Complete guide to the 2024 Melbourne Cup, jockeys, trainers, betting form

Spring has arrived, the air is warm and filled with the scent of Flemington roses. It’s the first Tuesday in November, which means it’s time to run the Melbourne Cup over the famous 3200m.

We have all the details needed to choose the winner of the big tournament.

TAB Fixed Odds correct as of 20:00 AEDT, 3 November 2024 (see tab.com.au for the latter).

---

1. VAUBAN (France) – TAB Odds:

6 dollars Form: 11x0x24312
Career Winning%: 40 Place%: 75

First transition to a new trainer after a seven week period. Get out of a good barrier quickly to avoid any early problems. The latter won two starts back in York. Maybe one of the contenders.

---

2. BUCKAROO (UK) – TAB odds:

$6.50 Form: 5356×81122
Career Winning%: 23 Place%: 55

Finished strongly and took second place in the Caulfield Cup on a soft track. He has two wins from five starts in this preparation and will be one of the chances with the wizard João Moreira on board.

---

3. CIRCLE OF FIRE (UK) – TAB Odds:

US$41 Form: 3x4411x890
Career Winning%: 23 Place%: 54

Jumps from an awkward barrier, having overcome this preparation for now. He finished 10th at his last Caulfield Cup start but will appreciate the extra distance here. I won’t carry my money around with me, so that’s one advantage.

---

4. WARP SPEED (JPN) – TAB coefficients:

US$26 Form: x414x325x0
Career Winning%: 17 Place%: 48

Was well beaten in his last Caulfield Cup start after a six month period. Will be better for this run, prefers dry ground and has good traction for it. To win, you need to change the situation.

---

5. KOWALIZA (New Zealand) – TAB odds:

21 dollars Form: 95365×3426
Career Winning%: 25 Place%: 50

Came back slightly to finish sixth in his last start at the Cox plate. Has proven his ability over long distances, so a step forward will do. The fact that your exotic will be considered for the finishing position will not be surprising.

---

6. SHARP ‘N’ SMART (New Zealand) – TAB odds:

US$61 Form: x3669x0203
Career Winning%: 27 Place%: 59

Showed significant improvement and finished third in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup on his last start over 2500m. He will need to improve again if he wants to have any chance here.

---

7. JUST FINE (IRE) – TAB Odds:

US$51 Form: 0x85x05010
Career Winning%: 28 Place%: 40

Was ahead at the start of the last start of the Moonee Valley Gold Cup over 2500m but was beaten badly and finished last. Here he can again become one of the leaders, but is unlikely to collect any trophies.

---

8 LAND LEGEND (FR) – TAB Odds:

US$17 Form: 755x1x0613
Career Winning%: 23 Place%: 46

Ran well and finished third in his last Caulfield Cup start after winning at Randwick over about 2400m. We will appreciate Flemington’s wide open spaces and extra distance and a win here would not be surprising.

---

9. ABSURDE (FR) – TAB Odds:

9 dollars Form: 1x7F41x41x
Career Winning%: 29 Place%: 67

Run to a new trainer for the first time after a long period. He performed well at last year’s Melbourne Cup and did similar preparations this time.

---

10. ATHABASCAN (FR) – TAB Odds: US$51 Form: x6442x8001
Career Winning%: 14 Place%: 41

Last start won the St Leger at Randwick over 2600 metres. Certainly not one of the worst players in the starting lineup and jumping out of a good gate.

---

11. NIGHT SELECTION – TAB Odds: US$151 Form: 24234×9005
Career Winning%: 23 Place%: 45

In Bendigo’s last Cup start he finished fifth, five lengths behind Sea King. He had already been to the finish line of the Caulfield Cup before. One for the Newcastle fans, let’s hope it ends near the top of the table.

---

12. OKITA SUSHI (IRE) – TAB Odds:

US$14 Form: 13x00x8021
Career Winning%: 28 Place%: 61

Won Moonee Valley Gold Cup 2500m last start. Must race at speed and this is one of the main chances. Jockey Jamie Ka returns to his best form.

---

13. ONESMOOTHOPERATOR (USA) – TAB Odds:

8 dollars Form: 42882×1741
Career Winning%: 13 Place%: 55

Won the last start of the Geelong Cup, which has always proven to be a strong showing for this race. With one of the best jockeys in the world, Craig Williams, on board, I’ll get some of my hard earned money out of this. For fans of Sade.

---

14. ZARDOZI – TAB Odds:

15 US dollars Form: 132×665245
Career Winning%: 32 Place%: 53

Short backup within three days of finishing fifth in the Empire Rose over 1600m on Derby Day. Previously he had fought well for fourth place in the Caulfield Cup. Previously won twice at Flemington and is flying the Godolphin flag this year.

---

15. SE KING (Great Britain) – TAB odds:

$9.50 Form: 4x110136x1
Career Winning%: 35 Place%: 50

On his last start, his first after the break, he won the Bendigo Cup over 2400 metres. In shape and could pose a real threat if it can cover the 3200 meter distance. One lover of marine helicopters.

---

16. VALIANT KING (UK) – TAB odds:

US$126 Form: 212256×009
Career Winning%: 9 Place%: 45

He has struggled with this preparation so far, finishing ninth in his last Caulfield Cup start. He has a nasty barrier in the Cup and is unlikely to trouble the stronger horses. One for all the old Chrysler fans.

---

17. FANCY MAN (IRE) – TAB coefficients:

US$126 Form: x58610x536
Career Winning%: 19 Place%: 52

Finished 10 lengths behind the winner of his last Caulfield Cup start on a soft track. Will not run far and has the speed to overcome a bad barrier. But I don’t imagine his chances.

---

18. INTERPRETATION (IRE) – TAB Coefficients:

21 dollars Form: 916×000862
Career Winning%: 17 Place%: 35

Finished second in his last Geelong Cup start over 2400m. He has hit the line well in his last starts and could be ready to spring a surprise.

---

19. MANZOIS – TAB Odds: US$126 Form: 88520×2307
Career Winning%: 10 Place%: 33

Mooney Valley finished four lengths slower in his last Gold Cup start. Having won twice in his 21-race career, he will have a real chance of finishing last in the office draw.

---

20. MOSTLY CLOUDY (IRE) – TAB Odds:

$81 Form: x23622x440
Career Winning%: 24 Place%: 52

Did nothing to impress on his last start at Flemington, finishing second last at 2520m. He had a 31-day period and will be wearing blinders again. One for Melbourne weather lovers.

---

21. POSITIVITY (New Zealand) – TAB odds:

US$126 Form: 81291×2178
Career Winning%: 33 Place%: 50

Dropped out to finish eighth on his last start in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup and won by three runs back from Caulfield. The wide barrier is a concern, as is his ability to run 3200m.

---

22. ST GEORGE (UK) – TAB odds:

US$23 Form: 31123×8495
Career Winning%: 20 Place%: 50

Ran strongly and completed his final midfield start in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup over 2500m. Not without hope of covering the extra distance. For Dragons fans, and hopefully not as disappointing.

---

23. MAP – TAB Odds:

US$51 Form: 12211×9056
Career Winning%: 28 Place%: 47

Loves Flemington, although he’s been struggling to get into shape lately. On his last start he finished sixth in the Geelong Cup over 2400m. Should handle the distance, but lacks the class to win. For fans of Dora the Explorer.

---

24. TRUST IN YOU (New Zealand)

– TAB odds: US$151 Form: 1626×63044
Career Winning%: 13 Place%: 33

At his last start at Randwick he finished fourth in the 2600m St Leger. In a career of 30 starts, he has won four victories, and none of them have come recently. Could take on Manzois for the last spot in the office draw.

---