It’s the race that stops the nation and the 2024 instalment of the Melbourne Cup is set to be a great race. There are a number of international raiders with differing formlines to try line up, while the top local hopes are all in very good form coming into the big race.
The Chris Waller trained Buckaroo is equal favourite alongside Irish raider Vauban.
Many of the top local hopes will be contesting their first Melbourne Cup with the likes of Kovalica, Land Legend and Zardozi chasing the ultimate glory in their Cup debuts. There are four horses from Europe who make up the field with favourite Deauville Legend and second favourite Onesmoothoperator making the trip over for Australia’s great race.
As expected, this race shapes up to be a huge spectacle and while the early market suggests Buckaroo and Vauban will be tough to beat, outside of them, it is a wide-open race and plenty of value to be found if you can jag the winner!
Luckily for you, Adam Page, has stepped in to preview every runner in the big race including his suggested top four chances and other bets for the race at the bottom of the page. Check out his Melbourne Cup preview and Racing Tips below.
2024 Melbourne Cup Runner By Runner Preview
1. Vauban
Why It Can Win: His 2024 staying form is elite, riddled with Kyprios, the best stayer in the world, so the form he brings is well and truly A1 for this.
Why It Can't Win: He had every chance in the race last year and I do have queries on him in a testing 3200m, which this will be.
2. Buckaroo
Why It Can Win: He comes through the traditional lead up, the Caulfield Cup, and was the real eye catcher in defeat.
Why It Can't Win: Not yet proven at 3200m and if you wanted to break down the Caulfield Cup, he was out in time to win.
3. Circle Of Fire
Why It Can Win: Unbelievable Sydney Cup win when three wide no cover for the trip, so the 3200m is no issue.
Why It Can't Win: He has done nothing this prep and is not racing in the form of the Autumn.
4. Warp Speed
Why It Can Win: Elite stayer from Japan who has an unbelievable record in races that are 3000m and beyond. Has form around T O Royal, regarded as the best stayer in Japan and one of the best stayers in the world. The Japanese rarely get it wrong when they come to Melbourne for the first Tuesday in November.
Why It Can't Win: He was well and truly down the track in the Caulfield Cup. He finished 13th, beaten over 16 lengths, in what wasn't a vintage edition of the Caulfield Cup. The track was Soft, so it's clear that he needs dry ground and if rain does arrive at Flemington, he's going to struggle.
5. Kovalica
Why It Can Win: He is a WFA horse, and that usually stands up when it comes to the Melbourne Cup.
Why It Can't Win: He hasn't won in a long time, he's not yet proven at two miles and is drawn tricky.
6. Sharp N Smart
Why It Can Win: He kept finding the line and was good in defeat in the Moonee Valley. Gets good weight relief and is racing like 3200m suits.
Why It Can't Win: Very inconsistent horse who is hit and miss, even in the run. And has no turn of foot.
7. Just Fine
Why It Can Win: He will likely lead the field up and being on speed can be no disadvantage at times when racing at Flemington.
Why It Can't Win: He led and was very weak late in the Moonee Valley Cup, looking a tired horse.
8. Land Legend
Why It Can Win: Has a big engine under the hood and was one of the runs of the race in defeat in the Caulfield Cup.
Why It Can't Win: Zac Purton had no control of him in the Caulfield Cup and if he does something similar here, he's going to struggle to run 3200m.
9. Absurde
Why It Can Win: Like Vauban, he has gone back home and found good positive form, though this guy has done it over the jumps as well as the flat.
Why It Can't Win: Again, like Vauban, he had every chance in the race last year, and I am not sold on the rider booking.
10. Athabascan
Why It Can Win: He was game in defeat in the Sydney Cup behind Circle Of Fire and is right down in the weights for an in form Zac Lloyd.
Why It Can't Win: He did have every chance in the Sydney Cup and I don't think he is going as well this time in.
11. Knights Choice
Why It Can Win: Showed signs of life in the Bendigo Cup and was good in defeat in restricted room.
Why It Can't Win: He's a nice horse, but he's not up to this level. He'll struggle to beat a runner home, which is going to be said about a few down below.
12. Okita Soushi
Why It Can Win: He has found form at the right time and has that sense of timing for a leading stable, highlighted by a last start Moonee Valley Cup triumph.
Why It Can't Win: He was midfield in the race last year and he did start the prep looking like an ordinary horse. The trip is going to be a query.
13. Onesmoothoperator
Why It Can Win: Hard to get away from his Geelong Cup triumph, which was similar to Media Puzzle, who won that and then the Melbourne Cup.
Why It Can't Win: Injured during the week, which is far from ideal leading into the Grand Final and his overall UK form is suspect.
14. Zardozi
Why It Can Win: She loves Flemington and was quite good in defeat in the Caulfield Cup, which is the traditional lead up.
Why It Can't Win: She didn't exactly savage the line in the Caulfield Cup, and didn't scream out like she wants 3200m. Hasn't won in some time either.
15. Sea King
Why It Can Win: The Bendigo Cup win was just as impressive, potentially more impressive, than that of Onesmoothoperator in the Geelong Cup.
Why It Can't Win: He didn't quite see out the staying trips in the UK so the query is 3200m, as well as the steep class rise because the Bendigo Cup wasn't vintage.
16. Valiant King
Why It Can Win: He wasn't too bad given the circumstances in the Caulffield Cup and was forced right out wide, which wasn't the spot to be.
Why It Can't Win: He has done little/nothing since arriving from overseas and for mine, he is going to struggle at 3200m.
17. Fancy Man
Why It Can Win: Given a great ride in the Caufield Cup and kept finding the line in a pretty good effort.
Why It Can't Win: He hasn't set the world on fire this time in as a whole and his overall form does read very suspect for a Melbourne Cup.
18. Interpretation
Why It Can Win: Ran well in the race last year and was good in defeat behind Onesmoothoperator in the Geelong Cup.
Why It Can't Win: He hasn't done much outside Geelong and how far back will he get in the run? He may spot them too much head start.
19. Manzoice
Why It Can Win: Has a liking for Flemington given he won the 2022 Victoria Derby, so the track will be no issue.
Why It Can't Win: He hasn't won since the Derby and his last couple of runs have been poor. Not looking like a coming Melbourne Cup winner.
20. Mostly Cloudy
Why It Can Win: He should have won the Brisbane Cup over two miles in the Winter and he has shown the quality to say he can run well in a race like this.
Why It Can't Win: His last couple of runs have been quite poor and comes through far inferior form.
21. Positivity
Why It Can Win: Showed good ticker to win the Naturalism and has the Kiwi bloodlines, which is always to be respected in staying features.
Why It Can't Win: She has been legless after the Naturalism and she is the one that I think will run last. No chance.
22. Saint George
Why It Can Win: He has been racing like he has had eyes on just one race, this, and was an eye catcher in the Moonee Valley Cup.
Why It Can't Win: Has no turn of foot and may concede too much start, plus there is a query on his class.
23. The Map
Why It Can Win: She has a real liking for Flemington and has been set for the race given she won the Andrew Ramsden, a golden ticket race.
Why It Can't Win: Looked to have every chance in the Geelong Cup and was quite poor late in the piece. Not going well enough to win.
24. Trust In You
Why It Can Win: Kiwi stayer and it's rare that a stayer from New Zealand doesn't run two miles out. He'll keep whacking away.
Why It Can't Win: He'll run the trip, but I think he'll run it very slowly and is similar to Positivity. He's going to struggle big time.
First Four:
1st: Sea King
2nd: Buckaroo
3rd: Warp Speed
4th: Zardozi
Sea King to Win
$9.50 (1 Unit)
