The Melbourne Cup, ‘The race that stops the nation’ as it is known. A field of 24 will go to post at 3pm local time on Tuesday, November 5th for one of the biggest races on the sporting calendar. 

This is a truly international event, and not one that’s exclusive to Australian betting sites. The Melbourne Cup has become a big deal at UK betting sites, as well as horse racing betting sites around the world. This is thanks, in part, to the race attracting horses from the UK, Ireland, Japan and New Zealand, as well as the best the home nation has to offer. 

Here at Bookies.com, we’ve got everything you need for the Melbourne Cup, from free bets and betting offers, to the field and our Melbourne Cup betting tips. 

Melbourne Cup Betting Offers

Whether you’re looking for the best NZ betting sites or the equivalent in Canada, Australia or further afield, we have you covered here at Bookies.com. We provide the best, licensed sports betting sites, which each have top-class offerings when it comes to their betting features, as well as their betting offers, if they’re available in your region. 

Melbourne Cup betting offers will include free bets for bettors in many nations around the world, where they are available. To opt in, simply click on any of the links listed here at Bookies.com, and follow the steps listed, if there’s an offer available where you are. 

Many top betting sites will be offering extra each-way places on the Melbourne Cup. Four is the standard number given that the race is a handicap, but there are five, six and even up to seven places available at some of the best horse racing betting sites.

Melbourne Cup Field 2024

There are still more than the final 24 in the field, as we are over a week away and don't have the definitive two dozen. The current remaining entries are headed by favourite Via Sistina, who's participation in the race is yet to be decided. He will have to concede weight all round if he’s going to win the Melbourne Cup.

Legendary jumps trainer Willie Mullins has two remaining in the race, including duel purpose horse Absurde, who is primed for a big run.

The list below represents what the field would be for the 2024 Melbourne Cup if the top 24 horses at the current weights took up an entry for the race. The final field will be announced on Saturday the 2nd of November.

Melbourne Cup Tips

Irish national hunt trainer Willie Mullins again has a strong hand in the Melbourne Cup. This year he saddles Vauban and Absurde, who are both towards the top of the market with most Irish betting sites. A 160-rated hurdler, Vauban has been impressive on the flat this year, winning a Group 2 at York before running Kyprios reasonably close in a Group 1 at the Curragh. He is sure to be a popular choice, ticks every box and again has a solid chance in the race. 

For those looking for an each-way bet to try to take advantage of some of the extra places available, you could do a lot worse than Interpretation. Ciaron Maher’s six-year-old was a respectable sixth in last year’s running of the race, despite being more towards the rear of the field than he would have liked. 

With a more forward-thinking ride in the early stages, he should be able to take a step forward on last year’s performance, and should be in the mix late on. There is as big as 33/1, out there, which could look like massive value if you can grab some extra places. 

Check out our daily horse racing betting tips for more, where you’ll find the best bets from today’s UK and Irish horse racing.