FREE: Melbourne Cup Preview & Tips
The secrets we’ve learned over 30 years of picking and backing horses – the trends, the last 10 winners and the contenders to watch.
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Melbourne Cup Early Markets
Bookies open up their early markets almost as soon as the previous Cup has been run and won.
It is hard enough to pick a Melbourne Cup winner on the day of the race, let alone months out from the Cup. The biggest disadvantage: your horse might not be there on Cup day
However, there is a big advantage and you should consider jumping in to secure some outstanding value on a chosen runner .... and remember the closer we get to Melbourne Cup day, the more the prices will reflect the chances of those horses on race day.
It's common for horses to be quoted at massive prices before they firm to single figure prices on cup day. (The 2014 winner, Protectionist (won 8/1) is a good example, a few months out from the Cup you could secure odds at over 50/1).
If you can get it right it can be very rewarding!
Who will Win the 2026 Melbourne Cup?
Our free 2026 Melbourne Cup tips are in The 2026 Melbourne Cup Guide, updated through Cup week in the lead-up to Cup Day, Tuesday 3 November 2026.
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