A quick look at the 23 Melbourne Cup runners

It is the race that stops a nation, and this year shapes as a vintage Lexus Melbourne Cup. Gold Trip is aiming to go back-to-back, Vow And Declare is shooting for his second victory, Without A Fight is looking to do the rare Cups double, and they will all come up against highly credentialed raiders such as Willie Mullins’ Vauban and Japanese raider Breakup.

Here is a comprehensive look at every runner ahead of the first Tuesday in November:

Gold Trip (FR) – 58.5kg

Barrier - 2
Timeform rating - 126
Jockey – James McDonald
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner who carried top weight of 57.5kg to win by two lengths. He’s had a very similar preparation, running in the Turnbull, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate and is going even better than last year, seemingly thriving on racing. Would’ve perhaps enjoyed a softer track and the last horse to win the Cup with 58.5kg Think Big in 1975, albeit only 23 have attempted the feat in 48 years. Loses regular jockey Mark Zahra but gets the best possible replacement in James McDonald who will need to look for the right gaps from barrier two.

Alenquer (FR) - 56.5kg (9)

Barrier - 9
Timeform rating - 112
Jockey – Damien Oliver
Trainer – Michael Moroney

Group 1 winner in the UK beating Cox Plate winner State Of Rest at Curragh in May 2022 but hasn’t been able to find his best in five runs in Australia. Worked home okay for ninth in a bunched finish in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup last start and is bred to stay however  has never run over further than 2500m. Retiring champion jockey Damien Oliver is looking for his fourth Melbourne Cup in his final ride in the race but the horse is poorly weighted in this given his Australian form.

Without A Fight (IRE) – 56.5kg

Barrier - 16
Timeform rating – 124
Jockey – Mark Zahra
Trainer – Anthony & Sam Freedman

Simon & Ed Crisford brought this Group 3 winner to Australia for the Melbourne Cup last year but could only manage 13^th with the wet track blamed. Now with Anthony & Sam Freedman, he’s won three from four in Australia over 1800-2400m, taking out the Caulfield Cup in fast time last start on dry ground with 55.5kg. Ran to a new peak there and was given a 1kg penalty for doing so with Mark Zahra opting to ride him over Gold Trip. A 2787m winner overseas, he should get conditions to suit this time and is clearly a better horse than last year, able to sprint off slow or fast tempos  If he handles the two miles he’ll go close.

Breakup (JPN) – 55kg

Barrier - 18
Timeform rating - 117
Jockey – Kohei Matsuyama
Trainer – Tatsuya Yoshioka

Japanese runner attempting to emulate the feats of highly regarded compatriot Delta Blues who won the Cup in 2006. Breakup is a Group 2 winner over 2500m at Tokyo however his best form has come since transferring to the Yoshioka stable, running fourth to top-class stayer Justin Palace on two occasions over 3000m and 3200m. He ran eighth in the Caulfield Cup first up but will be further improved fitness-wise and rising to two miles. Does lose top jockey Damian Lane for five-time Group 1 winning Japanese jockey Kohei Matsuyama who has never ridden in Australia.

Vauban (FR) – 55kg

Barrier - 3
Timeform rating - 119
Jockey – Ryan Moore
Trainer – Willie Mullins

Former three-time Grade 1 winning hurdler in the UK over two miles and beyond who has transferred to the flat at his past two starts, winning both impressively. He was a 7.5 length winner at Royal Ascot in a 2816m handicap before comfortably accounting for Valiant King (6^th, Caulfield Cup) in a Group 3 at Naas over 2414m. The stable sent over a similarly regarded stayer in Max Dynamite who ran second to Prince Of Penzance in 2015 and second to Rekindling in 2016. He could be a top-class flat stayer off limited form and would be well weighted if that’s the case, doing no work from the gate.

Soulcombe (GB) – 53.5kg
Barrier - 4
Timeform rating - 119
Jockey – Joao Moreira
Trainer – Chris Waller

Talented son of Frankel who has been earmarked for this race since his Australian debut, winning the Group 3 Queen’s Cup over 2600m during the Melbourne Cup carnival in dominant fashion. Proved he was right on track with a fast-finishing win first up at Caulfield but has been his own worst enemy with slow beginnings forcing him to settle a long way back. Again missed the start badly by 4 lengths in the Caulfield Cup, working home fairly for seventh. Should suit getting back to Flemington and trust Chris Waller to have done everything he can to improve his barrier manners but if he steps slowly from barrier four, he’ll need a lot of luck.

Absurde (FR) – 53kg

Barrier - 8
Timeform rating - 114
Jockey – Zac Purton
Trainer – Willie Mullins

The less fancied of the Willie Mullins pair having run second, beaten 7.5 lengths by stablemate Vauban at Royal Ascot when they met. Did start $6.50 that day (Vauban $1.91) but couldn’t get close. Has raced twice since, struggling in a listed hurdle at Galway before switching back to the flat and winning the Ebor Handicap at York last time out. Heartbreak City won the Ebor in 2016 by 4 lengths rated 117 before running second to Almandin in the Melbourne Cup. Another Ebor winner, Mustajeer (119) ran sixth in the Caulfield Cup and 23^rd in the Melbourne Cup in 2019. Will run the trip but probably lacks the class of his stablemate.

Right You Are – 53kg
Barrier - 15
Timeform rating - 117
Jockey – John Allen
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

Seven-year-old gelding trained by last year’s Melbourne Cup winning trainers. He was well beaten by Gold Trip two starts ago in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes but ran a better race over 2400m in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup last start, finishing fifth. He raced close to a very strong speed that day and didn’t shirk the task, suggesting 3200m might not be as big of an issue as previously thought. Would need to improve at this distance but is in the right stable and has a good, strong rider of stayers on board.

Vow And Declare – 53kg
Barrier - 19
Timeform rating - 118
Jockey – Billy Egan
Trainer – Danny O’Brien

The 2019 Melbourne Cup winner who also ran in 2020 and 2022, finishing 18^th and 10^th respectively. He appears to be going very well this preparation, only beaten two lengths by Cox Plate placegetter Alligator Blood in the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield two starts ago. He ran well last time out in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup when second to Cleveland and is tracking nicely for this. This is the lightest weight he’s carried in a Melbourne Cup since his winning year and he isn’t without an each-way hope.

Ashrun (FR)– 51.5kg

Barrier - 11
Timeform rating - 115
Jockey – Kerrin McEvoy
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

Former Group 1 placegetter in Germany and Group 2 placegetter in France, Ashrun won the Group 3 Hotham (now Archer) and backed up three days later into the 2020 Melbourne Cup where he ran 10^th to Twilight Payment. He’s since been off the scene for nearly three years with a tendon injury but has shown no lasting effects, running three strong races. He hit the line well in the Bart Cummings in the fastest last 600m of the race and only just missed in the Geelong Cup last start. He’d need to improve again but should only get better with racing and trust Maher & Eustace to have him ready to run a good race.

Daqiansweet Junior (NZ) – 51.5kg

Barrier - 12
Timeform rating - 110
Jockey – Daniel Stackhouse
Trainer – Phillip Stokes

Last year’s Adelaide Cup winner and Sydney Cup placegetter ran a very nice race in the Melbourne Cup last year, settling a long way back but running the third-fastest last 200m of the race when sixth to Gold Trip. He’s been building nicely this time in with very comparable form to his lead up last year, running fourth in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes over 2400m at Caulfield last start. He closed off in the second-fastest last 400m of that very slowly run race and will appreciate the rise to 3200m. Another top-six finish would be a great result for connections.

Okita Soushi (IRE) – 51.5kg

Barrier - 20
Timeform rating - 115
Jockey – Dylan Gibbons
Trainer – Joseph O’Brien

Irish raider who can mix his form. Did win a good handicap at Royal Ascot in June over 2414m which is his best piece of recent form, but was well beaten in a four horse Group 3 at Curragh the start after. He then came to Australia and ran in the Caulfield Cup starting $31 but couldn’t get warm after settling near the tail of the field, finishing 12^th, beaten 9.9 lengths. With 13 starts under the belt, it’s unlikely he’s going to suddenly spike and although he’s in very good hands with Joseph O’Brien, he appears to be outclassed in a Melbourne Cup.

Sheraz (FR) – 51.5kg

Barrier - 22
Timeform rating - 110
Jockey – Beau Mertens
Trainer – Chris Waller

Brought to Australia in 2021 with the view of running in a Melbourne Cup but struggled at his debut run and was spelled. Since coming here, he’s had 12 starts for 0 wins and appears to be battling for form of late. Did run a better race last start in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup when beaten two lengths by Cleveland but it was a bunched finish and he didn’t look like threatening. Should have no issue with the two miles but probably hasn’t shown enough to be figuring in the finish, unless he got a preferred, but very unlikely soft track.

Lastotchka (FR) – 51kg

Barrier - 21
Timeform rating - 112
Jockey – Craig Williams
Trainer – Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)

The second of our mares and the fourth runner yet to have an Australian start, this French mare is now in the care of Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr. By Myboycharlie, who sired 2016 Caulfield Cup winner Jameka, Lastotchka is a two-time Group 3 winner over 2800m and 3100m. Craig Williams won the 2019 Melbourne Cup aboard Vow And Declare from barrier 21. She’s never run in a Group 1 but has tactical versatility and stays well. She was purchased by Australian Bloodstock who successfully imported Gold Trip (2022) and Protectionist (2014) to win the Melbourne Cup so must be given serious consideration.

Magical Lagoon (IRE) – 51kg

Barrier - 7
Timeform rating - 112
Jockey – Mark Du Plessis
Trainer – Chris Waller

One of just two mares in the field. Originally trained in Ireland by Jessica Harrington, this daughter of Galileo won the Group 1 Irish Oaks last year as a warm $2.25 favourite. She was then just even behind star, Arc de Triomphe winning filly Alpinista in the Yorkshire Oaks before having one run in Japan, dropping out to finish last and eventually transferring to Chris Waller. She’s had five starts in Australia and while her last start in the Geelong Cup was the best of those, this is much harder.

Military Mission (IRE) – 51kg

Barrier - 5
Timeform rating - 112
Jockey – Rachel King
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott

A last start winner of the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes over 2400m at Caulfield, Military Mission is a tough gelding who can lead or sit off the pace and is adaptable to all tempos. He sat off a very slow tempo last start but still managed to concede weight to most of his rivals and win. The form out of that race has been okay with Brayden Star (7^th) narrowly beaten in the Geelong Cup but the Melbourne Cup will take plenty more winning. Does have 2013 Cup winning trainer Gai Waterhouse in his corner and barrier five has provided the most winners in the history of the Melbourne Cup.

Serpentine (IRE) – 51kg

Barrier - 1
Timeform rating - 115
Jockey – Jye McNeil
Trainer – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott

The second of Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott’s runners and back again after becoming just the second ever Epsom Derby winner to run in a Melbourne Cup last year when trained by Robert Hickmott. Since transferring to Waterhouse & Bott, he’s been very consistent, only finishing outside the first 4 once in six starts and was tough after working early in the Bart Cummings, finishing third. Drops 7kg in the weights and Jye McNeil did lead all of the way in the same colours on Twilight Payment in 2020.

Virtuous Circle (NZ) – 51kg

Barrier - 6
Timeform rating - 115
Jockey – Craig Newitt
Trainer – Liam Howley

Group 1 ATC Derby second placegetter in the Autumn who has been a bit underwhelming this preparation, his best finish in four runs when eighth in the Geelong Cup last time out. He was badly held up two starts back in the Bart Cummings behind Future History and went to the line untested but appeared to have his chance at Geelong and was beaten 4.6 lengths. A handy staying three-year-old, he doesn’t appear to have taken the next step into open age company and whilst open to improvement, a top-ten finish would surprise.

More Felons (IRE) – 50.5kg

Barrier - 24
Timeform rating - 114
Jockey – Jamie Kah
Trainer – Chris Waller

Formerly known as Scriptwriter when racing in the UK and another to have shown good talent as a jumper, his form intertwines with Vauban and Absurde, having run seventh, beaten 12.8 lengths by Vauban at Royal Ascot (Absurde 2^nd) and then eighth, beaten 3.3 lengths by Absurde in the Ebor. Unlike that pair, he’s had a lead up run in Australia, closing off strongly in the fastest late splits for a narrow fifth in the Geelong Cup. Will stay two miles and could work into the top ten without surprise although the wide draw likely means he gets a long way back.

Future History (GB) – 50kg

Barrier - 13
Timeform rating - 112
Jockey – Hollie Doyle
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

This European import joined the Maher & Eustace stable in June and has been racing throughout winter, winning his way into the Melbourne Cup via the Bart Cummings. He made advantage of leading at a slow speed that day but proved it was no fluke with a strong closing third in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup. Profiles very similarly to both Persan and Grand Promenade who were trained by Maher & Eustace and ran fifth and sixth respectively after winning the Bart Cummings. Future History is rated similarly but does get in lighter than both of those horses did at the weights. Two miles is unknown but doubt the stable at your peril.

Interpretation (IRE) – 50kg

Barrier - 17
Timeform rating - 113
Jockey – Teo Nugent
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

Former Listed winner and fourth placegetter in the English St Leger, Interpretation was bought by prominent owners to contest last year’s Melbourne Cup, which he snuck into with 50kg. He failed to finish on that occasion and has since been gelded, his consistency rewarded with a drought-breaking win in last Wednesday’s Group 3 Bendigo Cup. He again gets in with 50kg and the stable did have High Emocean narrowly win the Bendigo Cup before running third in last year’s Cup with Teo Nugent on board. Appears a sounder horse this time in and has had an ideal grounding for 3200m.

Kalapour (IRE) – 50kg

Barrier - 14
Timeform rating - 116
Jockey – Zac Lloyd
Trainer – Kris Lees

Kalapour snuck into the Melbourne Cup field after winning the Group 3 Lexus Archer Stakes over 2500m at Flemington on Saturday. The last horse to complete the Archer-Cup double was Shocking in 2009 but A Prince Of Arran did place in 2018 on the three-day turnaround. Kalapour was able to lead at a very slow tempo on Saturday and continue his good run of form having placed in two races in Sydney prior, including the Group 1 The Metropolitan. The slowly run race looks a good platform to run well three days later but this is a lot harder and he’d need to elevate significantly.

True Marvel (FR) – 50kg

Barrier - 10
Timeform rating - 105
Jockey – Ben Thompson
Trainer – Matthew Smith

An out-and-out stayer who once won by 16 lengths over 3600m at Moonee Valley in benchmark grade, True Marvel almost caused the upset of a lifetime when second in this year’s Sydney Cup, finishing second at $151. In four runs this preparation he hasn’t finished closer than eighth, all in easier company and never looking likely. He’ll enjoy getting to 3200m and dropping to 50kg but would need a wet track to even entertain the idea of him being a fluker’s chance.