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Sports Cup 2023: Preview of the Race That Stops the Nation

Nikk JonesBy

Lovingly described as ‘the race that stops the nation’, the Melbourne Cup understandably has a special place in the hearts of Australian sports fans.

Traditionally staged on the first Tuesday in November, the race is the headline event of a four-day festival of equine action at Flemington Racecourse.

Read on as we look at everything you need to know about the Melbourne Cup before assessing which horse may emerge victorious this year.

When is the 2023 Melbourne Cup?

The 2023 Melbourne Cup will be staged at Flemington on Tuesday, November 7. The winning connections scoop a whopping $4.4 million payout.

There are ten races on the card, while racegoers can also enjoy live entertainment, top class food, fashion shows and more during the day.

Last 10 Melbourne Cup Winners

The last 10 Melbourne Cup winners are as follows:

  • 2022 – Gold Trip.
  • 2021 – Verry Elleegant.
  • 2020 – Twilight Payment.
  • 2019 – Vow and Declare.
  • 2018 – Cross Counter.
  • 2017 – Rekindling.
  • 2016 – Almandin.
  • 2015 – Prince of Penzance.
  • 2014 – Protectionis.
  • 2013 – Fiorente.

Melbourne Cup 2023 Field

Hundreds of horses are nominated by their connections for the Melbourne Cup each year, but only 24 make it into the final line up.

Horses who have won selected Group or handicap races worldwide over the distance of 2,400 metres or further make up the field.

Melbourne Cup Betting

A record turnover of $871 million was achieved from domestic and international betting jurisdictions during the 2022 Melbourne Carnival.

Turnover on the Melbourne Cup was a whopping $226m, highlighting the popularity of the race with punters worldwide.

All of the leading online betting sites already have ante-post odds available on the 2023 Melbourne Cup, giving punters the chance to grab some early value.

According to BettingTop10 Australia, a comparison platform for betting sites, PlayUp will be one of the most popular sportsbooks for punters this year.

The PlayUp review highlights the solid nature of their horse racing odds, which sets them apart from many other competing bookmakers. Their latest odds for the 2023 Melbourne Cup are as follows:

  • Vauban – 8.00
  • Soulcombe – 8.50
  • Francesco Guardi – 11.00
  • Goldman – 11.00
  • Desert Hero – 12.00
  • Lunar Flare – 15.00
  • Breakup – 15.00
  • Tower Of London – 16.00
  • West Wind Blows – 16.00
  • Without A Fight – 18.00
  • Absurde – 19.00
  • Just Fine – 26.00
  • Valiant King – 26.00
  • Harbour Wind – 26.00
  • Gold Trip – 31.00
  • Cleveland – 31.00
  • Sharp ‘n’ Smart – 31.00
  • Kovalica – 34.00
  • Emissary – 41.00
  • Manzoice – 41.00
  • Duke De Sessa – 41.00
  • Major Beel – 41.00
  • Aberfeldie Boy – 51.00
  • Arapaho – 51.00
  • Duais – 51.00
  • Hoo Ya Mal – 51.00
  • Interpretation – 51.00
  • Smokin Romans – 51.00
  • Vow And Declare – 51.00
  • Floating Artist – 51.00
  • Spanish Mission – 51.00
  • Lionel – 51.00
  • Protagonist – 51.00
  • Shaiyhar – 51.00
  • Mr Waterville – 51.00
  • Okita Soushi – 51.00
  • Alexandroupolis – 51.00
  • Ashrun – 51.00
  • Denmark – 51.00
  • Greenland – 51.00
  • Mr Buster – 51.00
  • Navajo Peak – 51.00
  • Bar – 61.00

Melbourne Cup 2023 Preview

Two impressive wins for the Willie Mullins-trained Vauban at Royal Ascot and Naas had Melbourne Cup bookmakers running for cover.

This supremely talented hurdler has looked a class act since switching to the flat and odds of 8.00 reflect how highly he is rated by punters.

Chris Waller’s Soulcombe is next in the betting at 8.50 after winning the Group 3 Queen’s Cup and finishing second in the Listed Lexus Roy Higgins earlier this year.

The horse recently claimed the Listed Heatherlie Stakes and has been well-backed to continue his excellent form in the Melbourne Cup.

Francesco Guardi and Goldman are among the other horses prominent in the betting along with Lunar Flare, Breakup and Tower Of London.

However, the most intriguing contender could be Desert Hero, who won the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot this summer.

He followed up by claiming the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood and is on track to contest the St Leger at Doncaster in mid-September.

Trained for the Royal Family by William Haggas, the three-year-old is being lined up for a tilt at the Melbourne Cup if he runs well in the Group 1 event.

Odds of 12.00 will disappear if Desert Hero shines in the St Leger and he could be a lively contender when the Melbourne Cup comes around.