Futures prices move. The prices below were taken on Sat, 10 Oct 2026 and may have changed, so check the current price with your bookmaker before you bet.
The 2026 Melbourne Cup is run on Tuesday 3 November at 3pm at Flemington, a 3200m handicap worth $10 million. There are 101 nominations, including 23 internationals, and only 24 will make the final field. That is the catch with a futures bet: you need your horse to get in and win.
Early market
These are the prices on the board on Saturday 10 October.
| Horse | Price |
|---|---|
| Defiantly | $9.00 |
| Trustyourinstinct | $10.00 |
| Half Yours | $11.00 |
| Aeliana | $13.00 |
| James J Braddock | $13.00 |
| Shockletz | $13.00 |
| Mr Monaco | $15.00 |
| Stinger Glass | $15.00 |
| Zahrann | $15.00 |
| Zakouma | $15.00 |
| Highwayman | $15.00 |
| Wine Dark Sea | $18.00 |
| Middle Earth | $18.00 |
| Point Of Law | $19.00 |
Half Yours is the defending champion, so he is a name every punter knows. He won last year’s Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double and is now trying to win a second Caulfield Cup, this time with a new rider.
Who already has a spot
Futures punters should start with the horses that have already earned a ballot exemption. They have already earned a place in the field, which takes the biggest risk out of the bet.
- Defiantly ($9.00) won the Prix Kergorlay and is the current favourite.
- Zakouma ($15.00) won the Andrew Ramsden Stakes over 2800m in May.
- Shockletz ($13.00) won the Lexus Archer Stakes.
- Mr Monaco ($15.00) won the Bart Cummings.
- Whisky On The Hill won the Roy Higgins Quality.
- Daiquiri Bay won the Ebor Handicap in England, and Tawny Port won the Belmont Gold Cup in New York.
Our best bet
Zakouma at $15.00. Zakouma has ballot-free entry from his Andrew Ramsden win, so the biggest risk with a $15 ticket is largely gone. The Ramsden is a 2800m staying race, which is a good guide to the Cup distance, and trainer Grahame Begg is bringing him through the Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield as his lead-up. At $15 he is a bigger price than horses with a similar profile at $9 and $13.
The safer option: Defiantly at $9.00. The market leader also has his entry secured after the Prix Kergorlay. The price is fair, but there is less upside than at $15.
Dates to watch
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 13 October | Second acceptances |
| Monday 26 October | Third acceptances |
| Saturday 31 October | Final field and barrier draw (5:30pm) |
| Tuesday 3 November | Melbourne Cup, 3pm |
How we’d play it
- Early bet: a small stake on Zakouma, who is already in the race.
- Wait for the final field: if you want a horse that is not yet certain to start, the price is usually shorter once it is in. You trade a shorter price for certainty of a run.
- Watch the lead-up races: the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Moonee Valley Gold Cup will all move this market, so check back here as we update the prices.