FLEMINGTON, VIC. — POINT OF LAW is the most inexperienced horse in the race, which produced the best lead-up performance when jumping, running and kept running to win the Geelong Cup.
If he can back up that performance again, he’s the one to beat, but can he do it again? That’s the question, and we won’t learn the answer until around 3.05pm today.
British horse Hopewell Rock begins Melbourne Cup Day as the favourite for the race that stops the nation who is a lightly raced raider with an impressive, consistent record. In the UK he’s regarded as one of the most progressive staying handicappers, and the further he’s gone the better he’s got. An excellent Goodwood winner two back then, game when edged out in a strong Ebor last time.
The four-year-old colt is one of 24 horses preparing to start the 166th edition of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington this afternoon.
Melbourne Cup Form Guide (PDF).
There has been some rain around Melbourne in the past 24 hours, which has resulted in the Flemington track starting Cup Day rated as a Soft 5.
The weather is expected to improve as the day goes on, with a top of about 18°C, whislt currently the temp is about 15°C.
The rail is in 3 metres for Cup Day.
Shockletz was dominant, winning her golden ticket in the Archer Stakes and since then it’s all been about this race. She closed as well as anything in her two runs since and looks trained to the minute to produce a career-best performance on Tuesday. She’s one of the best hopes for the locals.
Zakouma is a lightly raced gelding that booked his place with an Andrew Ramsden win back in May. Made good ground in his first three runs this prep before a glorified barrier trial in the Crystal Mile last week at Flemington. This prep has all been about this race, and not without lightweight claims. He’s a candidate to go into your wider exotics.
The wet start to the morning has been forecast to transform into a mild spring day with a top of 17 degrees Celsius as the big event gets underway, and builds up to the 3pm (AEDT) running of the Cup.
The Melbourne Cup, Australia’s most famous race, is a Group 1 held over a distance of 3200 metres at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne with total prize money of $10,000,000.
Held on the first Tuesday of November each year the ‘race that stops a nation’ is an opportunity to try and back a winner and claim bragging rights over your friends, workmates and family.
The Melbourne Cup was last run on Tuesday, November 4th 2025, and was won by Half Yours.
