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FEATURE RACES
Expert analysis and runner-by-runner comments for the upcoming feature race.
AUSTRALIAN RACING
Friday, 30 October 2026
Free tips and racing information across Australia.
<p>The 2017 Melbourne Cup over 3200 metres at Flemington featured the defending champion Almandin, ridden by Frankie Dettori, and Hartnell, third in 2016 and now with James Cummings. The Caulfield Cup winner Boom Time and the Geelong Cup winner Tiberian brought local form into the race.</p><p>Ireland had a strong hand. Joseph O'Brien ran the three-year-old Rekindling, second in the Irish St Leger, while his father Aidan sent Johannes Vermeer and Willie Mullins brought Max Dynamite, runner-up in 2015, along with Wicklow Brave and Thomas Hobson.</p>
Rekindling won the 2017 Melbourne Cup by a neck from Johannes Vermeer, with Max Dynamite third.
J: Corey Brown
T: Joseph O'Brien
| Runner | Comment |
|---|---|
| 1. Hartnell(12) | Third in the 2016 Melbourne Cup and proven over the distance. Now trained by James Cummings and ridden by Damian Lane. |
| 2. Almandin(14) | The 2016 Melbourne Cup winner. Has had three runs since, including a Listed win at Flemington in September. Frankie Dettori rides. |
| 3. Humidor(13) | Runner-up to Winx in the 2016 Cox Plate. Trained by Darren Weir and ridden by Blake Shinn. |
| 4. Tiberian(22) | French stayer who won the Geelong Cup this spring. Olivier Peslier rides. |
| 5. Marmelo(16) | British stayer for Hughie Morrison who ran on for sixth over 2400 metres in his lead-up. Hugh Bowman rides. |
German-based stayer who won the Belmont Gold Cup in New York this year. Kerrin McEvoy rides. |
| 7. Johannes Vermeer(3) | Aidan O'Brien's runner, with strong European form, who has gone to a new level since arriving in Australia. Ben Melham rides. |
| 8. Bondi Beach(1) | Trained by Robert Hickmott and ridden by Michael Walker. |
| 9. Max Dynamite(2) | Second in the 2015 Melbourne Cup for Willie Mullins. Won at Killarney in his lead-up. Zac Purton rides. |
| 10. Ventura Storm(6) | Trained by David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig and ridden by Glen Boss. |
| 11. Who Shot Thebarman(20) | Withdrawn from the race. |
| 12. Wicklow Brave(8) | Willie Mullins stayer who won the 2016 Irish St Leger. |
| 13. Big Duke(5) | Trained by Darren Weir and ridden by Brenton Avdulla. |
| 14. Us Army Ranger(21) | Second to Harzand in the 2016 Epsom Derby and third at Royal Ascot over about 4200 metres. Jamie Spencer rides for Joseph O'Brien. |
| 15. Boom Time(9) | Won the 2017 Caulfield Cup for David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig. Cory Parish rides. |
| 16. Gallante(18) | Trained by Robert Hickmott and ridden by Mick Dee. |
| 17. Libran(7) | Trained by Chris Waller and ridden by Dwayne Dunn. |
| 18. Nakeeta(19) | Trained by Iain Jardine in Scotland and ridden by Glyn Schofield. |
| 19. Single Gaze(11) | Trained by Nick Olive and ridden by Kathy O'Hara. |
| 20. Wall Of Fire(15) | Trained by Hugo Palmer and ridden by Craig Williams. |
| 21. Thomas Hobson(20) | Won at Ascot over about 4000 metres in June and was second at Royal Ascot and Doncaster. Trained by Willie Mullins. |
| 22. Rekindling(4) | Joseph O'Brien's three-year-old, fourth in the St Leger and second to Order Of St George in the Irish St Leger. Corey Brown rides. |
| 23. Amelie's Star(10) | Trained by Darren Weir and ridden by Dean Yendall. |
| 24. Cismontane(17) | Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and ridden by Beau Mertens. |
