{"id":33997,"date":"2026-11-01T16:22:46","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T03:22:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/?p=33997"},"modified":"2026-11-01T16:22:48","modified_gmt":"2026-11-01T03:22:48","slug":"melbourne-cup-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tab.co.nz\/punters\/2026\/11\/melbourne-cup-predictions\/","title":{"rendered":"Melbourne Cup 2026 Tips, Predictions & Best Bets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We have Melbourne Cup tips and predictions for the Group 1 3200m race at Flemington on Tuesday. It\u2019s the biggest race on the calendar, and it\u2019s going to be another great edition of the race that stops two nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melbourne Cup odds<\/strong><\/a> are out, and we have our best bets for the big race.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Best Bet<\/div>\n
#20 Point of Law @ $6.50<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Point of Law\u2019s win in the Geelong Cup is the best form guide for the Melbourne Cup. He sat on a hot tempo, which wasn\u2019t ideal, but the way he kicked at the top of the straight was impressive.<\/p>\n

We were taken by that effort, and although winning the Melbourne Cup is a different kettle of fish, he couldn\u2019t have been more impressive. He looks every part of a Melbourne Cup winner, and he gets in with a favourable weight.<\/p>\n

Barrier 9 with Ethan Brown riding is a positive. Brown is riding well this season, and that only adds to our confidence. As does the 53kg, and we love backing European colts, despite now being trained by Ciaron Maher.<\/p>\n

The $6.50 is a fair price considering his latest win, and h<\/p>\n

Flemington R7 – Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1)<\/span> <\/div>
Open<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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20. Point Of Law (9)<\/span>
53kg<\/span>141×1<\/span><\/div>
J: Ethan Brown<\/span>T: Ciaron Maher<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
9.00<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div>
3.30<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>
Second-up. First-up after three months won by 0.5 len in the G3 Geelong Cup on October 21 over 2400m defeating Small Fry carrying 55kg at $6. Previously second-up won by 1.3 len in a 3yo Mdn Sw at Newbury on May 15 over 2011m defeating Hatteen with 60.5kg at $1.60. Impossible to knock and looks the one again. Huge win at local debut in fast time, lightly raced and if he brings that form he’ll go close again.<\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 03\/11\/2026 04:27:25 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Next Best<\/div>\n
#2 Trustyourinstinct @ $7.50<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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There has been a solid betting move for Trustyourinstinct, who firmed to $7. That\u2019s on the basis of good international form, which should be one of the best form for the 2026 Melbourne Cup.<\/p>\n

The Joseph O\u2019Brien-trained gelding is a nine-time winner, so he knows how to get the job done, and it was his recent fourth that has punters feeling confident. He ran fourth behind Scandinavia, who is one of the best stayers in the world.<\/p>\n

The betting move was also because of James McDonald. He won the Derby on Saturday, and he\u2019s looking to add to his Group 1 tally on Tuesday. We expect him to ride well from barrier 18 and put his horse into the race.<\/p>\n

Flemington R7 – Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1)<\/span> <\/div>
Open<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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2. Trustyourinstinct (18)<\/span>
57kg<\/span>21214<\/span><\/div>
J: James McDonald<\/span>T: Joseph O’brien<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
10.00<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div>
3.50<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>
Comes off a 51 day let-up. Last start 4th of 7 in the G1 Irish St Leger Stakes at Curragh on September 13 over 2816m, 4.5 len behind Scandinavia carrying 61.5kg at $7.50. Before that won by 0.8 len in the G2 Curragh Cup on July 19 over 2816m defeating Happy Pharoah carrying 62kg at $7.50. Brings a lovely profile and strong international form, and the man in the saddle goes okay too.<\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 03\/11\/2026 04:27:25 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Best Roughie<\/div>\n
#10 Goodie Two Shoes @ $26.00<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Running second in the Melbourne Cup last year was Goodie Two Shoes, who could repeat that effort this year.<\/p>\n

The eight-year-old mare is another runner from the O\u2019Brien stable, who has a strong charge in this year\u2019s Melbourne Cup, and she has every chance of finishing in the money again at nice odds.<\/p>\n

She scored a win two starts back at Goodwood, and although she didn\u2019t fire last time out at Leopardstown, the race wasn\u2019t run to suit. She\u2019ll be better for the fitness, and her record over 3200m is good.<\/p>\n

The $26 odds are worth including to boost payouts for a quality European stayer.<\/p>\n

Flemington R7 – Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1)<\/span> <\/div>
Open<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
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10. Goodie Two Shoes (19)<\/span>
55kg<\/span>x8210<\/span><\/div>
J: Wayne Lordan<\/span>T: Joseph O’brien<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
26.00<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div>
7.00<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>
Returns from a 52-day let-up. Most recently ran last of 10 in the G3 Kilternan Stakes at Leopardstown on September 12 over 2414m, 9 len behind Arabian Crown with 62kg at $34. The run before that ran on strongly from last on the turn and won by a nose in the G2 Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood on August 1 over 2816m defeating Santorini Star carrying 61kg at $9. Ran very well in this last year, more weight now, place probably best again.<\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 03\/11\/2026 04:27:25 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
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Same Race Multi<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n
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Punters get value odds with our Melbourne Cup SRM<\/strong>, which includes our three selected runners.<\/p>\n

We have Point of Law Top 2, Trustyourinstinct Top 4, and Goodie Two Shoes Top 6, which pays $41.00 for our three-runner SRM.<\/p>\n

Punters get big odds for a Melbourne Cup same race multi, and we\u2019re loving the $41 odds. All three runners have a good chance to finish in the money, and the odds are generous.<\/p>\n

Flemington R7 – Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1)<\/span> <\/div>
Open<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>
<\/colgroup>
<\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
2. Trustyourinstinct (18)<\/span>
57kg<\/span>21214<\/span><\/div>
J: James McDonald<\/span>T: Joseph O’brien<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
10.00<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div>
3.50<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>
Comes off a 51 day let-up. Last start 4th of 7 in the G1 Irish St Leger Stakes at Curragh on September 13 over 2816m, 4.5 len behind Scandinavia carrying 61.5kg at $7.50. Before that won by 0.8 len in the G2 Curragh Cup on July 19 over 2816m defeating Happy Pharoah carrying 62kg at $7.50. Brings a lovely profile and strong international form, and the man in the saddle goes okay too.<\/td> <\/tr>
<\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
10. Goodie Two Shoes (19)<\/span>
55kg<\/span>x8210<\/span><\/div>
J: Wayne Lordan<\/span>T: Joseph O’brien<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
26.00<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div>
7.00<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>
Returns from a 52-day let-up. Most recently ran last of 10 in the G3 Kilternan Stakes at Leopardstown on September 12 over 2414m, 9 len behind Arabian Crown with 62kg at $34. The run before that ran on strongly from last on the turn and won by a nose in the G2 Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood on August 1 over 2816m defeating Santorini Star carrying 61kg at $9. Ran very well in this last year, more weight now, place probably best again.<\/td> <\/tr>
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20. Point Of Law (9)<\/span>
53kg<\/span>141×1<\/span><\/div>
J: Ethan Brown<\/span>T: Ciaron Maher<\/span><\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td>
9.00<\/span>WIN<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div>
3.30<\/span>PLACE<\/span><\/div> <\/a> <\/div> <\/div> <\/td> <\/tr>
Second-up. First-up after three months won by 0.5 len in the G3 Geelong Cup on October 21 over 2400m defeating Small Fry carrying 55kg at $6. Previously second-up won by 1.3 len in a 3yo Mdn Sw at Newbury on May 15 over 2011m defeating Hatteen with 60.5kg at $1.60. Impossible to knock and looks the one again. Huge win at local debut in fast time, lightly raced and if he brings that form he’ll go close again.<\/td> <\/tr> <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div>
Odds are subject to fluctuation. For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.tab.co.nz\/racing<\/span><\/a>. Data retrieved: 03\/11\/2026 04:27:25 PM (Pacific\/Auckland) <\/div> <\/div> <\/section>
\n Bet Now<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n <\/div> \n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Melbourne Cup 2026 Odds<\/span><\/h2>
Flemington R7 – Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1)<\/span> <\/div>
Open<\/span> Race time: <\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div>