Melbourne Cup 2021: Guide to all runners, odds and tip

Welcome to our Melbourne Cup runner-by-runner guide and tips, which will give you a clear insight into the race that stops a nation in Australia. The 2021 Melbourne Cup is on Tuesday, November 2, at Flemington in Melbourne. Below we have examined the field in detail.

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All about the Melbourne Cup
How to place a trifecta on the Melbourne Cup

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Which horse will win the 2021 Melbourne Cup?

Our big-race expert ”Magic Mike” has examined the 24 runners for the 2021 Melbourne Cup Here is his runner-by-runner guide to each of the contenders for the group 1 race which offers around $A8 million in prizemoney.

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1. TWILIGHT PAYMENT
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien; Jockey: Jye McNeil. Weight: 58kg. Barrier: (2).
Age/sex: 9yo gelding. Record: 35: 9-11-8
Prizemoney: $5,682,805

What the World Gambling List says: Last year’s brilliant all-the-way winner back to defend his crown. Is he too old? His form in Ireland of late has been even better than last time. His age won’t stop him but the big weight might. The field is certainly not as deep as last year’s though so the old boy should be in the first 10 at worst.
UniBet odds: $11

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2. INCENTIVISE
Trainer: Peter Moody; Jockey: Brett Prebble. 57kg (16)
Age/sex: 5yo gelding. Record: 12: 9-0-0
Prizemoney: $4,643,300
What the World Gambling List says: The boom horse heading into this as hot favourite and seeking a 10th straight win. He carries the weight of a nation and going by his Caulfield Cup demolition job, he is clearly the one to beat. But his trainer Peter Moody says his grand final was the Caulfield Cup, and there are also question marks about his ability to run out a strong 3200m. This horse might just be a champion, though, so we rate him as the likely winner. Just a galloping machine when he gets into rhythm,
UniBet odds: $2.60

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3. SPANISH MISSION
Trainer: Andrew Balding; Jockey: Craig Williams. 57kg (14)
Age/sex: 6yo stallion. Record: 12: 6-2-2
Prizemoney: $1,174.942
What the World Gambling List says: This European star had to pass a vet check to get into the field but if he is at his best, he will certainly be in the thick of the action. Has form around some of the best stayers in the northern hemisphere, and is only lightly raced. His jockey knows his way around Flemington, and we see it as a big plus that a top local jockey is taking the reins rather than an imported rider without a deep knowledge of the Flemington two-miler. Right in the mix.
UniBet odds: $9.50

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4. VERRY ELLEEGANT
Trainer: Chris Waller; Jockey: James McDonald. 57kg (19)
Age/sex: 6yo mare. Record: 33: 14-7-3
Prizemoney: $9,690,744
What the World Gambling List says: Australia’s horse of the year and ran on stoutly in the Cox Plate when third recently. She ran seventh in this race last year and it would be a masterful training effort to get her back and performing better this time. But Waller is Australia’s leading trainer. Throw in the services of the best jockey in the land (if not the world) and she must be considered a big chance. The track may be a bit firm for her liking but if she is in a dogfight in the dying stages you just know she will lift.
UniBet odds: $12

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5. EXPLOSIVE JACK
Trainer: Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace; Jockey: John Allen. 54kg (4)
Age/sex: 4yo stallion. Record: 12: 5-1-2
Prizemoney: $1,814,730
What the World Gambling List says: Dominated as three-year-old with three derby wins, including the ATC Derby over 2400m at Randwick. Has not been great in recent runs, failing badly when second-last in the Caulfield Cup. But his jockey, the Irishman John Allen, could win on a rocking horse lately and he could run a much improved race back on the wide open spaces of Flemington.
UniBet odds: $41

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6. THE CHOSEN ONE
Trainer: Murray Baker &
Andrew Forsman; Jockey: Damian Lane. 54kg (5)
Age/sex: 6yo stallion. Record: 38: 8-6-3
Prizemoney: $1,949,671
What the World Gambling List says: Has a great record over the long trip, including a fourth in the 2020 Melbourne Cup and second in the 2020 Sydney Cup. This Kiwi is as tough as nails but he might just lack the brilliant turn of foot in the final stages to match it with the best of this lot. We expect him to finish in the 5-10 range this time around.
UniBet odds: $51

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7. DELPHI
Trainer: Anthony & Sam Freedman; Jockey: Damien Oliver. 53.5kg (3)
Age/sex: 5yo stallion. Record: 10: 5-1-0
Prizemoney: $360,841
What the World Gambling List says: Has the right profile to really challenge in this race and if you can forgive his flop in the Caulfield Cup, we would not talk you out of backing him. A lightly-raced stallion by Galileo, in a great stable with one of the best jockeys Australia has seen. But he fell away at Caulfield, so there are question marks over how we will perform here. It would not surprise us at all if he produced his true form and ran into the placings.
UniBet odds: $34

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8. OCEAN BILLY
Trainer: Chris Waller; Jockey: Damien Thornton. 53.5kg (13)
Age/sex: 6yo gelding. Record: 32: 10-1-2
Prizemoney: $326,452
What the World Gambling List says: Won the two-mile Auckland Cup to win his place in this field and is certainly cut in the mould of the typical tough NZ stayer. Has been with the leading trainer in Australia for his past couple of runs but not shown enough to suggest he could contend here.
UniBet odds: $101

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9. SELINO
Trainer: ChrisWaller; Jockey: Ron Stewart. 53.5kg (24)
Age/sex: 6yo gelding. Record: 20: 3-5-2
Prizemoney: $1,481,470
What the World Gambling List says: Stays like a mother-in-law and won the Sydney Cup in great style at big odds earlier this year. Drawing the outside barrier does not help. You know he will be grinding home strongly but we can’t have him after his latest run of 15th beaten 11 lengths in the Caulfield Cup.
UniBet odds: $81

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10. JOHNNY GET ANGRY
Trainer: Denis Pagan; Jockey: Lachlan King (a). 53kg (22)
Age/sex: 4yo gelding. Record: 11: 1-1-2
Prizemoney: $1,268,675
What the World Gambling List says: The shock VRC Derby winner of last year but has barely been mildly irritated let along angry since. We can’t have him in this but hope he runs well for former legendary AFL coach Pagan.
UniBet odds: $81

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11. KNIGHTS ORDER
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott; Jockey: Daniel Stackhouse. 53kg (9)
Age/sex: 7yo gelding. Record: 20: 7-0-2
Prizemoney: $467,501
What the World Gambling List says: Was great mid-year in Brisbane when he led throughout to win the Brisbane Cup over this distance in a canter but has not fired since. Led and caved in quickly in Saturday’s Hotham Handicap. Might be leading the field past the winning post the first time but does not seem likely to be anywhere near that spot when they come down the straight the final time.
UniBet odds: $201

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12. PERSAN
Trainer: Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace; Jockey: Luke Currie. 53kg (11)
Age/sex: 5yo gelding. Record: 27: 7-5-3
Prizemoney: $1,404,721
What the World Gambling List says: This stayer is just so honest. We tipped him to run a race in the Cup last year and he let no one down, charging home as well as any horse in the race to finish fifth. Has had the ultimate gear chance with a gelding operation before this latest campaign has been running well. Loves this track. We can see him running a big race but it’s still hard to see him turning the tables on Incentivise.
UniBet odds: $34

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13. CARIF
Trainer: Peter & Paul Snowden; Jockey: Blaike McDougall. 52.5kg (8)
Age/sex: 6yo gelding. Record: 37: 3-8-1
Prizemoney: $730,285
What the World Gambling List says: Tough gelding which is well exposed and has only three wins from 37 starts. Has won over the distance but not in this sort of class and would be doing well to finish in the first half of the field.
UniBet odds: $201

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14. MASTER OF WINE
Trainer: Team Hawkes; Jockey: Fred Kersley. 52.5kg (6)
Age/sex: 7yo gelding. Record: 28: 5-5-4
Prizemoney: $900,309
What the World Gambling List says: Was a one-time boom stayer but has not really gone on with the job. From a powerful stable but has not won for 18 months and that is unlikely to change here. Will be a great thrill for the young rider to compete in a Melbourne Cup.
UniBet odds: $81

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15. PONDUS
Trainer: Robert Hickmott; Jockey: Rachel King. 52.5kg (1)
Age/sex: 6yo gelding. Record: 19: 3-7-1
Prizemoney: $336,109
What the World Gambling List says: Another European stayer from the assembly line of the Lloyd Williams team that was bought with the Cup in mind. Has not really had a clear run at producing his best since coming to Australia and will certainly stay but it would take a major form reversal for this galloper to contend. Rachel King is having her first ride in the Cup and she certainly has an ability to coax a special run out of horses so maybe she can unlock this galloper’s ability. We are betting against it this time though.
UniBet odds: $41

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16. GRAND PROMENADE
Trainer: Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace; Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy. 52kg (21)
Age/sex: 6yo gelding. Record: 19: 8-4-2
Prizemoney: $1,009,800
What the World Gambling List says: This race has been on the agenda for this horse since before he even had his first start, so he is certainly trained to the minute. McEvoy is having his first race ride on the horse, and he has a wonderful knack of landing on the right horse at the right time in the Melbourne Cup. He is lightly raced enough to suggest he can still go to a new high and goes into this quite fresh with 31 days since his win over 2520m at Flemington. Bad barrier but we think this bloke will run a great race and will be taking him in all our trifectas and first fours.
UniBet odds: $18

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17. MIAMI BOUND
Trainer: Danny O’Brien; Jockey: Patrick Moloney. 52kg (17)
Age/sex: 5yo mare. Record: 26: 5-0-5
Prizemoney: $1,672,200
What the World Gambling List says: Can produce a powerful finish on her day but does not always bring her best. Has not been racing well lately so we are happy to leave her out of calculations.
UniBet odds: $126

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18. PORT GUILLAUME
Trainer: Ben & JD Hayes; Jockey: Harry Coffey. 52kg (23)
Age/sex: 5yo gelding. Record: 10: 4-0-0
Prizemoney: $308,688
What the World Gambling List says: Won four of his first five starts in France but has not fired a shot since landing in Australia. Obviously has ability but the Hayes team have not been able to unlock it just yet so he’s not one for us this time around. Prefer to see him find form in a much easier race.
UniBet odds: $126

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19. SHE’S IDEEL
Trainer: Bjorn Baker; Jockey: Craig Newitt. 52kg (20)
Age/sex: 6yo mare. Record: 25: 6-6-5
Prizemoney: $1,101,075
What the World Gambling List says: Ran on OK in the Caulfield Cup last year and is a good mare but not good enough to contend this time.
UniBet odds: $101

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20. FUTURE SCORE
Trainer: Matt Cumani; Jockey: Dean Yendall. 51.5kg (15)
Age/sex: 7yo gelding. Record: 22: 6-2-4
Prizemoney: $565,381
What the World Gambling List says: Good, honest stayer but looks a couple of levels short of what is required to win this race. More of a group 3 kind of horse at this stage, though the Cumani family have an interesting history in this race over the past 20 years or so.
UniBet odds: $201

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21. TRALEE ROSE
Trainer: Simon Wilde; Jockey: Dean Holland. 51kg (12)
Age/sex: 5yo mare. Record: 15: 6-4-2
Prizemoney: $744,725
What the World Gambling List says: A classy mare and she shapes as a realistic lightweight hope this year, escpecially with the field a little weaker than normal because of travel difficulties for the European contingent. Has been aimed at this race for a long time and she comes into this in peak form. Will run you a great race. Would arguably be the second-most popular winner if she can cross the line first, with Incentivise the firm fan favourite.
UniBet odds: $16

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22. FLOATING ARTIST
Trainer: Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace; Jockey: Teodore Nugent (a). 50kg (10)
Age/sex: 6yo gelding. Record: 16: 5-2-1
Prizemoney: $479,018
What the World Gambling List says: Talented and lightly raced galloper which looks to be just a little short of this class. Untried out to this distance but one thing in his favour is that he has a habit of bobbing up to win at good odds, with two of his five wins coming at 20-1 plus. Not the roughest with such a light weight from a good barrier. The young rider will relish being on the big stage.
UniBet odds: $16

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23. GREAT HOUSE
Trainer: Chris Waller; Jockey: Michael Dee. 50kg (7)
Age/sex: 5yo gelding. Record: 15: 5-2-3
Prizemoney: $512,990
What the World Gambling List says: We think this tough former Irish stayer will run out of his skin after charging home to win the Hotham Handicap on Saturday. He settled back last but kept coming to run down the leaders in grand style and has a hefty weight drop. Is lightly raced and worked his way through the grades to reach this point and if he can pick it up another notch, is a definite chance. We will be including him in our multi-bets.
UniBet odds: $21

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24. SIR LUCAN
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott; Jockey: Glen Boss. 50kg (18)
Age/sex: 4yo stallion. Record: 8: 2-1-0
Prizemoney: $152,926
What the World Gambling List says: Raced in some of the same interests as Cup favourite Incentivise and is the real mystery runner in this field. Lightly raced and beautifully bred but has not really shown what he can do as yet and has not started in Australia since being transferred from Aiden O’Brien to the Waterhouse-Bott camp. That stable knows a thing or two about training stayers and also causing shocks with unknown imports. Watch the betting in the lead-up to the race and if the money comes, keep this stallion in your calculations. A real smokey.
UniBet odds: $23

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Our final Melbourne Cup 2021 top four

INCENTIVISE 1, Delphi 2, Great House 3, Twilight Payment 4.

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Recent winners of the Melbourne Cup

2020 Twilight Payment. Jockey. Jye McNeil. Trainer: Joseph O’Brien. Time: 3:17.34
2019 Vow And Declare. Jockey: Craig Williams. Trainer: Danny O’Brien. Time: 3:24.76
2018 Cross Counter. Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy. Trainer: Charlie Appleby. Time: 3:21.17
2017 Rekindling. Jockey: Corey Brown. Trainer: Joseph O’Brien. Time: 3:21.29
2016 Almandin. Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy. Trainer: Robert Hickmott. Time: 3:20.58
2015 Prince of Penzance. Jockey: Michelle Payne. Trainer: Darren Weir. Time: 3:23.15
2014 Protectionist. Jockey: Ryan Moore. Trainer: Andreas Wöhler. Time: 3:17.71
2013 Fiorente. Jockey: Damien Oliver. Trainer: Gai Waterhouse. Time: 3:20.30
2012 Green Moon. Jockey: Brett Prebble. Trainer: Robert Hickmott. Time: 3:20.45
2011 Dunaden. Jockey: Christophe Lemaire. Trainer: Mikel Delzangles. Time: 3:20.84
2010 Americain. Jockey: Gérald Mossé. Trainer: Alain de Royer-Dupré. Time: 3:26.87

• The full list of Melbourne Cup winners and placegetters
  
  

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