2019 Melbourne Cup
Introduction
The 2019 Melbourne Cup was the 159th running of the ‘Race that Stops the Nation,’ and was hosted ont he 5th of November 2019.
There was a gun field chock-a-block full of Internationals – keen to continue their dominance in the Aussie’s biggest racing event of the season.
But, it was Vow and Declare from down under – who took out a thrilling 2019 Melbourne Cup Victory.
The Danny O’Brien-trained galloper was headed in the straight – but fought back, and took home a tantalising victory, by a head.
Master of Reality was second to cross the white line, but it was relegated to fourth, after a protest by stewards on behalf of fourth-placed Il Paradiso.
Prince of Arran was then relegated to second, and Il Paradiso to third.
Now, for the 2019 Melbourne Cup information.
There are 24 runners in the Melbourne Cup, who were narrowed down from the initial field of 300 to 400 nominated horses. These nominations are put forward in the first week of August.
A Committee ultimately decide the final 24.
After nomination, owners must confirm their intention to run four more times leading up to the Melbourne Cup. Owners are then forced to decide whether to continue with the race lead up, by paying the fees needed, or backing out.
Barriers are then drawn at the conclusion of racing on Derby Day.
The final runners are decided mostly on factors such as prize money over the past two years, wins and placing, and of course, allocated handicap.
Horses that have won other previous prestigious races around the world are actually exempted from the balloting process. These include:
the Victoria Derby, Lexus Stakes, Cox Plate, LKS Mackinnon Stakes, Caulfield Cup, Irish St. Leger (IRE), and the Tenno Sho (Spring) (JPN). There are some Australian races that allow for an automatic pass through the balloting process like the Bart Cummings, and the Andrew Ramsden Stakes.
2019 Melbourne Cup Details:
Date: November 3rd 2020
Track: Flemington Racecourse
Winning Horse: Vow and Declare, $11
Winning Trainer: Danny O’Brien
Winning Jockey: Craig Williams
Winning Owner: G Corrigan
It’s the AUSSIE!!! Vow And Declare has won the #MelbourneCup.
What a moment, what a race… pic.twitter.com/DvAoinx0cp
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 5, 2019
Melbourne Cup Field 2019
1. CROSS COUNTER (GB) — 57.5kg
Jockey: James Doyle, Trainer: Charlie Appleby, Barrier: 5, Odds: $13 (Win), $4 (Place)
2. MER DE GLACE (JPN) — 56kg
Jockey: Damian Lane, Trainer: Hisashi Shimizu, Barrier: 2, Odds: $6.50 (W), $2.30 (P)
3. MASTER OF REALITY (IRE) — 55.5kg
Jockey: Frankie Dettori, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien, Barrier: 1, Odds: $21 (W), $6 (P)
4. MIRAGE DANCER (GB) — 55.5kg
Jockey: Ben Melham, Trainers: Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, Barrier: 13, Odds: $31 (W), $8.50 (P)
5. SOUTHERN FRANCE (IRE) — 55.5kg
Jockey: Mark Zahra, Trainers: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Barrier: 14, Odds: $26 (W), $7 (P)
6. HUNTING HORN (IRE) — 55kg
Jockey (TBC), Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Barrier: 11, Odds: $34 (W), $9 (P)
7. LATROBE (IRE) — 55kg
Jockey: James McDonald, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien, Barrier: 22, Odds: $26 (W), $7 (P)
8. MUSTAJEER (GB) — 55kg
Jockey: Damien Oliver, Trainer: Kris Lees, Barrier: 6, Odds: $17 (W), $5 (P)
9. ROSTROPOVICH (IRE) — 55kg
Jockey: Dwayne Dunn, Trainers: David Hayes, Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Barrier: 12, Odds: $61 (W), $15 (P)
10. TWILIGHT PAYMENT (IRE) — 55kg
Jockey: Patrick Cosgrave, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien, Barrier: 19, Odds: $71 (W), $17 (P)
11. FINCHE (GB) — 54kg
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy, Trainer: Chris Waller, Barrier: 4, Odds: $10 (W), $3.20 (P)
12. PRINCE OF ARRAN (GB) — 54kg (1kg penalty)
Jockey: Michael Walker, Trainer: Charlie Fellowes, Barrier: 8, Odds: $17 (W), $5 (P)
13. RAYMOND TUSK (IRE) — 54kg
Jockey: Jamie Spencer, Trainer: Richard Hannon, Barrier: 3, Odds: $17 (W), $5 (P)
14. DOWNDRAFT (IRE) — 53.5kg
Jockey: John Allen, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien, Barrier: 15, Odds: $20 (W), $5.50 (P)
15. MAGIC WAND (IRE) — 53.5kg
Jockey: (TBC), Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Barrier: 24, Odds: $26 (W), $7 (P)
16. NEUFBOSC (FR) — 53.5kg
Jockey: Luke Nolen, Trainers: David Hayes, Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Barrier: 23, Odds: $151 (W), $26 (P)
17. SOUND (GER) — 53.5kg
Jockey: James Winks, Trainer: Michael Moroney, Barrier: 10, Odds: $101 (W), $21 (P)
18. SURPRISE BABY (NZ) — 53.5kg
Jockey: Jordan Childs, Trainer: Paul Preusker, Barrier: 20, Odds: $15 (W), $4.40 (P)
19. CONSTANTINOPLE (IRE) — 52.5kg
Jockey: Joao Moreira, Trainer: David Hayes, Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, Barrier: 7, Odds: $8.50 (W), $2.80 (P)
20. IL PARADISO (USA) — 52.5kg
Jockey: Wayne Lordan, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Barrier: 17, Odds: $14 (W), $4.20 (P)
21. STEEL PRINCE (IRE) — 52.5kg
Jockey: Brett Prebble, Trainer: Anthony Freedman, Barrier: 16, Odds: $61 (W), $15 (P)
22. THE CHOSEN ONE (NZ) — 52kg
Jockey: TBC, Trainers: Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, Barrier: 18, Odds: $81 (W), $17 (P)
23. VOW AND DECLARE — 52kg
Jockey: Craig Williams, Trainer: Danny O’Brien, Barrier: 21, Odds: $11 (W), $3.40 (P)
24. YOUNGSTAR — 52kg
Jockey: Tommy Berry, Trainer: Chris Waller, Barrier: 9, Odds: $34 (W), $9 (P)
2019 Melbourne Cup Favourites
Finche – Finche was a high-paying favourite, coming into the 2019 Melbourne Cup. The former French-trained galloper packed his bags for a second time and heading down under, after finishing fourth in 2018.
He had all the right ingredients for a win, but unfortunately, it turned into a recipe for disaster.
With a benefit of a long spell under the hot Aussie sun, Finche released his prominence in Cup betting markets for the entirety of the lead-up. The $8.50 favourite endured a wide run on the day, and battled well to take home seventh. Beaten by less than two lengths.
Il Paradiso – Il Paradiso was a Northern Hemisphere three-year-old targeting the Melbourne Cup, after watching other mates, Cross Counter and Rekindling claim success.
Coming in at $15, it was clear Aussie punters thought highly of the Irish-trained Aidan O’Brien spec horse. The 2019 Melbourne Cup was easily his biggest test to date, but after snagging a 3rd position, there was definitely some method behind the madness.
Prince of Arran – Prince of Arran loves the Aussie turf, and after visiting two times, has developed quite the following amongst racing fans. Sheer grit and determination being two of the key factors as to why.
The seven-year-old’s results since his return, show he was much more competitive and was set to get a great run from barrier eight. After a hard-fought win in the Geelong Cup, it was expected he was going to come out firing, but instead took home a close second.
Cross Counter – The defending Champion came back for more, after taking home the Melbourne Cup in 2018. He began his 2019 campaign with a strong victory in the 3,200m Dubai Gold Cup.
Then, swindled a fourth place in the Gold Cup (4,000m) at Royal Ascot, and a third in the Goodwood Cup (3,200m). His prep was rounded off with another fourth at the Irish St Leger (2,800m).
It was looking likely he was set to culminate with a peak performance at the 2019 Melbourne Cup; plenty of fans and punters alike were disappointed when he rounded in at 8th.
Mer De Glace – Japanese superstar, Mer De Glace, was one of those fluctuating favourites that you attempt to nab the right price on. He knocked Constantinople off the top tier as 2019 Melbourne Cup favourite, despite both faring well at the barrier draw.
He was building a promising record at home in Japan, before heading to Australia and making headlines with a staunch Caulfield Cup win (2,400m). At his first attempt beyond the 2,200 metres, Mer De Glace pumped up the acceleration from the back of field, to notch his winning streak up to six.
Although this performance hit the five-year-old with a cheeky 1kg penalty for the Melbourne Cup, he still remained one of the leading contenders despite stepping up the distance.
There was also the addition of an inside barrier draw, which assumably was going to give a soft run in transit.
But, it wasn’t just all or nothing for Mer De Glace – Victory would’ve also seen Damian Lane become the first jockey in history to take out all four major Aussie racing events in one year (Golden Slipper, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate). The distance proved too much for the International import, who slipped back into 6th.
Melbourne Cup 2019 Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1 | 23 | VOW AND DECLARE | Danny O’Brien | Craig Williams | 21 | 52kg | |||
| 2 | 12 | PRINCE OF ARRAN (GB) | Charlie Fellowes | Michael Walker | 0.2L | 8 | 54kg | ||
| 3 | 20 | IL PARADISO (USA) | Aidan O’Brien | Wayne Lordan | 0.3L | 17 | 52.5kg | ||
| 4 | 3 | MASTER OF REALITY (IRE) | Joseph O’Brien | Frankie Dettori | 0.4L | 1 | 55.5kg | ||
| 5 | 18 | SURPRISE BABY (NZ) | Paul Preusker | Jordan Childs | 0.9L | 20 | 53.5kg | ||
| 6 | 2 | MER DE GLACE (JPN) | Hisashi Shimizu | Damian Lane | 1.2L | 2 | 56kg | ||
| 7 | 11 | FINCHE (GB) | Chris Waller | Kerrin McEvoy | 1.4L | 4 | 54kg | ||
| 8 | 1 | CROSS COUNTER (GB) | Charlie Appleby | William Buick | 1.6L | 5 | 57.5kg | ||
| 9 | 21 | STEEL PRINCE (IRE) | Anthony Freedman | Brett Prebble | 2.1L | 16 | 52.5kg | ||
| 10 | 15 | MAGIC WAND (IRE) | Aidan O’Brien | Ryan Moore | 3.6L | 24 | 53.5kg | ||
| 11 | 10 | TWILIGHT PAYMENT (IRE) | Joseph O’Brien | Hugh Bowman | 3.8L | 19 | 55kg | ||
| 12 | 17 | SOUND (GER) | Michael Moroney | James Winks | 3.9L | 10 | 53.5kg | ||
| 13 | 19 | CONSTANTINOPLE (IRE) | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Joao Moreira | 4.1L | 7 | 52.5kg | ||
| 14 | 4 | MIRAGE DANCER (GB) | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Ben Melham | 4.3L | 13 | 55.5kg | ||
| 15 | 6 | HUNTING HORN (IRE) | Aidan O’Brien | Seamie Heffernan | 4.5L | 11 | 55kg | ||
| 16 | 13 | RAYMOND TUSK (IRE) | Richard Hannon | Jamie Spencer | 5L | 3 | 54kg | ||
| 17 | 22 | THE CHOSEN ONE (NZ) | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | Tim Clark | 5.2L | 18 | 52kg | ||
| 18 | 7 | LATROBE (IRE) | Joseph O’Brien | James McDonald | 6.45L | 22 | 55kg | ||
| 19 | 5 | SOUTHERN FRANCE (IRE) | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Mark Zahra | 6.55L | 14 | 55.5kg | ||
| 20 | 24 | YOUNGSTAR | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 7.3L | 9 | 52kg | ||
| 21 | 16 | NEUFBOSC (FR) | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Luke Nolen | 8.3L | 23 | 53.5kg | ||
| 22 | 14 | DOWNDRAFT (IRE) | Joseph O’Brien | John Allen | 8.6L | 15 | 53.5kg | ||
| 23 | 8 | MUSTAJEER (GB) | Kris Lees | Damien Oliver | 10.85L | 6 | 55kg | ||
| 24 | 9 | ROSTROPOVICH (IRE) | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Dwayne Dunn | 40.85L | 12 | 55kg |
Melbourne Cup 2019 Dividends
The 2019 Melbourne Cup quinella paid $82.40
The 2019 Melbourne Cup exacta paid $ 175.00
The 2019 Melbourne Cup first four paid $79,381.40.
2019 Melbourne Cup Trifecta Payout
The 2019 Melbourne Cup Trifecta paid $2,953.40.
Want more punting tips on the Melbourne Cup? Look no further than our Melbourne Cup Guide!