Melbourne Cup order of entry 2019
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The order of entry for the Melbourne Cup is invariably the most discussed issue heading into the $6.2 million event.
Even as late as a fortnight before the race that stops a nation, over 50 horses can be on the ballot vying to make the final 24 runner field.
Simply being a quality horse is not good enough to ensure entry into the cup, as a number of key criteria need to be addressed before a runner can be eligible to run in the world’s richest staying race.
There are also four races that gain a galloper direct entry into the Melbourne Cup. Be sure to check out our articles on Melbourne Cup bonuses and free bets.
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Order Of Entry 2019
| Order | Horse | Age | Weight | Trainer |
| Melbourne Cup ballot exempt horses as of October 28, 2019 : 3 | ||||
| 1 | MER DE GLACE (JPN) | 5 | 56 | Hisashi Shimizu |
| 2 | SURPRISE BABY (NZ) | 5 | 52.5 | Paul Preusker |
| 3 | STEEL PRINCE (IRE) | 6 | 52.5 | Anthony Freedman |
| Passed 2019 Melbourne Cup ballot clause as of October 28, 2019 : 39 | ||||
| 4 | CROSS COUNTER (GB) | 5 | 57.5 | Charlie Appleby |
| 5 | MARMELO (GB) | 7 | 56.0 | Hughie Morrison |
| 6 | MIRAGE DANCER (GB) | 6 | 55.5 | T Busuttin & N Young |
| 7 | SOUTHERN FRANCE (IRE) | 5 | 55.5 | C Maher & D Eustace |
| 8 | CONSTANTINOPLE (IRE) | 4 | 52.5 | D Hayes, B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 9 | MASTER OF REALITY (IRE) | 5 | 55.5 | Joseph O’Brien |
| 10 | IL PARADISO (USA) | 4 | 52.5 | Aidan O’Brien |
| 11 | LATROBE (IRE) | 5 | 55.0 | Joseph O’Brien |
| 12 | ANGEL OF TRUTH | 4 | 53.5 | Gwenda Markwell |
| 13 | MUSTAJEER (GB) | 7 | 55.0 | Kris Lees |
| 14 | HUNTING HORN (IRE) | 5 | 55.0 | Aidan O’Brien |
| 15 | ROSTROPOVICH (IRE) | 5 | 55.0 | D Hayes, B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 16 | ISPOLINI (GB) | 5 | 55.0 | Charlie Appleby |
| 17 | MAGIC WAND (IRE) | 5 | 53.5 | Aidan O’Brien |
| 18 | TWILIGHT PAYMENT (IRE) | 7 | 55.0 | Joseph O’Brien |
| 19 | PRINCE OF ARRAN (GB) | 7 | 53.0 | Charlie Fellowes |
| 20 | FINCHE (GB) | 6 | 53.0 | Chris Waller |
| 21 | RAYMOND TUSK (IRE) | 5 | 54.0 | Richard Hannon |
| 22 | VOW AND DECLARE | 4 | 52.0 | Danny O’Brien |
| 23 | YOUNGSTAR | 5 | 52.0 | Chris Waller |
| 24 | NEUFBOSC (FR) | 5 | 53.5 | D Hayes, B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 25 | SOUND (GER) | 7 | Michael Moroney | |
| 26 | THE CHOSEN ONE (NZ) | 4 | 51.5 | M Baker & A Forsman |
| 27 | DOWNDRAFT (IRE) | 5 | 53.5 | Joseph O’Brien |
| 28 | PATRICK ERIN (NZ) | 8 | 53.0 | Chris Waller |
| 29 | TRUE SELF (IRE) | 7 | 51.5 | Willie Mullins |
| 30 | RAHEEN HOUSE (IRE) | 6 | 53.0 | William Haggas |
| 31 | SIR CHARLES ROAD | 6 | 52.5 | L O’Sullivan & A Scott |
| 32 | GALLIC CHIEFTAIN (FR) | 7 | 52.5 | Archie Alexander |
| 33 | RED GALILEO (GB) | 9 | 52.5 | Saeed bin Suroor |
| 34 | DAL HARRAILD (GB) | 7 | 52.5 | C Maher & D Eustace |
| 35 | GREY LION (IRE) | 8 | 52.5 | Matthew Smith |
| 36 | HAKY (IRE) | 6 | 52.0 | John Hammond |
| 37 | BRIMHAM ROCKS (GB) | 6 | 51.5 | Chris Waller |
| 38 | AZURO (FR) | 6 | 50.5 | C Maher & D Eustace |
| 39 | HUSH WRITER (JPN) | 5 | 50.0 | G Waterhouse & A Bott |
| 40 | VALAC (IRE) | 8 | 50.0 | D Hayes, B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 41 | SULLY (NZ) | 5 | 50.0 | T Busuttin & N Young |
| 42 | WALL OF FIRE (IRE) | 7 | 50.0 | C Maher & D Eustace |
How to qualify a horse for the Melbourne Cup
Eligibility for prospective Melbourne Cup horses is determined by performances in past races. To be in the mix for a final spot in the 2019 Melbourne Cup for example, a horse must have passed the following criteria:
- Since 1 February, 2018 inclusive, won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in an internationally recognised Group or Graded flat race run over 2300 metres or further; OR won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in the Queensland Derby, Queensland Oaks or Brisbane Cup; OR
- Since 1 February, 2018 inclusive, was placed 4th or 5th in an internationally recognised Group 1 or Grade 1 flat race run over 2300 metres or further in which horses older than 3 years old could run; OR
- Since 1 February, 2018 inclusive, won an internationally recognised Listed flat race run over 2300 metres or further; OR
- Since 1 February, 2018 inclusive, won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in the York Ebor (UK) or Champions & Chater Cup (HK); OR
- Since 1 February, 2018 inclusive, won the Northumberland Plate (UK), Cesarewitch (UK), or Queen Mother Memorial Cup (HK); OR
- Was placed 6th, 7th or 8th in the 2019 Caulfield Cup; OR
- Was placed 2nd or 3rd in the 2019 Cox Plate; OR
- Was placed 2nd or 3rd in the 2019 VRC Stakes; OR
- Won the 2019 Turnbull Stakes; OR
- Won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in the 2017 Melbourne Cup; OR
- Won the 2017 Caulfield Cup
How to gain automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup
There are four races prior to the Cup that will ensure a horse is exempt from the ballot for the Melbourne Cup final field and will have a guaranteed place in the event if connections elect to take that route.
The Bart Cummings – October 5, 2019
A group three event held on Turnbull Stakes day at Flemington, the Bart Cummings is the first opportunity for a horse to lock away a spot in the race that stops a nation.
The year 2015 was the first time the Bart Cummings was listed as a ballot-exempted race, which has increased the profile of the event ten-fold. In 2016 eventual Melbourne Cup winner Almandin gained entry into the race via the Bart Cummings.
The Bart Cummings-Melbourne Cup double attempts
| Year | Winner | Price | Melbourne Cup Finish |
| 2019 | Surprise Baby | $2.50 | TBC |
| 2018 | Avilius | $2.10 | 22nd of 23 |
| 2017 | Amelie’s Star | $4.60 | 14th of 23 |
| 2016 | Almandin | $3 | 1st of 24 |
| 2015 | Let’s Make adeal | $8 | Did not run |
| 2014 | Who Shot Thebarman | $1.85 | 3rd of 22 |
| 2013 | Araldo | $4.60 | Did not run |
The Caulfield Cup – October 19, 2019
The first of Melbourne’s big-three races of the spring, the Group One Caulfield Cup, which is typically run just shy of three weeks in advance of the Melbourne Cup, has routinely been a launching pad for an assault on the main event of Australian racing.
Doing the Caulfield/Melbourne Cup is a rarity in racing given only 11 horses in history have completed it. The last horse to complete the Caulfield/Melbourne Cup double was Ethereal in 2001.
The Cox Plate – October 26, 2019
The Group One Cox Plate, which is run every year at Moonee Valley, has become the ultimate tune-up race for horses looking to run in the Melbourne Cup.
In the history of the race just six horses have completed the Cox Plate/Melbourne Cup double, the last of which was the immortal Makybe Diva back in 2005.
Recent history suggests that the Cox Plate has become more of a stand-alone race. No horse since So You Think in 2010 has won the Cox Plate and gone on to compete in the Melbourne Cup of that year.
Melbourne Cup Betting Guides
- Melbourne Cup Odds Comparison
- Melbourne Cup Finishing Order
- Melbourne Cup Betting Guide
- Melbourne Cup Free Bets
- Melbourne Cup Betting Tips
The Lexus Stakes – November 2, 2019
Last chance saloon for those owners and trainers wanting to ensure their horse takes its place in the Melbourne Cup.
Ran on the Saturday prior to the main event at Flemington, the short turnaround is unavoidable for those horses which look unlikely to make their way into the final 24. A total of 11 horses in the history of the race have completed the Lexus Stakes/Melbourne Cup double, the last of which was Shocking in 2009.
Previous Melbourne Cup final fields & order of entry
Order Horse/Trainer Age Weight $ Since Date Details Race Melbourne Cup ballot exempt horses as of 2 November, 2018 : 2 1 BEST SOLUTION (IRE) (Saeed bin Suroor) 5 57.5 EXEMPT 20/10/2018 1st G1 2400m Caulfield Cup 2 AVILIUS (GB) (James Cummings) 5 54.5 (inc 1.5 pen) EXEMPT 06/10/2018 1st G3 2500m Bart Cummings Passed 2018 Melbourne Cup first ballot clause as of 2 November, 2018 : 41 3 ACE HIGH (David Payne) 4 55.0 $1,290,000 4/11/2017 1st G1 2500m VRC Derby 4 THECLIFFSOFMOHOR (IRE) (Aidan O’Brien) 5 56.5 $991,303 20/10/2018 3rd G1 2400m Caulfield Cup 5 MAGIC CIRCLE (IRE) (Ian Williams) 7 56.0 $68,751 24/05/2018 1st G3 3240m Henry II Stakes UK 6 WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (NZ) (Chris Waller) 10 55.5 $2,136,375 14/04/2018 1st G1 3200m Sydney Cup 7 TOSEN BASIL (JPN) (Darren Weir) 7 54.0 $850,087 10/12/2017 3rd G1 2400m Hong Kong Case HK 8 MUNTAHAA (IRE) (John Gosden) 6 55.5 $597,428 25/08/2018 1st Ebor 2800m Ebor Handicap UK 9 CHESTNUT COAT (JPN) (Yoshito Yahagi) 5 55.5 $481,356 24/03/2018 2nd G2 2500m Nikkei Sho JPN 10 SOUND CHECK (GRE) (Michael Moroney) 6 55.5 $198,960 12/08/2018 2nd G1 2400m Grosser Preis von Berlin GER 11 ROSTROPOVICH (IRE) (Aidan O’Brien) 4 51.0 $671,328 30/06/2018 2nd G1 2400m Irish Derby IRE 12 MARMELO (GB) (Hughie Morrison) 6 55.0 $459,796 14/07/2018 1st G2 2800m Prix de Maurice de Nieuil FR 13 CROSS COUNTER (GB) (Charlie Appleby) 4 51.0 $210,625 4/08/2018 1st G3 2414m Gordon Stakes UK 14 YOUNGSTAR (Chris Waller) 4 51.5 $497,361 26/05/2018 1st G1 2200m Queensland Oaks 15 YUCATAN (IRE) (Aidan O’Brien) 5 54.5 (inc 2.5kg pen) $249,724 14/10/2018 1st G2 2400m Herbert Power Stakes 16 VENGEUR MASQUE (IRE) (Michael Moroney) 7 54.0 $430,500 11/11/2017 1st G3 2600m Queen Elizabeth Stakes 17 VENTURA STORM (IRE) (Hayes, Hayes and Dabernig) 6 54.0 $367,400 27/10/2018 1st G2 2500m Moonee Valley Gold Cup 18 RED CARDINAL (IRE) (Darren Weir) 7 54.0 $364,171 14/05/2017 1st G2 3200m Oleander-Rennen GER 19 AUVRAY (FR) (Richard Freedman) 8 54.0 $245,550 23/09/2017 1st G3 2400m Colin Stephens Quality 20 RED VERDON (USA) (Ed Dunlop) 6 54.0 $225,096 23/06/2018 2nd G2 2400m Hardwicke Stakes UK 21 FINCHE (GB) (Andre Fabre) 5 54.0 $113,007 5/08/2018 1st G3 2500m Prix du Reux FR 22 RUNAWAY (Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott) 4 50.5 (inc 1.5kg pen) $394,300 24/10/2018 1st G3 2400m Geelong Cup 23 ZACADA (NZ) (Baker and Forsman) 6 53.0 $506,933 14/04/2018 2nd G1 3200m Sydney Cup 24 SIR CHARLES ROAD (O’Sullivan and Scott) 5 53.0 $487,354 7/04/2018 1st G2 2600m ATC Chairmans Hcp 25 NAKEETA (GB) (Iain Jardine) 8 53.0 $479,363 28/10/2017 5th G1 3200m Melbourne Cup 26 SOLE IMPACT (JPN) (Hirofumi Toda) 7 53.0 $391,760 17/02/2018 3rd G3 3400m Diamond Stakes JPN 27 MISS ADMIRATION (JPN) (Mick Price) 4 50.0 $182,000 22/09/2018 1st G3 2400m Colin Stephens Quality 28 A PRINCE OF ARRAN (GB) (Charlie Fellows) 6 53.0 $155,662 14/10/2018 3rd G2 2400m Herbert Power Stakes 29 LIBRAN (IRE) (Chris Waller) 8 53.0 $54,000 28/10/2017 2nd G2 2500m Moonee Valley Gold Cup 30 TRAP FOR FOOLS (Jarrod McLean) 5 53.0 $90,000 27/10/2018 2nd G2 2500m Moonee Valley Gold Cup 31 PRIZE MONEY (GB) (Saeed bin Suroor) 6 52.5 $625,389 4/03/2017 1st G2 2400m Dubai City of Gold UAE 32 GALLIC CHIEFTAIN (FR) (Darren Weir) 5 52.5 $405,125 25/10/2017 2nd G3 2400m Geelong Cup 33 LORD FANDANGO (GER) (Archie Alexander) 6 52.5 $405,125 14/10/2017 1st G2 2400m Herbert Power Stakes 34 MEGABLAST (NZ) (Darren Weir) 6 52.5 $162,986 30/06/2018 1st LR 2400m Caloundra Cup 35 DAL HARRAILD (GB) (Maher and Eustace) 6 52.5 $119,263 14/07/2018 2nd G3 2780m Silver Cup UK 36 WALL OF FIRE (IRE) (Maher and Eustace) 6 52.5 $94,131 14/10/2017 2nd G2 2400m Herbert Power Handicap 37 PATRICK ERIN (Chris Waller) 7 52 (inc 2kg pen) $435,500 29/09/2018 2nd G1 2400m Metropolitan Handicap 38 RISING RED (NZ) (Busuttin and Young) 5 51.0 $167,695 4/03/2017 2nd G1 2400m New Zealand Derby NZ 39 NORTHWEST PASSAGE (Waterhouse and Bott) 5 50.5 $154,000 24/10/2018 2nd G3 2400m Geelong Cup 40 BRIMHAM ROCKS (Chris Waller) 5 50.5 $213,000 29/09/2018 2nd G1 2400m Metropolitan Handicap 41 YOGI (NZ) (Darren Weir) 6 50.0 $123,315 6/10/2018 3rd G3 2500m Bart Cummings 42 JAAMEH (GER) (Hayes, Hayes and Dabernig) 6 50.0 $54,000 1/06/2018 2nd G2 2500m Bart Cummings 43 MIDTERM (GB) (Liam Howley) 6 50.0 $36,834 20/05/2017 2nd G3 2400m Ascot Park Stakes UK
Final fieldNo. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Odds 1 
Hartnell James Cummings Damian Lane 12 57.5kg $26 2 
Almandin Robert Hickmott Frankie Dettori 14 56.5kg $7 3 
Humidor Darren Weir Blake Shinn 13 56kg $9.50 4 
Tiberian Alain Couetil Oliver Peslier 23 55.5kg $31 5 
Marmelo Hughie Morrison Hugh Bowman 16 55kg $9 6 
Red Cardinal Andreas Wohler Kerrin McEvoy 24 55kg $15 7 
Johannes Vermeer Aiden O’Brien Ben Melham 3 54.5kg $10 8 
Bondi Beach Robert Hickmott Michael Walker 1 54kg $61 9 
Max Dynamite William Mullins Zac Purton 2 54kg $15 10 
Ventura Storm David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig Glen Boss 6 54kg $31 11 
Who Shot Thebarman Chris Waller Tommy Berry 20 54kg SCR 12 
Wicklow Brave William Mullins Stephen Baster 8 54kg $51 13 
Big Duke Darren Weir Brenton Avdulla 5 53.5kg $19 14 
US Army Ranger Joseph O’Brien Jamie Spencer 22 53.5kg $61 15 
Boom Time David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig Cory Parish 9 53kg $26 16 
Gallante Robert Hickmott Michael Dee 18 53kg $101 17 
Libran Chris Waller Dwayne Dunn 7 53kg $41 18 
Nakeeta Iain Jardine Glyn Schofield 19 53kg $31 19 
Single Gaze Nick Olive Kathy O’Hara 11 53kg $41 20 
Wall Of Fire Hugo Palmer Craig Williams 15 53kg $13 21 
Thomas Hobson William Mullins Joao Moreira 21 52kg $14 22 
Rekindling Joseph O’Brien Corey Brown 4 51.5kg $16 23 
Amelie’s Star Darren Weir Dean Yendall 10 51kg $23 24 
Cismontane Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Beau Mertens 17 50kg $41 Order of entry
Order Silks Horse/Trainer Age Weight $ Since Date Details Race Exempt from Ballot as at 30 October 2017 : 2 1 BOOM TIME (Hayes, Hayes and Dabernig) 6 53.0 (inc 1.0kg pen) Exempt 21/10/2017 1st G1 2400m Caulfield Cup 2 AMELIE’S STAR (Darren Weir) 6 51.0 Exempt 7/10/2017 1st G3 2500m Bart Cummings Passed 2017 Emirates Melbourne Cup first ballot clause as at 30 October 2017 : Total 32 3 HARTNELL (GB) (James Cummings) 7 57.5 $450,000 1/11/2016 3rd G1 3200m Emirates Melbourne Cup 4 ALMANDIN (GER) (Robert Hickmott) 8 56.5 $4,132,000 1/11/2016 1st G1 3200m Emirates Melbourne Cup 5 
JON SNOW (NZ) (Baker and Forsman) 4 54.5 $1,390,865 1/04/2017 1st G1 2400m ATC Derby 6 HUMIDOR (NZ) (Darren Weir) 5 56.0 $385,000 25/03/2017 2nd G1 2400m Tancred Stakes 7 TIBERIAN (FR) (Alain Couetil) 6 55.5 $386,846 27/08/2017 1st G2 2500m Grand Prix de Deauville FR 8 REKINDLING (GB) (Joseph O’Brien) 4 51.5 $121,027 2/07/2017 1st G2 2800m Curragh Cup IRE 9 RED CARDINAL (IRE) (Andreas Wohler) 6 55.0 $422,102 14/05/2017 1st G2 3200m Oleander-Rennen GER 10 MARMELO (FR) (Hughie Morrison) 5 55.0 $315,041 20/08/2017 1st G2 3000m Prix de Kergolay FR 11 SINGLE GAZE (Nick Olive) 5 53.0 $485,000 21/10/2017 2nd G1 2400m Caulfield Cup 12 JOHANNES VERMEER (IRE) (Aidan O’Brien) 5 54.5 $242,503 21/10/2017 3rd G1 2400m Caulfield Cup 13 WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (NZ) (Chris Waller) 9 54.0 $1,288,375 28/10/2017 1st G2 2500m Moonee Valley Cup 14 MAX DYNAMITE (FR) (Willie Mullins) 8 54.0 $914,187 26/05/2016 3rd G3 3280m Henry II Stakes UK 15 VENTURA STORM (IRE) (Hayes, Hayes and Dabernig) 5 54.0 $551,874 16/10/2016 1st G1 2400m Gran Premio del Jockey Club ITY 16 WICKLOW BRAVE (GB) (Willie Mullins) 9 54.0 $497,788 11/09/2016 1st G1 2800m Irish St Leger IRE 17 
BONDI BEACH (IRE) (Robert Hickmott) 6 54.0 $120,722 15/05/2016 1st G3 2800m Vintage Crop Stakes IRE 18 
US ARMY RANGER (IRE) (Joseph O’Brien) 5 53.5 $816,116 4/06/2016 2nd G1 2400m Epsom Derby UK 19 
BIG DUKE (IRE) (Darren Weir) 6 53.5 $757,250 1/04/2017 1st G2 2600m Chairman’s Hcp 20 
GALLANTE (IRE) (Robert Hickmott) 7 53.0 $1,354,500 9/04/2016 1st G1 3200m Sydney Cup 21 LIBRAN (IRE) (Chris Waller) 7 53.0 $702,000 28/10/2017 2nd G2 3200m Moonee Valey Cup 22 
QEWY (IRE) (Charlie Appleby) 8 53.0 $535,500 19/10/2016 1st G3 2400m Geelong Cup 23 
NAKEETA (GB) (Iain Jardine) 7 53.0 $304,363 26/08/2017 1st Ebor Hcp Ebor Handicap UK 24 WALL OF FIRE (IRE) (Hugo Palmer) 5 53.0 $94,131 14/10/2017 2nd G2 2400m Herbert Power Handicap 25 
ABBEY MARIE (Michael Kent) 5 51.5 $75,000 21/10/2017 6th Caulfield Cup Caulfield Cup 26 THOMAS HOBSON (GB) (Willie Mullins) 8 52.0 $36,885 15/09/2017 2nd G2 3600m Doncaster Cup UK 27 
HARLEM (GB) (Hayes, Hayes and Dabernig) 6 51.5 (inc 0.5kg pen) $119,314 5/06/2016 3rd G2 2400m Prix de Chantilly FR 28 
ALOFT (IRE) (Robert Hickmott) 6 51.5 $57,000 1/04/2017 2nd G2 2600m Chairman’s Hcp 29 
FOUNDRY (IRE) (Robert Hickmott) 8 51.0 (inc 1.0kg pen) $435,500 30/09/2017 1st G1 2400m Metropolitan Handicap 30 
VENGEUR MASQUE (IRE) (Michael Moroney) 6 50.0 $54,000 5/11/2016 2nd G3 2400m Queen Elizabeth Stakes 31 
LIZZIE L’AMOUR (Baker and Forsman) 5 51.5 $58,636 10/12/2016 1st G3 2400m Waikato Cup NZ 32 
COOL CHAP (Lee & Anthony Freedman) 5 50.0 $161,200 14/05/2016 3rd G1 2500m South Australian Derby 33 CISMONTANE (NZ) (Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott) 5 50.0 $27,000 28/10/2017 3rd G2 2500m Moonee Valley Cup 35 
KELLSTORM (IRE) (Darren Weir) 5 50.0 $27,000 7/10/2017 3rd G3 2500m Bart Cummings Not Passed 2017 Emirates Melbourne Cup first ballot clause as at 30 October 2017 : Total 2 
ALWARD (IRE) (Chris Waller) 5 50.0 Not passed ballot 
GUARDINI (FR) (Darren Weir) 7 53.0 Not passed ballot TOTAL : 36