Melbourne Cup best bets & offers for 2024 | Raceday odds, picks & tips

Dubbed “The Race That Stops the Nation,” the Melbourne Cup runs on November 5, and we’re here to show you the best bets and offers for the 2024 race.

Below, you can find the best Melbourne Cup betting offers from top Australian bookies. We'll also discuss how to bet on the race, the odds, and predictions and tips.

Betting on the Melbourne Cup: Best sign up offers and promotions

No inducements are allowed by law in Australia. However, once you are a member, you can find any available Melbourne Cup betting offers in the ‘Promotions’ section of the bookie's website or app.

Several betting sites offer products for horse racing. After logging in, you may find some Melbourne Cup best bets and offers there.

You should shop around for the best odds for the Melbourne Cup. Here are the current odds for the top three runners at the time of writing:

Bookie	Buckaroo	Onesmoothoperator	Vauban	Sign Up
bet365	4.80	6.00	7.00	Place a bet
Ladbrokes	5.00	6.00	7.00	Place a bet
Neds	5.00	6.00	7.00	Place a bet

Best Aussie bookies for the Melbourne Cup: My suggestions

It's important to shop around for the best Melbourne Cup odds before making any wagers. In our opinion, here are the top three bookies for the 2024 Melbourne Cup:

bet365

One of the largest platforms around has competitive Melbourne Cup odds.

• Sign-up: Use our link and code, and then fill in the registration form.
• Features: Live streaming, good app, racing-related specials.

Ladbrokes

Another giant of the betting industry, the site will put a huge focus on the Melbourne Cup.

• Sign-up: Follow our link and sign up as usual, entering our code.
• Features: Live streaming, live phone betting, same race multis.

Neds

Neds has already released competitive odds for the Melbourne Cup.

• Sign up: Use our link, create an account, and follow the on-screen instructions. Then, enter the code “MOLE” to access the platform.
• Features: Competitive odds on race day, including for the Melbourne Cup.

Melbourne Cup Preview: How to bet on the race with confidence

There are loads of Melbourne Cup predictions floating around the internet, but it’s always best to try to understand the race yourself. That means sorting through information in a way that weighs several factors.

Here are my key Melbourne Cup tips for picking your horses:

• Know the track. Flemington is tight and left-handed. You will need a horse who can handle that, ideally proven there.
• Check the distance. The Melbourne Cup is 3200 metres. Look for those proven over the trip, or at least over 2400m.
• Watch the ground. If it’s quick enough, there aren’t many problems. If it’s soft, your horse must be proven in wet conditions.
• Remember the weights. The Cup is a handicap. Look for improving horses, as they may have weight in hand—check their ratings.

These Melbourne Cup tips are important, but there’s more to consider.

Following the form

With the knowledge of race conditions under your belt, you will also need to factor in these aspects:

• Check the ratings. Each horse’s rating dictates its weight. Look for those with ratings that generally demonstrate improvement.
• Check distance preferences. Even if a horse is improving, they may not stay 3200m. Look for those who have already stayed 2400m+ or those bred to do so.
• Check ground conditions. Look for those who have proven themselves on the ground of the day or who have the pedigree to handle it.
• Check all form lines. Horses from Melbourne, Sydney, and Europe will cross paths. Find horses who have raced against others in the field and cross-reference the form.

Current Melbourne Cup odds

The Melbourne Cup odds drastically shifted this week after favourite Jan Brueghel was ruled out of the race after a failed vet check. At Ladbrokes racebook, Buckaroo is the current favourite at 5.00, followed closely by Onesmoothoperator and Vauban at 6.00 and 7.00, respectively.

Here are the complete 2024 Melbourne Cup odds:

Runner	Win	Place
Buckaroo	5.00	2.00
Onemsoothoperator	6.00	2.40
Vauban	7.00	2.60
Sea King	10.00	3.25
Absurde	11.00	3.50
Land Legend	13.00	4.00
Kovalica	17.00	5.00
Interpretation	19.00	5.50
Okita Soushi	21.00	6.00
Zardozi	21.00	6.00
Circle of Fire	26.00	7.25
Saint George	31.00	8.50
Warp Speed	31.00	8.50
Athabascan	51.00	13.50
Just Fine	51.00	13.50
The Map	51.00	13.50
Valiant King	51.00	13.50
Sharp N Smart	71.00	18.50
Fancy Man	101.00	26.00
Mahrajaan	101.00	26.00
Mostly Cloudy	101.00	26.00
Positivity	101.00	26.00
Kinesiology	151.00	38.50
Francesco Guardi	201.00	51.00

Melbourne Cup prediction: Our pick to win the race

After Jan Brueghel was scratched from the race, Buckaroo became the favourite. Buckaroo recently placed second at the Caulfield Cup and looks like a strong contender.

As for a dark horse pick, we like Land Legend at 13.00 odds to win. Land Legend is coming off two strong performances since the start of October (3rd at Caulfield and 1st at Randwick). Both racetracks were 2400m, proving the horse has the ability to run a long track.

Expert Picks	Win	Place
Buckaroo	5.00	2.00
Vauban	7.00	2.60
Land Legend	13.00	4.00

About the Melbourne Cup: Key facts and history

The Melbourne Cup is a race watched worldwide. It always runs on the first Tuesday in November and is part of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, including Champion Stakes Day.

Run over 3200 metres, or two miles, the Cup is a Group 1 race and a handicap. That makes it classy and very competitive.

Many lead-up races offered ‘golden tickets’ to the Melbourne Cup. The purse for the Melbourne Cup exceeds $8.5 million, making it one of the richest races in the world.

Be gamble aware

We always recommend that you bet responsibly. Bookmaker tools to help you include:

• Setting deposit and bet limits
• Self-exclusion
• Help centres (including live chat)
• Loss limits

Away from the betting site, you can call the National Gambling Helpline. Some of our own tips include:

• Do not bet more than you can afford to lose. Always stay disciplined.
• Factor in all possibilities – don’t just back the favourite or the outsider.
• If you aren’t a form expert, then get good Melbourne Cup tips.

FAQ | Top questions about betting on the Melbourne Cup