A quick look at the 2024 Melbourne Cup horses
This year shapes as a vintage Lexus Melbourne Cup. Via Sistina is looking to back-up after a breathtaking Cox Plate victory, Buckaroo, Zardozi, Circle Of Fire, Kovalica, The Map and Land Legend will be flying the Aussie flag, but they will all come up against highly credentialed raiders such as Willie Mullins’ Vauban, Onesmoothoperator and Japanese raider Warp Speed.
Here is a comprehensive look at every runner hoping to make it to the first Tuesday in November.
VIA SISTINA (IRE) - 7YO Mare 56kg
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: James McDonald
Career: 19:9-4-2
Last start: 1st Cox Plate
Via Sistina became the talk of the town with her track record breaking romp to win the Cox Plate by eight lengths. Five Cox Plate winners have gone on to win the Melbourne Cup at their next start with the last one Makybe Diva in 2005. The Cox Plate has been the lead-in run for two recent Melbourne Cup winners in Verry Elleegant in 2021 (3rd Cox Plate) and Gold Trip in 2022 (9th Cox Plate.) The way she finished off the Cox Plate the extra 1200m shouldn’t be a problem.
The Tip: Top 3
VAUBAN (FR) - 7YO Gelding 55.5kg
Trainer: Willie Mullins (Ireland)
Jockey: William Buick
Career: 20:8-5-2
Last start: 2nd Irish St Leger (The Curragh, IRE)
Irish stayer Vauban was the hype horse last year in the pre-race Melbourne Cup discussions and as a result started favourite at $5.50. The Willie Mullins trained stayer failed to flatter though and finished 14th. There was talk he didn’t handle the firm track but Mullins believed he had got to Australia too early. This year he’s waited to bring him over and his last start second behind superstar stayer Kyprios in the Irish St Leger after a win in the Doncaster Cup demonstrate he’s in superb form.
The tip: Top 5
CIRCLE OF FIRE (GB) - 5YO Horse 54.5kg
Trainer: Ciaron Maher
Jockey: Mark Zahra
Career: 13:3-1-3
Last start: 10th Caulfield Cup
He was favourite for the Melbourne Cup earlier this year after his Sydney autumn which included a win in the Sydney Cup. He hasn’t fired in three runs this time in although his mid-field effort in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington was fair. He didn’t fire a shot in the Caulfield Cup but nor did many other talented runners who struggled on the circuit which was a messy surface. Ciaron Maher has had the luxury of knowing he was certain of a run. No surprise to see Maher weave some magic and have him peaking in the Melbourne Cup.
The Tip: Top 6
BUCKAROO (GB) - 6YO Gelding 54.5kg
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Joao Moreira
Career: 22:5-4-3
Last start: 2nd Caulfield Cup
The gelded son of Fastnet Rock has turned him into one of the best performers in the land. He won the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes before coming to Melbourne and winning the Underwood Stakes. He then finished a close second to his stablemate and subsequent runaway Cox Plate winner in Via Sistina in the Turnbull Stakes. His effort to finish second in the Caulfield Cup was the best run looking towards the Melbourne Cup in the race. He got shuffled back on a day where it was hard to make ground and gave away a huge start to Duke De Sessa which he reduced to 1.25 lengths. He’s got to close.
The tip: Top 3
WARP SPEED (JPN) - 6YO Horse 54.5kg
Trainer: Noburu Takagi (Japan)
Jockey: Akira Sugawara
Career: 23: 4-3-4
Last start: 13th Caulfield Cup
The Japanese raider didn’t fire a shot at his Australian debut when he finished 13th in the Caulfield Cup but he had a multitude of excuses with the first and foremost being he didn’t handle the wet track. He also settled a clear last on a track which played to on-pacers. He should be respected on his best Japanese form which includes a fifth in the Tenno Sho over 3200m at his last run before coming to Australia. His best form is over 3000m and further which includes a win and a Group 2 second at 3000m and a third at Group 3 level over 3400m.
The tip: Top 6
ZARDOZI - 4YO Mare 51kg
Trainer: James Cummings
Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
Career: 18: 6-3-1
Last start: 4th Caulfield Cup
2023 VRC Oaks winner who has been racing in solid fashion. She followed a second to Land Legend in the Metropolitan Handicap with another good effort with a fourth in the Caulfield Cup. James Cummings would love to join his grandfather the legendary Bart Cummings who won the race a record 12 times on the honours board. She’s sure to give some cheek with her lightweight.
The Tip: Top 10
SHARP ‘N’ SMART (NZ) - 5YO Gelding 53.5kg
Trainer: Graeme and Deborah Rogerson (New Zealand)
Jockey: Michael Dee
Career: 22: 6-5-2
Last start: 3rd Moonee Valley Gold Cup
Tough New Zealand stayer who looks back to his best form judging by the way he ran on to finish third in the Moonee Valley Cup coming from close to last before the turn. As a three-year-old he finished second in the Victoria Derby and won the NZ Derby. Rogerson experienced success as a Melbourne Cup winning trainer with Efficient in 2007.
Tip: Top 12
KOVALICA - 5YO Gelding 53.5kg
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Damian Lane
Career: 24: 6-4-2
Last start: 6th Cox Plate
Chris Waller has always had an eye on the 2024 Melbourne Cup for Kovalica who finished off in good fashion when sixth behind his runaway stablemate winner of the Cox Plate, Via Sistina. His last 200m was the third fastest in the race only bettered by Via Sistina and Broadsiding. He’s had one start over 2400m for a win in the 2023 Queensland Derby.
Tip: Top 10
JUST FINE (IRE) - 7YO Gelding 53kg
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Jockey: Jye McNeil
Career: 25: 7-1-2
Last start: 10th Moonee Valley Gold Cup
With his vast ownership group which includes My Racehorse and their micro shares he will have no shortage of supporters on track. He won his way into the Melbourne Cup by winning a Golden Ticket in The Bart Cummings when he led throughout on a slow track. He then finished last in the Moonee Valley Cup but Gai Waterhouse wasn’t perturbed by the performance saying he will be a different horse at Flemington where he will be allowed to roll along. The Queen Of The Turf is chasing her second Melbourne Cup win.
Tip: Top 20
LAND LEGEND (FR) - 5YO Gelding 53.5kg
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Zac Purton
Career: 13: 3-2-1
Last start: 3rd Caulfield Cup
Tried hard in the Caulfield Cup when third to Duke De Sessa. He made a run with 1000m to go and took the race up to Duke De Sessa before the turn. The pair looked like they would fight it out but Duke De Sessa shrugged off his challenge. The commendable part of his effort was that he held down third when it appeared Zardozi would run past him. The 3200m should be right up his alley and he likes a firm surface.
Tip: Top 6
ABSURDE (FR) - 7YO Gelding 52.5kg
Trainer: Willie Mullins (Ireland)
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
Career: 21: 6-6-2
Last start: 1st Chester Stakes (Chester, UK)
Dual purpose Irish stayer who mixes jumps and flat racing successfully for Willie Mullins. Last year he won the Ebor at York before he finished a creditable seventh behind Without A Fight. This year he also heads to Flemington as a last start winner having won the Chester Stakes at Chester. In last year’s Melbourne Cup he swept to the front at the top of the straight and he was grabbed by Without A Fight with 300m to go. He was still second until the 150m mark.
The Tip: Top 10
ATHABASCAN (FR) - 6YO Gelding 52kg
Trainers: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton
Jockey: Zac Lloyd
Career: 29: 4-4-4
Last start: 1st ATC St Leger
He’s in form as he showed with his determined win in the ATC St Leger when he held off a late challenge from Wyclif who looked certain to sprint by him. He finished second in the Sydney Cup at his only start over 3200m earlier this year. His prospects would be enhanced by a wet track.
The Tip: Top 12
MAHRAJAAN (USA) - 7YO Gelding 52kg
Trainers: Shaun Ritchie & Colm Murray (New Zealand)
Jockey: Declan Bates
Career: 24: 5-2-6
Last start: 13th Herbert Power Stakes
Former English galloper who has carved out a good career as a stayer in New Zealand. He hasn’t fired a shot in two runs in Australia with a last in the Sydney Cup and a 13th in the Herbert Power. At home he has had two starts over 3200m for a win in the New Zealand Cup at Riccarton in 2023 and this year’s Auckland Cup. He will need to lift.
The Tip: Top 16
KNIGHT’S CHOICE - 5YO Gelding 51.5kg
Trainers: John Symons & Sheila Laxon
Jockey:
Career: 21: 5-3-2
Last start: 14th Caulfield Cup
It would be a fairytale winning considering he’s co-trained by Sheila Laxon who was successful with Ethereal in 2001. She now resides in Queensland with her co-trainer and life partner John Symons who trained the star Bel Esprit to win a Blue Diamond. Knight’s Choice raced well in Queensland over the winter, but his two Melbourne runs have been poor.
The Tip: Top 24
OKITA SOUSHI (IRE) - 7YO Gelding 51kg
Trainer: Ciaron Maher
Jockey: Jamie Kah
Career: 18: 5-5-3
Last start: 1st Moonee Valley Gold Cup
Ciaron Maher has him humming for a bold showing in the Melbourne Cup. He was a strong last start winner of the Moonee Valley Cup and he recorded a good time. He finished 11th in last year’s Melbourne Cup when trained by Joseph O’Brien. His connections transferred him to Maher and he’s getting better with each start. He appeals as a light-weight chance.
The tip: Top 5
ONESMOOTHOPERATOR (USA) - 7YO Gelding 51kg
Trainer: Brian Ellison (Great Britain)
Jockey: Craig Williams
Career: 37:5-11-5
Last start: 1st Geelong Cup
English stayer who could not have created a bigger impression than what he did in his Australian debut with his win in the Geelong Cup. He sprinted clear of some talented stayers in the closing stages and leading jockey Craig Williams immediately committed to riding him in the Melbourne Cup. This century three international visitors, Media Puzzle (2002), Americain (2010) and Dunaden (2011) went on to win the Melbourne Cup at their next start and he was equally impressive as them.
Tip: Top 5
MURAMASA - 5YO Gelding 51kg
Trainers: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
Jockey:
Career: 16: 4-2-2
Last start: 3rd Geelong Cup
This time last year the son of Deep Impact bolted in with the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and he looked a genuine Melbourne Cup prospect. A disappointing autumn though followed but he’s found form again this spring with his last start third in the Geelong Cup where he held on after racing forward was a pointer to him being a light-weight chance.
Tip: Top 10
VALIANT KING (GB) - 5YO Gelding 50.5kg
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey:
Career: 11: 1-3-1
Last start: 9th Caulfield Cup
He went back from his wide draw and settled well back. He also raced three wide and then attempted to come round the field. He was never in the race but his effort wasn’t that bad as he made up some ground. He finished sixth in last year’s Caulfield Cup when trained by Joseph O’Brien. He could be the best longshot in the race.
Tip: Top 10
INTERPRETATION (IRE) - 7YO Gelding 50kg
Trainer: Ciaron Maher
Jockey: Teo Nugent
Career: 23: 4-2-2
Last start: 2nd Geelong Cup
Last year Ciaron Maher got this stayer to peak at the right time and he seems to have done it again. He won the Bendigo Cup in 2023 and followed that with a sixth in the Melbourne Cup. He could have finished in the placings last year as RV stewards noted he was held up for a run from the 600m to the 400m. His last start second in the Geelong Cup shows he’s ready to replicate that effort.
Tip: Top 8
FANCY MAN (IRE) - 7YO Gelding 50kg
Trainers: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald
Jockey: Ron Stewart
Career: 27: 5-4-5
Last start: 6th Caulfield Cup
He held his ground when he finished sixth in the Melbourne Cup. His previous two efforts at Caulfield were sound where he finished fifth in the Naturalism Stakes and third in the Herbert Power. It’s hard to build a legitimate case for him to have a winning chance.
Tip: Top 20
MOSTLY CLOUDY (IRE) - 6YO Gelding 50kg
Trainers: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
Jockey: Karis Teetan
Career: 28: 6-4-4
Last start: 12th The Bart Cummings
Forget his last start failure when he didn’t handle the going in the Bart Cummings. He’s usually a reliable stayer and he’s got some solid form with a second in The Andrew Ramsden Stakes and the Brisbane Cup to his credit. If he’s ridden quietly and has some luck he could fill a placing at big odds.
Tip: Top 10
POSITIVITY (NZ) - 4YO Mare 50kg
Trainer: Andrew Forsman
Jockey:
Career: 12: 4-2-0
Last start: 8th Moonee Valley Gold Cup
New Zealand trained mare who ran home well for seventh in the Bart Cummings. She then missed the Caulfield Cup and then finished well back in the Moonee Valley Cup where in a surprise she raced forward and was beaten a long way out. She’s a talented stayer on her day but she really needs to lift off her last start.
Tip: Top 16
THE MAP - 6YO Mare 50kg
Trainers: Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray
Jockey: Rachael King
Career: 32:9-3-3
Last start: 6th Geelong Cup
Secured her start in the Melbourne Cup with a game win in the Andrew Ramsden Stakes. This has given her South Australian trainers the luxury of knowing she had gained a start in the Melbourne Cup and train her accordingly. She didn’t get a lot of galloping room when she finished sixth in the Geelong Cup. She was mid-field or worse for most of the race on the fence and didn’t have a lot of galloping room in the straight. When she finally got clear she worked home nicely. She’s ready to run a race in the Melbourne Cup at big odds.
The Tip: Top 10
MISSION OF LOVE - 5YO Mare 50kg
Trainers: John Symons & Sheila Laxon
Jockey:
Career: 17: 3-1-3
Last start: 11th Geelong Cup
Queensland mare who is also in the care of former Victorian John Symons and Sheila Laxon who was the heroine of 2001 when she trained Ethereal to win the Melbourne Cup. Her run two starts ago was fair in The Bart Cummings when fifth. She led in the Geelong Cup and weakened. It’s hard to see her being a factor.
Tip: Top 20
TRUST IN YOU (NZ) - 6YO Gelding 50kg
Trainers: Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley (New Zealand)
Jockey:
Career: 30: 4-5-1
Last start: 4th ATC St Leger
Kiwi who has shown some staying aptitude with his last two runs in Sydney fourths behind Cup rivals Land Legend and Athabascan have been sound but this is a quantum leap in class and he’s also a query at the distance.
Tip: Top 20
SAINT GEORGE (GB) - 5YO Horse 50kg
Trainer: Ciaron Maher
Jockey:
Career: 10: 2-1-2
Last start: 5th Moonee Valley Gold Cup
Another Ciaron Maher runner who has a sense of timing in that he’s getting ready to peak in the Melbourne Cup. He got going late in the Moonee Valley Cup when he came from last to finish fifth with the fastest last 200m split for that race.
Tip: Top 10
BRAYDEN STAR (GB) - 6YO Gelding 50kg
Trainers: Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young
Jockey:
Career: 25: 5-5-3
Last start: 4th Moonee Valley Gold Cup
He was the unlucky runner in the Moonee Valley Cup as he was held up in the straight when he was bolting. If he had of won, he would have been assured of a Melbourne Cup start. Last year he was just beaten by Interpretation in the Bendigo Cup and that horse subsequently ran a great race in the Melbourne Cup.
Tip: Top 8
MANZOIZE - 5YO Gelding 50kg
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey:
Career: 21: 2-4-1
Last start: 7th Moonee Valley Cup
He’s only shown glimpses of the form which he produced when he won the 2022 Victoria Derby which was his last win. That was also his only run at Flemington in his career.
Tip: Top 20
KINESIOLOGY (GB) - 4YO Horse 50kg
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey:
Career: 7: 1-5-0
Last start: 2nd Kilternan Stakes (Leopardstown, IRE)
He’s a lightly raced stayer showing talent in Ireland who has been purchased by astute Australian connections. If he was to gain a start he would run a forward race.
Tip: Top 10
NOT PASSED FIRST BALLOT CLAUSE
FRANCESCO GUARDI (IRE) - 7YO Gelding 52kg
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey:
Barrier:
Career: 28: 5-5-2
Last start: 6th Moonee Valley Gold Cup
He was all the rage two years ago when he won the Moonee Valley Cup in such an impressive fashion that he became Melbourne Cup favourite. Unfortunately he didn’t run in the race. His run in the Turnbull Stakes was encouraging but he was never a winning factor in this year’s Moonee Valley Cup.
Tip: Top 10
LE DON DE VIE (GB) - 9YO Gelding 52kg
Trainer: Ciaron Maher
Jockey:
Career: 37: 7-2-3
Last start: 9th Herbert Power Stakes
He was sidelined for two years and he’s been struggling in his comeback campaign this spring.
Tip: Top 24
SEA KING (GB) - 6YO Gelding 50kg
Trainer: Harry Eustace
Jockey:
Career: 18: 5-1-2
Last start: 6th Ebor Handicap (York, UK)
If this talented English stayer can finish top three in the Bendigo Cup he will qualify for the Melbourne Cup and be on the cusp of a run. If he wins and gains a penalty he will get in. He’s got a great from reference as he finished sixth in the Ebor and last week’s Geelong Cup winner Onesmoothoperator finished seventh.
Tip: Top 10
WALTHAM (GB) - 5YO Gelding 50kg
Trainer: Matthew Smith
Jockey:
Career: 7: 2-0-1
Last start: 3rd ATC St Leger
Former Irish stayer whose last start third in the Metropolitan was his best run since he came to Australia. Matthew Smith trained True Marvel to finish eighth in last year’s Melbourne Cup.
Tip: Top 12
WHISKY ON THE HILL (GB) - 5YO Gelding 50kg
Trainers: Mike Moroney & Glen Thompson
Jockey:
Career: 14: 5-0-2
Last start: 1st Benchmark 84 at Caulfield
Mike Moroney in a YouTube video in September underlined he had a big opinion of Whisky On The Hill an he subsequently won impressively at Caulfield. Moroney has saddled up several Melbourne Cup runners with Brew winning in 2000 the highlight but he has trained placegetters as well. If he can place in the Bendigo Cup he will be close to a run. If he wins and gets a penalty he will be in.
Tip: Top 10
