Melbourne Cup 2023 betting preview: Tips, odds, form guide and analysis for Flemington races

The biggest raceday of the year has finally arrived, with the annual running of the Melbourne Cup headlining a huge day across the country.

The prized 3200m event at Flemington will have see some of the world's best stayers in action, with Gold Trip and Vauban at the top of the market alongside Caulfield Cup winner Without A Fight.

Elsewhere in the field, former winner Vow And Declare will again be contesting the $8 million feature, while the likes of Soulcbome and Absurde aren't far behind the leading contenders.

The Sporting News has all the tips, form and betting odds for the big race below. 

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Melbourne Cup 2023 final field, barriers and betting odds

The final field has been locked in, with the likes of Vauban and Gold Trip at the top of the betting market. 

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Melbourne Cup betting preview, tips, runner-by-runner form guide

With some of the best stayers from across the globe in action, this promises to be a bumper race at Flemington. The Sporting News has all the runner-by-runner analysis and form below ahead of the $8 million event. 

1. Gold Trip 

Last year's winner is among the best chances on Tuesday, taking out the Turnbull Stakes first-up early in his preparation, before finishing third in the Caulfield Cup. The six-year-old had a solid showing in the G1 Cox Plate, finishing fifth, but will return to a favoured distance and has James McDonald in the saddle after Mark Zahra's defection to another fancied runner. VERDICT: Winning chance. 

2. Alenquer 

Despite the potential fairytale in Damien Oliver's last Cup race, this looks too tough for the European-bred stayer and it's hard to see him factor into the finish, failing to place throughout the spring carnival. VERDICT: Outside chance. 

3. Without A Fight

The six-year-old gelding is looking to become the first runner in over two decades to complete the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double, having taken out the 2400m event a few weeks ago. Proved too strong in his previous start and with last year's winning jockey in the saddle, there's plenty to like. VERDICT: Winning chance. 

4. Breakup 

Came over from Japan recently and finished eighth in the Caulfield Cup, but will be better suited over the two-mile distance and could certainly be one to keep an eye on. VERDICT: Each-way chance. 

5. Vauban 

The favourite for a reason, having won multiple Group 1 events overseas - many of which came over the hurdles. The five-year-old Willie Mullins-trained gelding will be first-up for the Cup and the fact the stable have brought him to Australia for this hit-and-run mission is a sign of their confidence. With a 50 per cent career record and was impressive last prep on the flat ground, it will be among the ones to beat. VERDICT: Winning chance.

6. Soulcombe

Has been a steady operator throughout the spring carnival, placing in the Turnbull Stakes and running reasonably well in the Caulfield Cup. The four-year-old has a strong career record at Flemington with one win and two placings from three starts, and will give Chris Waller his best chance at a second Melbourne Cup victory this year after training the winner of this race in 2021. VERDICT: Winning chance. 

7. Absurde 

Has received plenty of support from the punters since the barrier draw on Saturday, but similar to his stablemate and the race favourite, will be first-up for this race. The five-year-old has a great career record and will have world-class jockey Zac Purton in the saddle, making him an enticing option. VERDICT: Winning chance. 

8. Right You Are

Produced a solid performance to finish fifth in the Caulfield Cup a few weeks back and has been unlucky throughout this preparation, but will need a big improvement over this trip. VERDICT: Place chance. 

9. Vow And Declare 

Won this race in 2019. but would need to defy the history books to secure a second victory as an eight-year-old. Despite shaky form in the Cup in his two runs since, the O'Brien-trained gelding comes into this race in strong form, finishing second in both starts this prep and has been saved up for one more shot. VERDICT: Each-way chance. 

11. Ashrun 

Finished second in the Geelong Cup after coming back from injury recently. Should be at peak fitness for this race but looks outclassed compared to others in this field. VERDICT: Outside chance. 

12. Daqiansweet Junior

Has won and placed from three starts over the 3200m trip prior and will come into this race with some solid runs behind it. Big odds for a reason but can't be discounted. VERDICT: Outside chance. 

13. Okita Soushi 

Drawn a wide gate. Disappointing in his debut Australian race a few weeks ago and hadn't set the world on fire prior to the move, finishing 12th in Caulfield Cup and second-last in Curragh in August. VERDICT: No chance. 

14. Sheraz 

Has placed at this distance before and at Group 1 level, but has been underwhelming throughout the spring carnival and will have to overcome a wide barrier. VERDICT: Slim chance. 

15. Lastotchka 

Plenty of interest upon her Australian debut, the four-year-old filly has won multiple Group 3 events overseas and won prior to a spell at Longchamp in convincing fashion over 3100m. The wide gate is a slight concern but there's reason to believe she can run a good race at Flemington. VERDICT: Solid chance. 

16. Magical Lagoon

The five-year-old mare hasn't done much to impress since arriving in Australia, failing to place across five starts. Tough to see a turnaround at this level. VERDICT: No chance. 

17. Military Mission 

Has been in sound form this preparation, taking out a Group 2 last start and finishing fourth in The Metropolitan, with both races taking place over the 2400m distance. The five-year-old Waterhouse and Bott gelding will be stepping up in class and trip, but has drawn nicely and could be in the mix. VERDICT: Solid chance. 

18. Serpentine 

Has been rested for a month heading into this race and was in solid form prior. The six-year-old gelding has had two starts over the two-mile range without a place, but could be a top-three hope. VERDICT: Outside chance. 

19. Virtuous Circle

Finished eighth in the Geelong Cup recently and 10th in his previous start at Group 3 level. Doesn't look like his race to win and will likely finish in the bottom-half of the field. VERDICT: No chance. 

20. More Felons 

Solid first-up run in Australia, finishing fifth in the Geelong Cup, but would need a further improvement to factor into the finish in the Cup. VERDICT: Place chance.

21. Future History

Finished third in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup and picked up the Bart Cummings prior. The low weight and stable's reputation make the five-year-old gelding a respectable hope in this race, but will need to up his game again over the two-mile distance. VERDICT: Each-way chance. 

22. Interpretation

Broke a lengthy drought to win the Bendigo Cup last week, but looks well-tested in this race and would need to find a few extra gears in order to factor into the finish. VERDICT: Slim chance. 

23. Kalapour 

Took out the Archer Stakes three days ago in narrow fashion and placed in his previous start, but is unlikely to threaten this field on a short back-up. VERDICT: Outside chance. 

24. True Marvel 

Despite having six starts for a win and three placings over this distance, the seven-year-old gelding has been disappointing in recent efforts and looks well held for this race. VERDICT: Slim chance. 

THE SPORTING NEWS TIPS: Which Melbourne Cup horses should you bet on?

1. Soulcombe ($10 win / $3.30 place)
2. Without A Fight ($8.50 win / $2.75 place
3. Vow And Declare ($26 win / $7 place)
4. Military Mission ($23 win / $6 place) 

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Melbourne Cup raceday 2023 betting preview and tips

While the main race at 3pm will dominate discussion, there are still plenty of other races at Flemington where money is there to be made. The Sporting News has all the mail ahead of the 10-race card below. 

• R1 Maribyrnong Plate: Odinson ($4.50)
• R2 Furphy Plate: Forgot You ($3.50)
• R3 TAB Trophy: Binotto ($13)
• R4 The Schweppervescence Plate: Stanislaus ($4.20) - BEST BET
• R5 The Macca's Run: Insultation ($9)
• R6 Subzero Handicap: Love Tap ($7) - VALUE BET
• R7 Melbourne Cup: Soulcombe ($10)
• R8 Howden Desirable Stakes: Facile ($5)
• R9 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes: Wollombi ($10)
• R10 Paramount+ Trophy: Tonneofgrit ($10)