MELBOURNE CUP 2021 RACE GUIDE

Racingbase.com.au will keep you up to date with the latest 2021 Melbourne Cup news, betting odds & tips.

Australia’s most famous race, known as ‘the race that stops a nation,’ will take place on Tuesday November 2, 2021, in its traditional date on the first Tuesday of November.

The race is run over 3200m and will take place at famous Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria.

Horses aged three years and above can compete in the Group 1 Handicap event which offers prizemoney in excess of $8 million AUD.

Flemington Racecourse attracts upwards of 110,000 to witness the Melbourne Cup live, while millions more around the world tune in to watch the race.

In 2020, it was the Joseph O’Brien-trained Twilight Payment who claimed victory with jockey Jye McNeil in the saddle.

CONTENTS: News | Race Day Schedule | Melbourne Cup Carnival Timeline | Nominations | Order of Entry | Weights | Final Field | Barrier Draw | Live Stream | History | Flemington Weather | Tips & Trends | Horses | Jockeys | Results & Replay | Past Winners | Top 5 Winners | Odds | Bonus Bets | Bet Types | Tickets | Fashion | FAQs

2021 Melbourne Cup Race Info

Melbourne Cup Latest News

2021 Melbourne Cup Day Race Schedule

Melbourne Cup Carnival Timeline 2021

The annual Melbourne Cup carnival is held at the backend of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival which sees racing in Melbourne across multiple world-class thoroughbred racecourses.

The 2021 Melbourne Cup Carnival kicks off when racing shifts to Flemington Racecourse on Saturday, October 30 for Victoria Derby Day and runs through to Saturday November 6 on Stakes Day.

There are a total of eight Group 1 races held throughout the Flemington Carnival which attract the best sprinters, milers, middle distance horses and stayers from Australia and around the world.

Melbourne Cup Nominations & Declarations

Race Nominations

Nominations close at 12:00pm on August 3, 2021 – fee $1650

1st Declaration

Melbourne Cup first declarations close at 12:00pm on September 7, 2021 – fee $1500

2nd Declaration

Melbourne Cup second declarations close at 12:00pm on September 28, 2021 – fee $2000

3rd Declaration

Melbourne Cup third declarations close at 12:00pm on October 12, 2021 – fee $3000

4th Declaration

Melbourne Cup fourth declarations close at 10:00am on October 25, 2021 – fee $4000

Final Declaration

Melbourne Cup final declarations close at 4:30pm on October 30, 2021 – fee $49,500

Melbourne Cup Order of Entry 2021

The 2021 Melbourne Cup order of entry is released in October following the first nominations, and we will get a clearer picture of the likely runners in the race and who will make the Melbourne Cup final field.

While the initial release of weights determines a rough ranking of horses according to ability, the ballot order, which is the entry ranking for the race, is determined by two factors. They are:

1) Whether the horse previously delivered a race performance which qualifies it for the Melbourne Cup (passing the ballot clause); and

2) The weight it has been allotted in relation to the weight it would be given in a weight-for-age race.

Melbourne Cup ballot exempt races

There are four races that give the winner automatic entry to the Melbourne Cup.

The Bart Cummings: The Group 3 Bart Cummings (2500m) is the first ballot exempt race to take place during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carniva and is held at Flemington Racecourse in early October.

Caulfield Cup: Winning the Caulfield Cup (2400m)is a double-edged sword as it gives the winner a ‘free pass’ to the Melbourne Cup but also leaves the horse open to being rehandicapped and having to carry more than its original weight in the Melbourne Cup.

Cox Plate: While only six horses have claimed the Cox Plate (2040m) before taking out the Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate runners have a great record of running a big race on the first Tuesday of November.

The Lexus Stakes: A last chance for horses to make the final field in the Melbourne Cup comes via the Lexus Stakes (2500m). Held on Victoria Derby Day, just three days before the Melbourne Cup, the winner can sneak into the field at the last moment and shatter the hopes of those bordering on the cusp of the final field.

MELBOURNE CUP WEIGHTS 2021

Click the link to see the 2021 Melbourne Cup weights

Melbourne Cup Final Field 2021

The 2021 Melbourne Cup final field is released on Saturday, October 30 after the completion of Victoria Derby Day, four days before the Melbourne Cup takes place.

Although the majority of the field is known before this stage, the Lexus Stakes (2500m) offers one final opportunity for horses to gain entry to the Melbourne Cup.

The Lexus Stakes is one of four ballot exempt races and gives the winner automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup which will be run three days later.

The final field is declared around 6:00pm on Saturday, with the all-important barrier draw to follow approximately one hour later.

To see the 2021 Melbourne Cup final field click here

Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw 2021

The 2021 Melbourne Cup barrier draw occurs at 7:00pm on Saturday, October 30, after the declaration of the final field. It is at this stage we discover which horses have drawn well in favourable gates and which have barriers to avoid. Our experts then crunch the numbers to come up with our 2021 Melbourne Cup betting tips.

See below for the 2020 Melbourne Cup final field and barrier draw.

Melbourne Cup Live Stream

The Melbourne Cup is dubbed ‘the race that stops a nation’ and if you can’t find a television when you ‘stop’ you can still watch the 2021 Melbourne Cup live stream free of charge thanks to TAB.

Australia’s leading bookmaker TAB live streams just about every harness, greyhound and thoroughbred race in Australia – including the iconic Melbourne Cup.

TAB’s live streaming service comes via Sky Racing with three channels covering all the racing action on Sky Racing 1, Sky Racing 2 and Sky Thoroughbred Central.

As well as watching every race in all three racing codes, you can also check the form and bet on them too at TAB via Desktop or their impressive TAB App.

Watch the 2021 Melbourne Cup with TAB

MELBOURNE CUP HISTORY

First held in 1861 and won by Archer who would go on to claim victory the following year, the Melbourne Cup is the highlight of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival and the week-long Melbourne Cup Carnival held at Flemington.

The carnival kicks off with Victoria Derby Day on the Saturday prior to the Cup and is followed by Crown Oaks Day on Thursday and concludes with Stakes Day the following Saturday.

While the inaugural winner of the Melbourne Cup received a gold watch, prizemoney has grown to be in excess of $8 million, making the Melbourne Cup the richest two-mile handicap race in the world.

It attracts the best stayers from Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Japan and is celebrated as the greatest racing carnival on the planet.

Past winners of the Melbourne Cup have gone on to become household names with the immortal Makybe Diva topping the list with her unrivaled three consecutive Cup wins from 2003-2005 with Hall of Fame jockey Glen Boss in the saddle.

Other greats of the turf to have won the prestigious event include Poseidon (1906), Phar Lap (1930), Peter Pan (1932 & 1934), Comic Court (1950), Rising Fast (1954), Rain Lover (1968-69), Think Big (1974-75), Kiwi (1983), Let’s Elope (1991), Saintly (1996) and Might And Power (1997).

Legendary trainer Bart Cummings won the Melbourne Cup on 12 occasions – a feat that will most likely stand the test of time and be a benchmark for any trainer for centuries to come.

The man affectionately known as the ‘Cups King’ died on October 30, 2015 and has been immortalised with a bronze statue at Flemington.

In 1993 the Melbourne Cup rose in international stature when Irish trainer Dermot Weld claimed victory with Vintage Crop.

The first win by a European horse ignited the interest of international trainers who have since become regular visitors to the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Weld would again claim victory in 2002 with Media Puzzle, while other international trainers to have tasted success include: Katsuhiko Sumii (Japan 2006) with Delta Blues, Alain de Royer-Dupre (France 2010) with Americain, Mikel Delzangles (France 2011) with Dunaden, Andreas Wöhler (Germany 2014) with Protectionist. Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien joins Weld as a two-time winning international trainer having claimed victory in 2017 with Rekindling before his victory in 2020 with Twilight Payment.

Sheila Laxon became the first female trainer to capture victory in the Cup when Ethereal saluted in 2001, while Australia’s First Lady in racing, Gai Waterhouse, would claim her first win with Fiorente in 2013.

In 2015, Michelle Payne became the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup when piloting the Darren Weir-trained six-year-old gelding Prince Of Penzance to success at odds of $101.

Melbourne Cup changes in recent years

A recent spate of injuries sustained to international runners during the Melbourne Cup have seen Racing Victoria (RV) introduce some changes in 2021.

• There will now be a cap of 24 overseas entries.
• All international runners must undergo precautionary testing before travelling to Australia as well as diagnostic imaging before each run.
• All horses must have a CT scan of their distal (lower leg) limbs before the Melbourne Cup and an additional veterinary inspection on the day before.
• Any horse who has suffered a previous fracture, or undergone orthopaedic surgery, will not be allowed to compete.
• Internationals may only contest one other race in Australia in the lead-up to the Melbourne Cup.

The Melbourne Cup Trophy

A new Melbourne Cup trophy is handcrafted each year and is made of 18-carat gold. Nicknamed the ‘Loving Cup’ it is valued at approximately $150,000. Miniature Cup trophies are made for the winning trainer and jockey and are valued at around $10,000 while the strapper’s trophy is worth $5000 and is named the Tommy Woodcock after Phar Lap’s famous strapper.

Melbourne Cup Weather 2021

Will the sun shine on Melbourne Cup Day or will an umbrella be needed? Not only will it affect what you wear, but it will also impact on which horses will perform best. Should you back a soft ground horse or one who likes it fast? See below for the latest Melbourne Cup weather forecasts in the build up to the big day.

Melbourne Cup Tips

Finding the Melbourne Cup winner is no easy task as Prince of Penzance proved in 2015 when winning at odds of 100/1. Our experts assess all the Melbourne Cup runners, form, barrier draws, speedmap and more to help our 2021 Melbourne Cup tips to help you back the winner.

Some key pointers to consider are:

• Favourites don’t have a great record
• Being drawn high can affect a horse’s chances
• Six-year-olds have a great record in the Melbourne Cup
• No horse older than eight has won the race
• Internationals to have had a lead up run in Melbourne generally perform better than those who haven’t

In 2017, Rekindling became the first winner since 2000 not to have had their last start in Australia prior to winning the Cup. One year later and Cross Counter also won the Cup without a lead-up run in Australia. The trend continued in 2020 with Twilight Payment winning the Cup without a lead-up run in Australia.

To see tipster Aaron Hamilton’s full 2020 Melbourne Cup Tips and Preview click here

MELBOURNE CUP WINNING TRENDS

We take a look at the winning trends of the Melbourne Cup and try and identify winning patterns based on barriers, age, lead-up form, trainers, jockeys and more.

Selections based on Melbourne Cup Trends will be available following the barrier draw.

Tipster Adam Cusworth provided his 2020 Melbourne Cup Trends.

Melbourne Cup Horses 2021

Which horses are running in the Melbourne Cup? And which of the runners will come out on top at Flemington? We provide a handy guide to the leading contenders for the Melbourne Cup and give our verdict on their chances of victory.

Entries for the iconic staying test will be declared in September, and from there, Racing Victoria’s handicapper will assess each entrant for a handicap which will determine its chances of qualifying for the final field of 24.

Horses can also qualify by achieving one of several ballot clauses or via one of five ballot exempt races.

Check out our 2020 Melbourne Cup Runner-By-Runner Guide 

Melbourne Cup jockeys 2021

We take a look at which jockeys have performed best on the biggest stage in Australian racing.

The grueling 3200m contest requires strength and stamina as well as experience and patience.

See which jockeys have what it takes to be successful in the 2021 Melbourne Cup.

See our 2020 Melbourne Cup Jockey Guide

2020 Melbourne Cup Results & REplay

To see more Melbourne Cup results and replays click here

Melbourne Cup winners (since 2000)

TOP 5 WINNERS OF THE Melbourne Cup

Check out our Top 5 Melbourne Cup Winners and see which champion gallopers made the cut.

Melbourne Cup Odds 2021

Leading bookmakers Sportsbet, Ladbrokes, Neds, bet365 & Palmberbet have their 2021 Melbourne Cup betting odds available.

There will be plenty of movements in the Melbourne Cup betting markets in the days and weeks leading up to the race as fancied runners complete their preparations during the earlier races in the Spring Carnival. Others will emerge as possible contenders after victories throughout the lead up races as the Melbourne Cup approaches.

MELBOURNe Cup bonus bets

Australia’s leading bookmakers offer horse racing promotions and bonus bets every day of the week and the offers really ramp up on Saturday covering most races

From Double Your Winnings, Cash Back offers and Bonus Bet Back for finishing 2nd, 3rd and even 4th, there are plenty of promos to sink your teeth into.

Racingbase hunts down all the daily bookmaker promos and bonus bets and displays them on one page with their T&C’s so you can see what is on offer.

Click below to see Melbourne Cup promos

MELBOURNE CUP BET TYPES

Everyone has a flutter on the Melbourne Cup. But did you know there are many different ways to bet on the race than simply backing a horse to win? Whether you’re staking a couple bucks on the race because you like a name or the colour of the jockey silks, or you’ve got a tip for the horse that will win at Flemington. Read our guide to the different Melbourne Cup bet types or see the rundown of some of the bets below.

SINGLE (Win and Each-Way): The most common bet. The single bet involves betting on your selection to win, place, or both (each-way). If betting each-way, the stake is doubled as you are betting on your selection to win, and also to place.

QUINELLA: A Quinella bet is available on every thoroughbred, harness and greyhound race provided there are at least three or more runners. To win a Quinella, you must successfully predict the 1st and 2nd placegetters in any order.

EXACTA: An exacta is exactly the same as a quinella. However, you must successfully predict the 1st and 2nd placegetters in the correct order.

TRIFECTA: A Trifecta bet is available on every thoroughbred, harness and greyhound race provided there are at least four or more runners. To win a Trifecta, you must successfully predict the 1st, 2nd and 3rd placegetters in a given race.

FIRST4: A First4 bet is available on most thoroughbred, harness and greyhound race provided there are at least four or more runners. To win a First4, you must successfully predict the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th placegetters in a given race.

ALL-IN BETTING: All-In betting involves a bookmaker offering fixed odds on selected feature races prior to the declaration of the final field. All-In betting on the Melbourne Cup, for example, is available for the better part of 12 months leading into the event. The risk with All-In Betting is that you will not receive your stake back if your horse is scratched before the final field is announced.

Melbourne Cup Tickets

More than 110,000 racegoers will be at Flemington to witness the 2018 Melbourne Cup. With admission only possible via pre-purchased ticket, secure your 2021 Melbourne Cup tickets early to avoid disappointment. There is no admission to Flemington on the day.

General Admission: The most affordable option to attend the Melbourne Cup is by purchasing General Admission tickets. Racegoers will have access to all general public areas including the front lawn, Hill Square, Hill Stand level 1, the betting ring, Saintly Place and all public bars.

Lawn Grandstand Reserved Seat: Conveniently located opposite the winning post, the Lawn Grandstand offers great views of the racecourse and Melbourne’s city skyline. The stand is uncovered and patrons are advised to prepare for weather conditions by bringing sunscreen, wet weather clothing etc.

The Precinct: Located adjacent to Flemington train station, The Precinct is a private outdoor ticketed area that does not overlook the racecourse but is a social hub with superscreen viewing of all the racing action as well as other amenities.

The Precinct + Lawn Stand Reserved Seat: A combination of the Lawn Grandstand and The Precinct offers a wide range of viewing and social options for those who like to get out and explore for the day.

Saintly Place Reserved Seat: For those who don’t wish to chance it with the weather, Saintly Place is an indoor, air-conditioned viewing area set behind glass. Located under the Lawn Stand, patrons may be required to stand in order to view the racing action.

Hospitality Packages: The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) offer a wide variety of hospitality packages that can be viewed in their 2016 Melbourne Cup Carnival Corporate Hospitality ebrochure.

WHAT TIME IS THE MELBOURNE CUP?

What time does the Melbourne Cup start? The 2021 Melbourne Cup will be run on Tuesday, November 2, at 3:00pm. We detail the schedule of the day, the race times for Flemington races and who will be singing the national anthem this year.

It is not only the Melbourne Cup, however, that represents the afternoon’s racing entertainment. A total of 10 races are contested during the day, featuring two Group 3 contests and a whole host of other handicap and listed races.

The opening race on Melbourne Cup Day is held at around 10.40am AEST with the finale at 5.15pm. The showpiece race itself, the Melbourne Cup, is contested traditionally at 3.00pm.

Melbourne Cup Fashion 2021

Melbourne Cup fashion is an important part of the day at Flemington. With competitions for the best dressed men and women, the activity off the track is as competitive as it is on the track. Get advice and what to wear, and what to avoid.

While the gents experiment with colourful suits, designer sunglasses and maybe a hat to match, the ladies have the arduous task of matching up dresses, shoes, fascinators or hats and clutches and handbags.

A homemade dress took first prize in the Myer Fashions on the Field in 2015, so before you spend a month’s wages or more on designer labels like Chanel, Dolce and Gabbana or Alex Perry, remember it is simplicity and elegance that counts most when taking on the fashion elite.

FLEMINGTON RACECOURSE

Flemington first opened in 1840 and was originally known as Melbourne Racecourse. The original approach road to the racecourse passed through a property owned by James Watson.

He named his property Flemington after his wife’s hometown of Flemington in Morayshire, Scotland and it is believed that this is how the racecourse’s name was first introduced.

Since then, the track has become the centre-point of Australian thoroughbred horse racing. It was added to the Australian National Heritage list in November 2006 and the site is also listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

The land in which Flemington racecourse now stands was owned by Robert Fleming who intended to use the area for farming cattle and sheep, along with running a butchery in the early 1800’s.

In 1864, the Victoria Racing Club was introduced to Flemington and up until 2001 acted as the principal authority responsible for managing the racing at the track and across Victoria, Australia.

Flemington hosts a total of 14 Group 1s throughout the Australian racing year, headed by the Melbourne Cup and Victoria Derby in the Spring Carnival in October and November.

The Melbourne Cup has been the centrepiece throughout the history of Flemington Racecourse. The two-mile handicap contest is the richest in the Australian racing calendar and routinely draws hundred of thousands of racegoers to the course each November.

Since its first running in 1861, the Melbourne Cup has produced a vast variety of longing memories at Flemington, both on and off of the track. The blend of over 100,000 attendees and world class thoroughbred racing adds further gloss to Flemington’s already rich history.

In 1875, the Melbourne Cup was awarded public holiday status due to the demand for Australian citizens to witness the unparalleled experience that the raceday provides.

Flemington Track Description

Flemington racecourse boasts a large pear shaped course with a circumference of 2,400 metres. It also has a straight six-furlong home-straight known as ‘The Straight Six’ which hosts many of Australia’s most valuable sprint contests including the Darley Classic.

Racing at Flemington is run in an anticlockwise direction making it a left-handed track with a long, sweeping final turn before the straight.

The track itself underwent a number of improvements during the early 21st century, including a new $45 million grandstand which opened in 2000.

Melbourne Cup faqs

Who won the Melbourne Cup 2020?

Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien claimed victory in the 2020 Melbourne Cup with Twilight Payment who defeated his father, Aidan O’Brien’s, horse Tiger Moth. The European visitors claimed all three top placings with the Charlie Fellows-prepared Prince Of Arran finishing 3rd yet again having placed 3rd in 2018 and finishing in 2nd in 2019.

Is the Melbourne Cup a Public Holiday?

The Melbourne Cup is a Public Holiday in Victoria, but not in other Australian states and territories.

Can you watch the Melbourne Cup live online?

Yes! Most bookmakers have live streaming for Australian racing, but in 2020, Australia’s biggest bookmaker, TAB, had an exclusive deal for Melbourne Cup Carnival live vision which saw them as the only betting agency to offer the live stream of the Melbourne Cup and other key features. TAB’s racing live stream service is second to none, and any racing fan wanting to watch racing at any time won’t find a better service. Click here to see our MELBOURNE CUP LIVE STREAM section

Why is the Melbourne Cup so popular?

Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington quickly became the place to be for the rich and famous and fashion elite, and with just 4000 people attending the first Cup in 1861, the crowd size had grown to 100,000 in 1880 – and the population in Victoria was just 290,000. Even famous American writer Mark Twain attended the Cup back in 1895, and was quoted saying:

“The champagne flows, everybody is vivacious, excited, happy.”

“Nowhere in the world have I encountered a festival of people that has such a magnificent appeal to the whole nation. The Cup astonishes me.”

The legend of the Cup has continued to grow with almost the entire nation coming to a standstill on the first Tuesday of November to watch the great race.

What is the Melbourne Cup prize money?

Prizemoney for the Melbourne Cup continues to increase and in 2021, the prizemoney on offer is $8 million AUD. 50 percent of Melbourne Cup runners will earn prizemoney with $4.4 million for 1st, $1.1 million for 2nd, $550,000 for 3rd, $350,000 for 4th, $230,000 for 5th and $160,000 for 6th to 12th place.

What is the Melbourne Cup dress code?

There is no official dress code for General Admission on Melbourne Cup Day, and racegoers will be seen in everything from the highest quality suits and dresses to elaborate outfits designed to draw attention. Head pieces and fascinators are popular with ladies. The VRC Members area is a different story with men required to wear tailored pants, sports coat or blazer as well as tie and dress shoes. Ladies must maintain a standard in keeping with the dignity of the Members area and are prohibited from wearing short jumpsuits, anything that shows off the midriff and shorts.

Why do women wear hats, headwear and fascinators for the Melbourne Cup?

A long standing tradition at the Melbourne Cup has been for women to show their individuality by wearing unique headpieces. As well as providing some relief from sun, headpieces complete the look along with designer dresses, shoes and accessories.

What is the biggest weight carried to victory in a Melbourne Cup?

In 1890, Carbine carried 66kg to victory in the Melbourne Cup. Phar Lap carried 68kg in 1931 but finished 8th.