Melbourne Cup 2023: Everything you need to know for the race that stops the nation

Ash Cant
Nov 06, 2023, updated Nov 06, 2023

None of the Melbourne Cup favourites are Australian-bred horses. Photo: Getty

The Melbourne Cup will “stop the nation” on Tuesday afternoon as 24 horses dash for the finish line in Australia’s biggest race.

The trainer of reigning champion Gold Trip says the seven-year-old bay stallion is in better condition than last year, but he isn’t the favourite.

And it’s not all about the 3200m race, with celebrities and partying to be enjoyed throughout the day.

When is the Melbourne Cup and at what time does it start?

The Melbourne Cup always falls on the first Tuesday of November, so this year, it’s on November 7.

In Victoria, New South Wales, ACT and Tasmania the race will kick off at 3pm AEDT.

Elsewhere around Australia, the race will start at 2pm in Queensland, 2.30pm in South Australia, 1.30pm in the Northern Territory and noon in Western Australia.

Gold Trip, ridden by Mark Zahra, wins the 2022 Lexus Melbourne Cup. Photo: Getty

How to watch the Melbourne Cup

People can watch the action live on 10 or 10 Play.

The network’s coverage of the Cup will kick off at 10am AEDT on both 10 and 10 Play and will wrap up at 5.30pm AEDT.

The race will also be broadcast live on Racing.com and on Sky Racing, which will broadcast the race on a slight delay.

In addition to the race being streamed on 10 Play, it can also be streamed on Kayo Sports, for which you need a subscription.

If you just want to tune in via radio, ABC local radio, Triple M, Nine Radio, SEN Radio and the Racing and Sports Network will have coverage.

What will the weather be doing?

In 2022, racegoers at Flemington copped four seasons in one day.

On Tuesday, the Bureau of Meteorology is expecting a top of 29 degrees Celsius, but also some potential rain.

There will be a high chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening, with a chance of a thunderstorm.

“At this stage, it looks like they [showers] shouldn’t hit the racecourse until after the big race. But you’ll need to keep an eye on the sky during the early afternoon and it wouldn’t hurt to have a brolly just in case,” Weatherzone meteorologist James Rout said.

Who is the favourite to win the Melbourne Cup?

The favourite to win is Vauban, who will be ridden by ridden by Ryan Moore and was trained by Willie Mullins.

Vauban hails from Ireland and has not ridden in Australia.

Gold Trip has drawn barrier two, which is the next stall inside Mullins’ Irish raider.

Gold Trip’s trainer Ciaron Maher said the horse, who carried 57.5kg to give the stable its first Melbourne Cup in 2022, is better placed this year than last to win the race.

“He is (going better). He needs to be, though. I think the race is stronger,” Maher said.

“The track’s probably going to be a little bit firmer and he’s got a little bit more weight. So he needs to be better to win, but I think he is.”

Caulfield Cup winner Without A Fight (barrier 16), Chris Waller’s Soulcombe (four) and Japanese raider Breakup (18) are also among the leading contenders.

Of all the horses, there are just two that are Australian-bred, Right You Are and Vow and Declare, but neither are tipped to win it.

All the horses racing in the Melbourne Cup are: