The Melbourne Cup 2023 is nearly upon us and we have worked to highlight some of the best betting tips for the ‘Race the Stops a Nation’. Check out our selections below, as well as outright odds and best places to bet.
Odds for this race are available with the best Australian bookmakers. We looked at how bet365, Unibet and BlueBet have priced up the outright winner market.
As you can see, Irish raider Vauban is the favourite and will head straight to the contest without a prep run according to trainer Willie Mullins. Gold Trip and Without A Fight head up the Australian challenge with Soulcombe, Breakup, and Absurde making up the top contenders. We have listed the top 10 in the current market below but others are available at bigger prices. Odds will shift as the race nears so always double-check with your chosen bookie before confirming your bets.
*Odds correct at time of writing.
Here you will find our best bets for the famous race. We have included the horse we think can flourish at Flemington in 2023 as well as a bigger-priced outside for each-way punters. As well as top tips, you can also read on to see a more in-depth look at the 2023 contest.
This year’s Melbourne Cup looks set to be another thrilling contest at Flemington. The eyes of the nation will once again be on the famous race.
Vauban had an excellent season over hurdles in 22/23 without being able to get the better of State Man or Constitution Hill in that sphere. However, his transition to the flat has brought some eye-catching displays at Ascot and Naas. He looks to have improvement left in him and the only question mark being the choice of trainer Willie Mullins to send him straight here without an Australian prep.
Soulcombe was doing his best work at the end of the Roy Higgins and the step up in trip here looks ideal on the back of that run behind Goldman, who is another interesting runner given that victory and the way he was able to run all the way to the line after doing plenty in front. He hasn’t quite shone since but can bounce back to top form at a track he clearly likes. Absurde is another Willie Mullins-trained Irish raider that ran well behind Vauban at Ascot but may find it difficult to turn the tables in a rematch.
Without A Fight has come into the Melbourne Cup picture after a good win in the Caulfield Cup. He had both West Wind Blow and Gold Trip in behind that day but has to contend with much more weight in this contest.
Finally, last year’s winner Gold Trip will have plenty of support as he looks to be the first to bag successive victories since Makybe Diva nearly 20 years ago. It’s worth noting that no horse has won carrying more than 58kg since Think Big did so in 1975, so the 58.5kg on the back of the 2022 champion could prove his undoing.
