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2024 Melbourne Cup free betting preview, racing tips & first four

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Melbourne Cup betting

2024 Melbourne CupGroup 1 Race Info
Best odds Vauban +550 at Marantelli Bet | Buckaroo +600 at Marantelli Bet
When Tuesday, November 5 | 3:00am AEDT
Where Flemington Racecourse, 448 Epsom Rd, Flemington VIC 3031
Watch live Racing.com, Channel 9, TAB

2024 Melbourne Cup betting preview

The 2024 Melbourne Cup, known as “the race that stops the nation,” is here, set to captivate fans with the most famous 3200m race.

A field of 23 competitors will contend for the staggering $8,560,000 prize pool in Australia’s premier horse racing event, after Athabascan was scratched due to heart issues.

Top online bookmakers have named Vauban as the favourite at $6.50 while Buckaroo follows due to the barrier draw at $7.

Geelong Cup winner Onesmoothoperator ($8.00) also joins the front of the market at single-digit odds.

Beyond these top three, promising runners like Absurde ($10), Zardozi ($12), Sea King ($13) and Land Legend ($13) offer value, while all other contenders are at odds of $20.00 or more.

The 2024 Melbourne Cup is scheduled to begin at 3pm AEDT on Tuesday, November 5.

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Melbourne Cup best bet: Zardozi

Zardozi ridden by James McDonald wins the Kennedy Oaks at Flemington Racecourse on November 09, 2023 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)

Zardozi stands out as the top pick for the 2024 Melbourne Cup. The mare from the Cummings stable has shown exceptional resilience, nearly claiming the Metropolitan and overcoming challenges in her recent fourth-place finish in the Caulfield Cup.

Her resilience was tested after she encountered a heavy bump, which disrupted her momentum. However, Cummings has prepared Zardozi to peak for this race, employing his grandfather Bart’s strategic approach with a tight, three-day backup following an impressive run in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes.

From her favourable midfield barrier position and with the experienced Andrea Atzeni aboard, Zardozi is poised to bring her best, making her the one to watch and beat.

Zardozi Win

+1100
@
Neds

Next Best: Buckaroo

Buckaroo (GB) on the way to the barriers prior to the running of the TAB Turnbull Stakes at Flemington Racecourse on October 05, 2024 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos)

Buckaroo is a noteworthy entry given his impressive form among the Australian contenders. However, despite his strong showing over 2400m in the Caulfield Cup, questions loom over his ability to extend to the gruelling 3200m Melbourne Cup distance.

The unfortunate draw of barrier 21 places extra pressure on jockey Joao Moreira to secure an ideal position without exhausting Buckaroo too early in the run. Given these obstacles, Buckaroo appears more vulnerable than other favourites however if the six-year-old gelding can overcome all of this will be a fighting chance at the post.

Buckaroo win

+600
@
PlayUp

Best Each Way: Sharp ‘N’ Smart

Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) on the way to the barriers prior to the running of the Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup at Moonee Valley Racecourse on October 25, 2024 in Moonee Ponds, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)