This article contains third-party links.
The 2023 Melbourne Cup is shaping up to be a truly memorable race, with several horses in with a genuine chance of winning the prestigious event.
Gold Trip emerged victorious last year and has been slashed in the betting for this year’s renewal despite being saddled with top weight.
However, the horse’s chances of going back-to-back in ‘the race that stops the nation’ could be scuppered by talented dual-purpose stayer Vauban.
The Willie Mullins-trained horse is better known as a hurdler but was backed off the boards for the Melbourne Cup after winning on the flat at Royal Ascot and Naas.
Read on as we look at the latest betting for Australia’s biggest race before assessing which horse is most likely to be first past the post on November 7.
Melbourne Cup 2023 – Latest Betting
There have been plenty of fluctuations in the Melbourne Cup betting market, with several horses coming in for support after running excellent trial races.
Given the uncertainty surrounding jockey bookings on some of the more fancied runners, there may well be further changes to the odds before the race gets underway.
Kiwi punters will undoubtedly be keeping an eye on New Zealand offers with bet365 to wager on whichever horse top jockey James McDonald is booked to ride.
McDonald rode Verry Elleegant when she won the Melbourne Cup in 2021 and will likely be aboard a fancied runner in this year’s renewal.
Vauban is the bookmakers’ favourite for the race, with 2022 winner Gold Trip just behind in the betting. The latest odds are as follows:
- Vauban – 7/2
- Gold Trip – 9/2
- Without A Fight – 7/1
- Soulcombe – 8/1
- Breakup – 12/1
- Lunar Flare – 14/1
- Absurde – 16/1
- Lastotchka – 20/1
- Francesco Guardi – 25/1
- Future History – 25/1
- Valiant King – 25/1
- Vow And Declare – 25/1
- Military Mission – 33/1
- Okita Soushi – 33/1
- Ashrun – 50/1
- Carini – 50/1
- Interpretation – 50/1
- More Felons – 50/1
- Mostly Cloudy – 50/1
- Right You Are – 50/1
- Bar – 66/1
Melbourne Cup 2023 – Race Preview
Mullins has been bullish about Vauban’s chances in the Melbourne Cup, and it would be a major surprise if he fails to run a big race.
The three-time Grade One winner over hurdles was hugely impressive at Royal Ascot and followed up with a stylish victory at Naas.
With top British jockey Ryan Moore booked to ride, everything points to Vauban ending Mullins’ long wait to win the Melbourne Cup.
Mullins has a second string to his bow this year, with Ebor Handicap winner Absurde an intriguing each-way proposition at odds of 16/1.
The horse was comprehensively outpointed by Vauban at Royal Ascot, before producing a much-improved display to win at York Racecourse.
With Australian jockey Zac Purton in the plate, Absurde could give some of the more fancied runners a run for their money.
Gold Trip should be competitive after running third in the Caulfield Cup on his most recent outing, but he may struggle to reverse the form with winner Without A Fight.
Soulcombe is also expected to be a lively contender under jockey Joao Moreira, while Hollie Doyle is an eye-catching booking for Future History.
Japanese raider Breakup could improve after finishing eighth in the Caulfield Cup, with the extra distance likely to work in his favour.
However, it is difficult to look past Vauban’s chances in the race given the handicapper has been unable to take his hurdles form into account when allocating his weight.
The five-year-old looks to be a handicap snip with just 55kg to carry and is strongly fancied to secure Mullins’ first-ever victory in the Melbourne Cup.
Michael specializes in journalism, digital content production and social media management. He has a passion for numerous sports including football, horse racing and ice hockey. Michael currently works on a freelance basis, producing daily content for various outlets within the sports industry.
