Our aim is to help you out in making your 2023 Melbourne Cup predictions. Once again, 24 runners will line up for the race that stops a nation. This year’s crop is looking to emulate greats such as Makybe Diva, but also last year’s winner Gold Trip.

We go into the latest Melbourne Cup favourites for the biggest horse race in Australia. We give our tips on picking out the Cup winner, we list past trends and let you know when the final field barrier draw is due.

Content Index

Melbourne Cup Favourites 2023

If you’re placing bets on your Melbourne Cup predictions, remember the odds will change. Betting tips are available near race time, with the main task being to find the Melbourne Cup winner. As of now, these horses have the shorts odds of being the 2023 Melbourne Cup winner:

Vauban

The Irish-trained galloper really is very short at around $4 in most places. The Royal Ascot winner has passed the ballot and has a handy weight of 55kg. This has been the plan for a long time.

Soulcombe

The former British runner is really reaching his peak now. Chris Waller’s horse was a winner at Flemington at last year’s Spring Carnival. This year, he has won a Listed race and was a good fourth in the Underwood.

Just Fine

Once owned by the King, Just Fine is now 3-3 in Australia since joining the Waterhouse/Bott team. Having already won a Group 3 at Randwick, he returned to land the Metropolitan. That win means he’s been raised 0.5kg in the Melbourne Cup weights, but he still looks pretty well treated.

Melbourne Cup Predictions

Melbourne Cup Tips

Getting your Melbourne Cup predictions right is never easy. We’re all looking for the next Makybe Diva.

After the final field is known, you can simply take on board some good betting tips. If you want to pick out your Cup horse racing bets before that, keep these points in mind:

  1. Horse Form. Very few horses win the Cup when out of form. Class is a very important factor in horse racing. Look out for horses with proven form at the highest levels.
  2. Race Distance. The winner of a Melbourne Cup doesn’t have to be proven over 3200m. That said, they need some stamina so look for those winning over 2400m at least.
  3. Trainers. More so than jockeys, good trainers are needed. There aren’t too many fairy tale stories for small trainers winning the Cup. Look out for those with real quality and top-level wins.
  4. Betting Value. After your Melbourne Cup predictions, get good value odds for your bet. Don’t place bets at odds of 7/1 when 9/1 is available on another betting site.

Betting Trends

Past betting trends can help Melbourne Cup predictions. After checking out the last 20 Melbourne Cup renewals for any consistent racing these, we reckon you should keep these things in mind when picking a Cup winner:

  • 20/20 won at 20/1 or shorter in the betting.
  • 20/20 were beaten no more than seven lengths last time out.
  • 20/20 didn’t race over more than 3200 metres beforehand.
  • 20/20 had previously won a Group race.
  • 19/20 did not carry more than 54kg.
  • 19/20 were placed in Group 2 races at least.
  • 19/20 previously raced within 52 days of the Cup.

Such trends may not completely shape Melbourne Cup betting. They are good horse racing rules to keep in mind for your Melbourne Cup predictions.

Top Melboune Cup Bookmmakers

Below you’ll find the top operators who offer the opportunity to bet on the Melbourne Cup:

  1. bet365

    Up to $100 in Bet Credits
    • The bonus code BETMAX365 can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way.
    Up to $100 in Bet Credits for new customers at bet365. Make a qualifying deposit (min $10), place bets to deposit value, once they are settled, matched amount in Bet Credits available to use. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Full T&Cs
  2. Betway

    Get a Free Sports Bet up to $60
    New Customers from New Zealand only. Min Deposit: 10 NZD. First deposit matched up to 60 NZD. 1 x wagering at odds of 1.75+ to unlock Free Bet. Credit Card and Debit Card deposits only. T&Cs Apply Full T&Cs
  3. LeoVegas

    Matched Free Bet up to $50
    18+. New customers only. Minimum deposit $20. Place a qualifying bet of $10 or more on odds of 1.8 and receive the free bet once the bet is settled. T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs
  4. 10bet

    Claim your up to €50 welcome bonus
    18+. The minimum qualifying deposit for this promotion is €15. To be eligible for this promotion, players must input PLAY50 in the ‘Bonus Code’ field when making a qualifying deposit into their Main Cash Account (Balance). Your qualifying deposit and bonus must be wagered five times on: (1) settled single sports bets with odds of at least 1.80; or (2) settled combo bets with odds of at least 1.40 per selection before you can withdraw your bonus and any winnings resulting from it. The wagering requirements must be met within 30 days of your first deposit.10bet’s General Terms and Conditions apply. Full T&Cs
  5. Stake.com

    200% Deposit Bonus Offer
    18+. The bonus is exclusive to new customers and is given only once. Canvassing leads to disqualification and closure of the account. The minimum deposit is $100. The 200% bonus up to $1000 will be credited within 24 hours of depositing and reviewing the account. The wager attached to the bonus is 40x (deposit + bonus). All sportsbook games, and casino, can use up the bonus. The bonus works in tandem to the Stake.com general terms and conditions. Once the bonus is activated, the users can check the rollover competition in the corresponding tab of the VIP section. Full T&Cs

*Please note that the bet365 bonus code BETMAX365 can be used during registration but does not change the offer in any way.

Melbourne Cup Final Field Declarations

We’re still at the various nominations stages now. Confident betting tips aren’t really on offer. Before picking the Cup winner, knowing the final field is crucial.

The final field is known and the barrier draw is conducted on Saturday, November 4. After that, a bet can be more confident and Melbourne Cup predictions are more reliable.

Conclusion

We hope our Melbourne Cup betting tips help you find the winner. The next Makybe Diva, Verry Elleegant or Gold Trip is out there. Getting a bet on the right one is another matter.

Before you confirm your final Melbourne Cup predictions, be sure to check out the form. Keep on eye on the top trainers and watch our trends before you bet on your Cup horse on November 7th.

FAQ

We answer your key questions about Melbourne Cup predictions and Melbourne Cup betting.

🏇 Who is the favourite to win the Melbourne Cup 2023?

Vauban is the current favourite, with odds ranging from $4.00 to $5.50. Soulcombe is next on the list at $9.00.

🏇 How do you place a bet on the Melbourne Cup?

Head to any good online bookmaker. Look for ‘ante-post’ or ‘future’ betting. Click on Melbourne Cup then check out all the odds. Click on the odds of the horse(s) you like and make your bets.

🏇 When is the Melbourne Cup?

The Melbourne Cup is next run on Tuesday, November 7th, 2023.