The 2024 Melbourne Cup field was announced at 4.30 on Saturday 2nd November. The barrier draw was held that evening.
Melbourne Cup Horses 2024
Each year 24 horses square up in the Melbourne Cup which is now regarded as one of the most prestigious racing events in the world.
See below for the final field of 24 runners in the 2024 Melbourne Cup. There are less international raiders than in previous years The horses range from 4 to 7 in age and there are 17 geldings, 4 stallions and 3 mares. No previous winners are running this year. Six runners have won previously over the 3200m distance or longer. There are three trainers that have more than one runner: Chris Waller has five, Ciaron Maher has four and Willie Mullins has two.
Four of the field are sired by Almanzor (Circle Of Fire, Athabascan, Manzoice & Positivity), three by Galileo (Land Legend, Okita Soushi & Interpretation), two by Fastnet Rock (Buckaroo & Absurde), two by Sea The Stars (Just Fine & Sea King) and two by Roaring Lion (Valiant King & Saint George). Four runners were in last year’s Melbourne Cup (Vauban, Absurde, Okita Soushi and Interpretation). There are two 4YOs, eight 5YOs, seven 6YOs and seven 7YOs.
Melbourne Cup Runner by Runner
1. Vauban (11)
Started favourite in this race last year and disappointed running 14th. One of 2 runners for Irish trainer Willie Mullins who has tried to win this race before (and has come close with Max Dynamite in 2015 and 2017). He’s a northern hemisphere six-year-old but shows as a 7YO in the racebook because of a different start to the racing year. Since he was last here he has had 5 starts for a win and 3 places and is capable over hurdles as well as the flat. William Buick will ride and has partnered him at his last 2 starts. Tough competitor who should be hard to beat.
2. Buckaroo (21)
In September he won the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes over 1600m then the Group 1 Underwood Stakes over 1800m with a dominant 3.5 length win which got him into my Melbourne Cup list. He followed that with a close 2nd in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) then runner-up in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) which was another eye-catcher. One of 5 runners for the Chris Waller stable and has international jockey Joao Moreira who has been on him for his last 3 starts. Strong hope.
3. Circle Of Fire (16)
One of 4 runners for Ciaron Maher. He put in a magnificent performance to win the Group 1 Sydney Cup over 3200m back in April then went to the spelling paddock. His 3 runs this preparation have all seen him finish in the back half of the field with the latest 10th in the Caulfield Cup. Jockey Mark Zahra has won the last 2 Melbourne Cups and Ciaron Maher trained the winner in 2022, but on current form I couldn’t back this horse even though I was mega-impressed with his Sydney Cup win.
4. Warp Speed (3)
Japanese runner who arrived here for the Caulfield Cup where he finished 13th. That was his first run since 28th April where he finished 5th in the Group 1 Tenno Sho over 3200m so we can expect to see improvement. Obviously a talented horse and is nicely drawn, but my money won’t be on him.
5. Kovalica (17)
One of the Chris Waller team. He won the 2023 Group 1 Queensland Derby over 2400m but hasn’t won a race since then. He’s the only runner in the field that came via the Group 1 Cox Plate over 2040m on 26th October where he battled on steadily for 6th. He runs on in his races but I think the 3200m is beyond him.
6. Sharp ‘N’ Smart (15)
New Zealand stayer who was an absolute star as a three-year-old winning the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1600m), Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and running 2nd in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) in Australia and winning the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes and Group 1 NZ Derby (2400m) in NZ. The NZ Derby in March 2023 was his last win. At his latest start he showed a glimpse of his former brilliance when chasing home solidly in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup over 2500m on 25th October, where he was slowly away and looked good for longer. Has some claims.
7. Just Fine (13)
Imported runner who joined the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable last year and won his first 3 Australian starts in September 2023. His best recent performance was a narrow win in the Group 3 Bart Cummings over 2520m where he fought on gamely. His latest run was last in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup where he went too hard early. At his best he could be in the finish
8. Land Legend (18)
At his first Australian start he led all the way to win the St Leger (2600m) in October 2023. He won the Group 1 Metropolitan (2400m) on 5th October then finished 3rd in the Caulfield Cup on 19th October where he was slowly away and over-raced early. Another Chris Waller runner and gets Zac Purton who rode him last start. One for the exotics.
9. Absurde (7)
Willie Mullins’s second runner who finished 7th in last year’s Melbourne Cup. He’s had 2 wins back in the UK since then, with a win in a Handicap Hurdle over 3419m on heavy going in March and a win in the Listed Chester Stakes over 2916m on 31st August. Kerrin McEvoy will ride this year (last year Zac Purton rode him) and his trainer says he’s much happier with the horse this year. Definite chance.
10. Athabascan (2) – SCRATCHED
At his only run at 3200m he finished 2nd in the 2024 Sydney Cup so he will get the distance. He’s come into form at the right time with a narrow win in the Group 3 St Leger over 2600m at his latest start. Doesn’t have the class of some other runners but should be in the first 10 home.
11. Knight’s Choice (6)
This five-year-old gelding has never won beyond 2000m. The best of his 4 runs this preparation was 5.2 lengths 5th in the Group 3 Bendigo Cup over 2400m on 30th October where he was held up in the straight. Looks tested.
12. Okita Soushi (10)
He was an Irish raider from the Joseph O’Brien stable last year where he finished 12th of 18 in the Caulfield Cup and 11th in the Melbourne Cup. He stayed in Australia and moved to the Ciaron Maher stable. He’s had 4 runs since then with the latest 2nd in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) on 12th October and a win in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) on 25th October. Has come good at the right time and will be ridden by Jamie Kah who is also in form. He has won at 3200m and looks a very real chance this year.
13. Onesmoothoperator (12)
UK raider trained by Brian Ellison in North Yorkshire who has won up to 3319m. He has had one Australian start where he was an impressive winner of the Group 3 Geelong Cup over 2400m on 23rd October. Looks to be one of the main chances.
14. Zardozi (4)
One of the 3 mares in the race and one of only two four-year-olds. She is trained by James Cummings whose grandfather Bart was the greatest Melbourne Cup trainer ever. Zardozi won the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) a year ago, and the last mare to win the VRC Oaks then the Melbourne Cup was Light Fingers who was trained by Bart. She has finished a close 2nd in The Metropolitan (2400m), 4th in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and 5th in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes over 1600m on Saturday where she came from well back and was looking for further. Would love to see her make Cummings history, and it isn’t beyond her.
15. Sea King (1)
Another UK raider. At his last UK run he was 6th in the Ebor Handicap over 2816m in August. He debuted in Australia with an eye-catching 3.8 length win in the Group 3 Bendigo Cup last Wednesday and went straight into my Melbourne Cup list. Really like this one.
16. Valiant King (22)
Came to Australia from the UK last year and ran 6th in the 2023 Caulfield Cup. He’s transferred from Joseph O’Brien to Chris Waller and has had 3 recent runs with the latest 9th in the Caulfield Cup. where he came from a long way back and had the fourth best last 200m split of the race. Should get the distance but I prefer others.
17. Fancy Man (19)
Ran 2nd in the Group 2 Herbert Power (2400m) then 9.7 lengths 6th in the Caulfield Cup. He hasn’t tackled the distance before and hasn’t won beyond 2400m. Unlikely.
18. Interpretation (14)
Failed to finish in the 2022 Cup after being eased down at the 1200m then ran 6th last year following a narrow win in the 2023 Bendigo Cup (2400m). This year his lead-up race was 2nd in the Geelong Cup. He will get the distance and should be in the first 10 home.
19. Manzoice (8)
Another from the Chris Waller stable. He has only had 2 wins in his 21 start career and the latest was in the 2022 Group 1 Victora Derby (2500m). He will carry 5kg less than he did in his latest race where he finished 7th in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m), but I don’t think it is enough to get him in the finish.
20. Mostly Cloudy (16)
Imported stayer that made his Australian debut in May 2023. He has won up to 3300m and seems to like Flemington. Was runner-up in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) back in June but was very disappointing last run when he only beat one home in the Group 3 Bart Cummings (2520m). Not the worst.
21. Positivity (20)
Lightly raced four-year-old mare. As a three-year-old she was runner-up in the Group 1 NZ Oaks (2400m) and won the Group 3 SA Fillies Classic (2500m). As a 4YO she has won the Group 3 Naturalism (2000m) and ran well in the Bart Cummings (2520m) but then only beat a couple home at her latest run in the Moonee Valley Cup. Has some claims but think she will come back stronger next year.
22. Saint George (9)
The least experienced runner in the field with only 10 races so far. An imported stallion who has had 4 runs for the Ciaron Maher stable he is yet to win in Australia. At his latest start he worked home strong out wide to finish 3 lengths 5th in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup with the best last 200m of the race. It would be no surprise to see him in the finish.
23. The Map (23)
Wonderful South Australian mare who has won 9 of her 32 starts and has been to Flemington 3 times before for 2 wins including the 2024 Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes over 2800m which got her into the Cup. She has been closing off well in her races and ran 2nd in the Group 2 2024 Adelaide Cup (3200m) which was her only race at the distance. Would love to see her collect prizemoney here.
24. Trust In You (5)
New Zealand stayer who has had 3 Australian starts running 4th in The Metroplitan (2400m) and 4th in the St Leger (2800m). Will put in an honest performance but others will be quicker.
See our Melbourne Cup tips