The final field for the 2026 Melbourne Cup will be confirmed on Saturday 31 October, with the barrier draw at Flemington from 6:30pm that evening.
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How the Melbourne Cup field is decided
No more than 24 horses can start in the Melbourne Cup (Group 1, 3200m). Entries are cut back at each acceptance stage until the final field is known:
- Second acceptances (13 October) – 58 horses remained.
- Third acceptances (Monday 26 October) – 39 horses remain. Aeliana and Birdman were among those withdrawn, and 2025 winner Half Yours didn't accept.
- Wednesday 28 October – the Bendigo Cup, which can decide the last few spots.
- Saturday 31 October – final acceptances, the final field of 24 plus emergencies, and the barrier draw.
- Tuesday 3 November – Melbourne Cup Day.
Some horses are ballot-exempt: they have already earned a start by winning a key lead-up race. All ten golden tickets have now been won. Ballot-exempt runners include Defiantly, Shockletz, Zakouma, Mr Monaco, Point Of Law (Geelong Cup) and Juja Kibo (Moonee Valley Gold Cup). The rest of the field is decided by the order of entry, which is based mainly on the weight each horse has been given.
Find out more about the runners
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