$10 million Melbourne Cup ready to stop the nation

Australia’s $10.2 million Lexus Melbourne Cup, run over 3.2km, will be held for the 166th time today at Flemington Racecourse.

Champion trainer Ciaron Maher has a record seven runners, including one of the race favourites Point of Law.

Dual Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Joseph O’Brien has returned with last year’s runner-up Goodie Two Shoes.

Champion jockey James McDonald will ride Trustyourinstinct for the Irish trainer. McDonald rode four winners at the recent Howden Victoria Derby Day.

The 2024 Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice has returned to Flemington for trainers Sheila Laxon and John Symonds, with Robbie Dolan in the saddle.

Entertainment on the day will be led by British performer Robbie Williams.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival Fashions On The Field competition is being held this morning with first winners announced this afternoon.

The race is on at the following times in each state.

Queensland (AEST): 2:00 PM

Victoria, New South Wales, ACT, Tasmania (AEDT): 3:00 PM

South Australia (ACDT): 2:30 PM

Northern Territory (ACST): 1:30 PM

Western Australia (AWST): 12:00 PM

It will be televised live on the Nine Network (free to air).

The Victoria Racing Club’s current Melbourne Cup race list is below.

2026 Melbourne Cup runners

No.	Horse	Barrier	Weight
1	Sons And Lovers	3	57.5kg
2	Trustyourinstinct	18	57kg
3	Knight’s Choice	2	56.5kg
4	Middle Earth	1	56.5kg
5	Vauban	22	56.5kg
6	Enfjaar	8	56kg
7	Royal Supremacy	21	56kg
8	Wine Dark Sea	23	56kg
9	Asterix	6	55kg
10	Goodie Two Shoes	19	55kg
11	Juja Kibo	14	55kg
12	Hopewell Rock	15	54.5kg
13	Onesmoothoperator	13	54.5kg
14	Soul Of Spain	5	54.5kg
15	Zahrann	11	54.5kg
16	So You Are	7	54kg
17	Future History	12	53.5kg
18	James J Braddock	24	53.5kg
19	Kizlyar	20	53.5kg
20	Point Of Law	9	53kg
21	Strictly Business	4	53kg
22	Mr Monaco	16	52.5kg
23	Zakouma	10	52kg
24	Shockletz	17	51kg