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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 2024 Melbourne Cup over 3200 metres at Flemington brought back Willie Mullins' Vauban, 14th a year earlier but in strong form after running second to Kyprios in Ireland. Chris Waller's Buckaroo came through the Underwood Stakes, a nose second in the Turnbull Stakes and second in the Caulfield Cup, though he had never raced over two miles.</p><p>The local staying form ran through the Sydney Cup winner Circle Of Fire, the Moonee Valley Gold Cup winner Okita Soushi, the Metropolitan winner Land Legend and the Bendigo Cup winner Sea King. Britain's Onesmoothoperator arrived after wins in the Northumberland Plate and the Geelong Cup, and Japan was represented by Warp Speed.</p>
Knight's Choice won the 2024 Melbourne Cup by a short head from Warp Speed, with Okita Soushi third.
J: Robbie Dolan
T: J G Symons & S Laxon
| Runner | Comment |
|---|---|
| 1. Vauban(10) | Willie Mullins' stayer, 14th in last year's Cup but in strong form since, including a second to Kyprios in Ireland. William Buick rides. |
| 2. Buckaroo(20) | Won the Underwood Stakes in September, was beaten a nose in the Turnbull Stakes and ran second in the Caulfield Cup. Has never won beyond 1800 metres. Joao Moreira rides for Chris Waller. |
| 3. Circle Of Fire(23) | Won the Sydney Cup over 3200 metres in April after five months off. Mark Zahra rides for Ciaron Maher. |
| 4. Warp Speed(2) | Japanese stayer, fifth in the Tenno Sho over 3200 metres in April and well beaten in the Caulfield Cup. |
| 5. Kovalica(16) | Won the 2023 Queensland Derby over 2400 metres for Chris Waller. Has not raced over 3200 metres before. Damian Lane rides. |
| 6. Sharp 'N' Smart(14) | New Zealand stayer who won a Group 1 as a three-year-old and two more in New Zealand. Second in a Victoria Derby and third in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup recently. |
| 7. Just Fine(12) | Former Sir Michael Stoute galloper who won his first three Australian starts, including a Group 1 handicap and the Bart Cummings. Below his best in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup. |
| 8. Land Legend(17) | Won the St Leger at Randwick last year and The Metropolitan this October, beating Zardozi, before a third in the Caulfield Cup. Zac Purton rides. |
| 9. Absurde(6) | Willie Mullins' second runner, seventh in last year's Cup. A Listed winner on the flat who also races over hurdles. Kerrin McEvoy rides. |
| 10. Athabascan(2) | Withdrawn from the race. |
| 11. Knight's Choice(5) | Ran in the Turnbull Stakes and Caulfield Cup, then fifth in the Bendigo Cup. Trained by John Symons and Sheila Laxon and ridden by Robbie Dolan. |
| 12. Okita Soushi(9) | 11th in last year's Cup for Joseph O'Brien, now with Ciaron Maher. Won the Moonee Valley Gold Cup in his lead-up. Jamie Kah rides. |
| 13. Onesmoothoperator(11) | British stayer for Brian Ellison who won the Northumberland Plate in June and the Geelong Cup two weeks before the Cup. Craig Williams rides. |
| 14. Zardozi(3) | Won the Group 1 Queensland Oaks over 2400 metres last year. Fourth in the Caulfield Cup this spring. Andrea Atzeni rides for James Cummings. |
| 15. Sea King(1) | Showed smart form in Britain for Sir Mark Prescott up to 2800 metres, then won the Bendigo Cup on his first start for Harry Eustace six days earlier. Hollie Doyle rides. |
| 16. Valiant King(21) | Lightly raced stayer for Chris Waller who ran Vauban to a length and a half in a Group 3 over 2400 metres in August. |
| 17. Fancy Man(18) | Showed smart staying form in Britain, more modest since coming to Australia. Trained by Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald. |
| 18. Interpretation(13) | Pulled up in the 2022 Cup and ran well from a long way back in 2023. Finished about two lengths behind Onesmoothoperator in the Geelong Cup. |
| 19. Manzoice(7) | Won the 2022 Victoria Derby, beating Sharp 'N' Smart. Trained by Chris Waller. |
| 20. Mostly Cloudy(15) | Useful British stayer in handicaps up to 3200 metres. Trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young. |
| 21. Positivity(19) | Won the Group 3 MRC Foundation Cup in September, her third Group 3 win. Winona Costin rides. |
| 22. Saint George(8) | Second in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, ahead of Circle Of Fire. Has had four starts for Ciaron Maher after a 13-month break. |
| 23. The Map(22) | Second in the Adelaide Cup over 3200 metres in March and a two-time Flemington winner, including on Cup day last year. Rachel King rides. |
| 24. Trust In You(4) | New Zealand stayer, fourth in The Metropolitan and then ran in the St Leger at Randwick. |
