 free bets (selected sportsbook markets only, valid 7 days, stakes not returned). Restrictions + Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.01
Max. withdrawal: £250,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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Founded:
1946
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(5):
Horse Racing: Bet £10 Get £30 18+ Opt in. Bet £10 or more on any Horse Racing market at minimum odds of 1/1 within 7 days of registration. No cash out. Get £30 in Free Horse Racing Bets, selected markets. Free Bets expire in 7 days. Full T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.05
Max. withdrawal: £50,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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Founded:
1886
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(10):
Bet £5 Get £30 in Free Bets 18+ New UK+ROI Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 6 x £5 free bets (selected sportsbook markets only, valid 7 days, stake not returned). Restrictions + Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.01
Max. withdrawal: £250,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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Founded:
1967
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(7):
Racing: Multiply Your Odds 18+ Applies to Horse and Greyhound bets only. Does not apply to Virtual Racing. 5 x the Odds on Lucky 63s. 4 x the Odds on Lucky 31s. 3 x the Odds on Lucky 15s. All selections must run. Paid in cash if only one winner. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.10
Max. withdrawal: £20,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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|
Founded:
1994
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(4):
Bet £10 Get £20 18+, New customers only. Opt in, deposit & bet £10 on any sports (odds 2.00+) in 7 days. No cash out. Get 4x£5 sports free bets for set markets (odds 2.00+), which expire in 7 days. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.10
Max. withdrawal: £50,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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|
Founded:
2006
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(6):
Up to £30 Matched Free Bet if your First Acca Loses + 100 Free Spins + £30 Uber Eats Voucher 18+ New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football, Horse Racing, Tennis, Cricket or Basketball multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. 100 Free Spins on More Unusual Suspects (£0.10 per spin) credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. No wagering requirements on free spin winnings. Earn a £30 Uber Eats Voucher on successful Acca qualification. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £0.20
Max. withdrawal: £100,000,000
Min. deposit: £5
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
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|
Founded:
1999
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Payment methods(6):
Racing: Lucky Double Odds 18+ Double Odds for 1 winner only on L15, L31 or L63. No bonus applies for 2 or more winners. All selections must run for double winner bonus to apply. Any NR will mean the bonus will not apply. No max price or max bonus to apply. Available on Horse Racing and Greyhounds only. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad
Good to know:
Min. stake: £1.00
Max. withdrawal: £25,000
Min. deposit: £1
24/7 Customer Support:
Mobile-App:
Android
iOS
|
|
Founded:
1934
UKGC
This bookmaker is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring compliance with strict regulations designed to promote fairness, transparency, and the safety of players. The UKGC license is a mark of trust, safeguarding your funds and personal information while encouraging responsible gambling. Learn more about the UKGC here
TPP Rating
Our experts research, review, and rate bookmakers first-hand to provide you with reliable information. All our content is completely impartial based on our own personal experiences as punters.
Mobile Exclusive: Bet £10 Get £40 18+. Play Safe. Online only. For new UK register customers using promo code G40. Deposit & place £10 cash single bet (min odds 1/2) on sportsbook (excl. Virtuals). Get £40 in Free Bets (4x£10), valid for sportsbook (excl. Virtuals), 7 days expiry, must use in full (£10 each). Not valid with deposits via PayPal, Neosurf, Paysafe, Apple Pay, NETELLER, Skrill, ecoPayz, Kalibra/Postpay or WH PLUS Card. One per customer. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org #ad |
bet365: Prompt and competitive ante-post odds and great all-round horse racing bookie
Chris Sampson: bet365 came out on top when we compiled our list of the best Melbourne Cup betting sites. They get out there early with their ante-post odds for all international races and the Melbourne Cup is no exception. The bookie has a generous welcome offer, and the £30 worth of free bets can be used for Melbourne Cup wagers. Look out for odds boosts, extra places and other promos leading up to the race.
Additional Melbourne Cup Betting Insights
Our horse racing specialists have thoroughly analysed the upcoming event to provide insights into the big occasion at the Victoria Racing Club. You’ll find jockey and trainer statistics, the trends and patterns from recent editions of the race, and the ins and outs of Flemington Racecourse.
Melbourne Cup Jockey & Trainer Stats
When betting on horse racing, researching trainer and jockey form is of great importance. While it is vital to look at the form of the horses, the roles of trainers and jockeys cannot be underestimated. It is vital to look at successful jockey and trainer partnerships when developing your Melbourne Cup betting strategy.
Trainers will plan a programme to get the best out of their horses and part of this is finding jockeys they can trust to get the best from the horses. The Melbourne Cup attracts horses, jockeys and trainers from all around the world. So, while it is important to keep tabs on local trainers and jockeys from Australian racing, it is important to be aware of the leading UK and Irish racing professionals who will travel for such a race, along with the top performers from other strong horse racing nations.
Melbourne Cup Latest Trends
When studying the Melbourne Cup runners, our experts looked into past editions of the race in a bid to pick up on patterns. This allowed them to build a profile of a Melbourne Cup winner to use alongside their research into form. We have put together some stats and trends to help you make your picks for the big race at Flemington Racecourse.
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Four and Five-year-olds to the fore: 91 out of the 164 winners of the Melbourne Cup have been aged four or five. Six-year-olds have a better record than three-year-olds with 34 wins to 24.
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5 Alive: Gate 5 has been the most fruitful barrier with eight Melbourne Cup winners starting from that position.
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Look for the Caulfield Cup Winner: The Caulfield Cup can be a useful guide to the Melbourne Cup with six winners going on to win at Melbourne.
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Favourites Falter: The last favourite to win the Melbourne Cup was Fiorente in 2013. Since 2006 only three favourites have finished in the places.
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Look for horses carrying 54kg: In the past decade, the average weight carried by the winner is 54kg.
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Good form can help: 1/3 of the last 21 winners finished in the top three in their previous race.
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European Horses Travel Well: Since 2010 there have been six European trained winners of the Melbourne Cup.
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Wins by Mares in Short Supply: Only 14 mares have won the Melbourne Cup.
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Most Melbourne Cup Wins: Makybe Diva is the only horse to win the race three times. Bobbie Lewis and Harry White are the most successful jockeys with four wins each. Bart Cummings holds the record for wins by a trainer with 12 while Lloyd Williams is the most successful owner with seven victories.
Flemington Racecourse Reviewed: Track Analysis for Punters
Flemington racecourse is a left-hand turn course, meaning it is run in an anticlockwise direction. Its main features are the long straights, meaning it tends to favour thoroughbred horses who are long-striding gallopers.
The two-mile course, used for the Melbourne Cup often sets off at a fast pace. While it is difficult to lead all the way it suits horses who are able to at least stay in touch with the leaders rather than those who sit right off the pace and make a late charge for home. It is, however, a fair track and it has seen horses win with a wide variety of tactics.
Melbourne Cup Prize Money
The total prize money for the Melbourne Cup is set at A$10 million, a A$440,000 increase from 2024. The Melbourne Cup is known as the richest two-mile handicap in the world and it, along with the Melbourne Cup Carnival as a whole is a huge event in horse racing in Australia and round the world. This level of prize money attracts the owners with the best horses and trainers and jockeys of the highest calibre. Naturally this quality brings with it interest and that means more betting opportunities. Wagering on the Melbourne Cup means that you are getting a great horse racing betting experience.
Recent Melbourne Cup Results
Check out the Melbourne Cup winners over the last decade.
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Ante-Post Odds | Favourite to win (Yes/No) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Knight’s Choice | 5 | Robbie Dolan | John Symons & Sheila Laxon | 90/1 | No |
| 2023 | Without A Fight | 7 | Mark Zahra | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 7/1 | No |
| 2022 | Gold Trip | 6 | Mark Zahra | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 20/1 | No |
| 2021 | Verry Elleegant | 6 | James McDonald | Chris Waller | 17/1 | No |
| 2020 | Twilight Payment | 8 | Jye McNeil | Joseph Patrick O’Brien | 25/1 | No |
| 2019 | Vow and Declare | 4 | Craig A Williams | Danny O’Brien | 10/1 | No |
| 2018 | Cross Counter | 3 | Kerrin McEvoy | Charlie Appleby | 8/1 | No |
| 2017 | Rekindling | 4 | Corey Brown | Joseph Patrick O’Brien | 14/1 | No |
| 2016 | Almandin | 7 | Kerrin McEvoy | Robert Hickmott | 10/1 | No |
| 2015 | Prince of Penzance | 6 | Michelle Payne | Darren Weir | 100/1 | No |
Upcoming Horse Racing Betting Events
ThePuntersPage Final Say
The Melbourne Cup is one of the most prestigious flat races in the world and our guide gives you the odds, a list of the best bookies and a great deal of information to help you form your betting strategy. Our Melbourne Cup tips offer you the views of our experts, and should you want to go it alone there is plenty of info to get you started on your research.
Melbourne Cup Betting FAQs
We rate bet365, Unibet and Coral as three of the best online bookmakers for betting on the Melbourne Cup.
Many bookmakers including bet365, William Hill and Coral have fantastic livestreaming for horse racing. In the UK, Sky Sports have the broadcast rights to the Melbourne Cup so this could prevent bookmakers streaming the event live.
An ante-post bet on the Melbourne Cup is any wager made on the race before the on-course betting has opened. If you are looking to make an ante-post bet check out which bookies offer Non-Runner No Bet insurance.
Yes, you can use free bets to wager on the Melbourne Cup.
The total prize money for the Melbourne Cup is set at A$10 million.
The 2025 Melbourne Cup takes place on Tuesday November 4 at 04:00 GMT. It is hosted by the Victoria Racing Club at Flemington Racecourse.