Melbourne Cup guide: Start time, how to watch, odds, who are the favourites
There’s something special about this year’s edition of the Melbourne Cup as a red-hot favourite follows in Phar Lap’s footsteps.
The Melbourne Cup is almost here and we’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about the race that stops the nation.
Incentivise is a red-hot favourite to win, paying $2.50 with the TAB after drawing barrier 16 on Saturday.
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It makes the Peter Moody-trained stayer the shortest priced Melbourne Cup favourite since legendary horse Phar Lap 91 years ago. In 1930, Phar Lap won the prestigious Australian race at $1.73 and in 1929 finished third as the $2 favourite.
A crowd of 10,000 fully vaccinated spectators will be at Flemington to cheer on the runners come Tuesday at 3pm, as Victorians receive more freedoms while the state opens up from lockdown.
Under the restrictions that will still be in place, punters will be separated into different seating zones, with food and drinks only being served as part of table service. Masks will also be mandatory.
Click here to check out our ultimate runner-by-runner form guide. Everything else you need to know about the Melbourne Cup you’ll find below.
What time is the race?
Perth — 12pm
Darwin — 1:30pm
Brisbane — 2pm
Adelaide — 2:30pm
Melbourne — 3pm
Sydney — 3pm
Canberra — 3pm
Hobart — 3pm
How far is the race?
It’s 3200m from start to finish at Flemington.
Race day schedule (all times AEDT)
10.45am — Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m)
11.20am — The Macca’s Run (2800m)
12pm — Subzero Handicap (1400m)
12.40pm — Furphy Plate (1800m)
1.20pm — Grinders Coffee Roasters Trophy (1400m)
1.55pm — Schweppervescence Plate (1000m)
3pm — Melbourne Cup (3200m)
4pm — The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m)
4.40pm — TAB Trophy (1800m)
5.15pm — MSS Security Sprint (1200m)
What will the weather be like
It’s looking like an absolute cracker in Melbourne on Tuesday. The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting the sun will be shining and the Victorian capital will hit a top of 29C.
How to watch and listen
Channel 10 will once again be the free-to-air broadcaster for the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Foxtel’s Sky Racing will provide coverage of Melbourne Cup day, but the race that stops a nation will be shown on delay by a handful of minutes.
You will also be able to watch the race live on streaming platforms TenPlay, Racing.com and Kayo.
Meanwhile, several radio stations will be providing live commentary of the race:
— RSN Racing & Sport on 927 AM
— 3AW in Melbourne on 693 AM
— Triple M: Sydney 104.9 FM, Brisbane 104.5 FM, Adelaide 104.7 FM and Melbourne 105.1 FM
— ABC Grandstand
— SEN on 1116 AM
Prize Money
1st: $4.4 million
2nd: $1.1 million
3rd: $550,000
4th: $350,000
5th: $230,000
6th-12th: $160,000
TAB odds (win/place)
1. Twilight Payment — $12/$3.60
2. Incentivise — $2.50/$1.45
3. Spanish Mission — $9/$2.90
4. Verry Elleegant — $12/$3.60
5. Explosive Jack — $41/$10
6. The Chosen One — $51/$12
7. Delphi — $34/$8
8. Ocean Billy — $81/$17
9. Selino — $71/$16
10. Johnny Get Angry — $71/$16
11. Knights Order — $151/$26
12. Persan — $34/$8
13. Carif — $151/$26
14. Master of Wine — $71/$16
15. Pondus — $41/10
16. Grand Promenade — $19/$5
17. Miami Bound — $101/$20
18. Port Guillaume — $126/$24
19. She’s Ideel — $81/$17
20. Future Score — $201/$35
21. Tralee Rose — $15/$4.20
22. Floating Artist — $16/$4.40
23. Great House — $23/$6
24. Sir Lucan — $26/$7
Past Melbourne Cup winners
2020: Twilight Payment
2019: Vow and Declare
2018: Cross Counter
2017: Rekindling
2016: Almandin
2015: Prince of Penzance
2014: Protectionist
2013: Fiorente
2012: Green Moon
2011: Dunaden
2010: Americain
2009: Shocking
2008: Viewed
2007: Efficient
2006: Delta Blues
2005: Makybe Diva
2004: Makybe Diva
2003: Makybe Diva
2002: Media Puzzle
2001: Ethereal
2000: Brew