The 24-horse Melbourne Cup field is set. Favourite Point Of Law drew barrier 9, Trustyourinstinct drew 18, and Defiantly is out.
The field for Tuesday's Melbourne Cup (3200m) is locked in. Market favourite Point Of Law has come up with a handy middle draw, while the second-favourite Trustyourinstinct has been pushed out wider.
Favourite well placed
Ciaron Maher's Point Of Law drew barrier 9 and carries 53kg with Ethan Brown aboard. From that gate he should be able to find a spot in the first half of the field without using too much petrol. Trustyourinstinct, the Joseph O'Brien stayer to be ridden by James McDonald, drew 18 and eased slightly in the market after the draw.
Key runners and their barriers
- Middle Earth (Maher / Mark Zahra), 56.5kg, barrier 1. He was third in the Cup last year.
- Knight's Choice (Symons & Laxon / Robbie Dolan), 56.5kg, barrier 2. He was the 2024 winner.
- Sons And Lovers (O'Brien), the 57.5kg topweight, barrier 3
- So You Are (Bjorn Baker / Rachel King), 54kg, barrier 7
- Point Of Law (Maher / Ethan Brown), 53kg, barrier 9, favourite
- Juja Kibo (Maher / Sam Clipperton), 55kg, barrier 14. He won the Metropolitan and the Moonee Valley Cup.
- Hopewell Rock (George Boughey / Zac Lloyd), 54.5kg, barrier 15
- Shockletz (Maher), 51kg, barrier 17
- Trustyourinstinct (O'Brien / James McDonald), 57kg, barrier 18
- James J Braddock (O'Brien / Craig Williams), 53.5kg, barrier 24
Late changes
Joseph O'Brien's Defiantly was withdrawn on Saturday, and stablemate Kizlyar came into the field from barrier 20. Future History also made the final 24 after other runners dropped out.
There is also a doubt over a rider. Harry Coffey, who is booked for Shockletz, was taken to hospital on Saturday with a suspected broken collarbone after his Derby mount Pondalowie fell in the straight. Keep an eye on the jockey declarations for Shockletz before Tuesday.
The punting angle
Maher has seven runners in the race, so expect plenty of talk about which one the stable prefers. Mid-to-inside gates suit horses that can hold a forward or midfield spot. Wide drawers like Trustyourinstinct and James J Braddock will need luck in running or a strong tempo to be seen at their best. Check the final scratchings and track rating on the morning before you settle on a staking plan.
See every runner on our Melbourne Cup horses page.
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