2020 Melbourne Cup Runner By Runner Preview, Odds, & Tips

It’s shaping up to be an outstanding edition of the Melbourne Cup (3200m), with the usual band of international raiders taking on the best local hopes for a slice of the $8 million on offer… the Tigers took out the AFL Grand Final, will a Tiger take out the Melbourne Cup too?!

Let’s take a look at each and every runner going around in The Race That Stops A Nation to fill our pockets and give you ultimate bragging rights with your friends, family and co-workers…

1 – Anthony Van Dyck – $9 ???

A monster effort in the Caulfield Cup when second behind Verry Elleegant, who had the odds stacked in her favour with the soft track and better draw. It’s going to take a very good horse to win with 58.5kg, but he looks one of the better internationals to come out in recent times. In with a massive chance with the Good track and kind draw, and must be on your side and in all exotics.

Thriller! Anthony Van Dyck defeats Stradivarius to win the Group 2 Qatar Prix Foy for @mickaelbarzalon and Aidan O’Brien at @paris_longchamp! pic.twitter.com/44roL9x7vm

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 13, 2020

2 – Avilius – $51

The old stager is travelling well this preparation and was blocked out of a run in the Caulfield Cup, where he very well could have placed with clear air. Probably needs a softer track at this stage, the price is about right.

3 – Vow And Declare – $67

Last year’s winner just isn’t travelling as well this time around, and is carrying 5kg more this time around. Willo jumping off is a big negative, happy to be against him.

What a finish to the race that stops a nation!

VOW AND DECLARE gets up in the final strides in a thrilling finish to win the 2019 #MelbourneCup for Australia! ???

?️ @Racing pic.twitter.com/KdvGhRAZmB

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) November 5, 2019

4 – Master Of Reality – $26 ??

It looks a nice setup for Master Of Reality, who was second across the line last year but relegated to fourth after Frankie Dettori did Frankie Dettori things. Has to be a live hope, Melham should roll forward from the gate and he’ll be a major player at nice odds.

5 – Sir Dragonet – $10 ?

Outstanding win in the Cox Plate, with Group 1 Glen Boss delivering again on the big stage. He gets another chance here, with the negative the Good track, which could be quite unforgiving by 3pm Tuesday. At the short quote, happy to be against him, but must go in all exotics.

He gets his big race, but it’s not for Aidan O’Brien! Sir Dragonet wins the Ladbrokes Cox Plate for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace!

?@Racing

pic.twitter.com/QeU2DxEEfr

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 24, 2020

6 – Twilight Payment – $26 ?

Was plain out here last year finishing 11^th in the Melbourne Cup, but seems to be travelling better than he was this time around. Has taken care of Master Of Reality a few times this preparation and must be an outside chance at the odds.

7 – Verry Elleegant – $13 ???

Can’t knock the star mare who has shot the lights out this preparation, and has to be right in this. If you’ve been with her this preparation you can’t jump off, she’s won the Turnbull Stakes and the Caulfield Cup as the $5 favourite, and you’re getting $13 about her here. Shouldn’t have any issue staying the trip and is right in this.

What a MARE!

Verry Elleegant is the Caulfield Cup hero for 2020! pic.twitter.com/Rl8Z6lzJtC

— 7HorseRacing ? (@7horseracing) October 17, 2020

8 – Mustajeer – $101

Would need to start running now.

9 – Stratum Albion – $51

Interesting runner who has been going over the sticks. Second behind Enbihaar in a flat race is very good form, but not sure he’s the right type of horse with a dynamic turn of foot to win this.’

10 – Dashing Willoughby – $101

This galloper looks like an absolute plodder, was happy to be against him in the Caulfield Cup and he performed so badly that connections scanned him twice for an explanation. Price is about right.

11 – Finche – $19 ?

Speaking of turn of foot, it’s probably the one thing the big giraffe lacks. He should roll forward from the gate and loom in the straight, but not sure he’s got the required x factor to win against some of these. Goes in all exotics and is sure to try his heart out.

12 – Prince Of Arran – $12 ?

Hit the line well in the Caulfield Cup and looks to be in the finish once again, and gets J Kah on who is absolutely flying. Stats aren’t great for returning horses in the Melbourne Cup, let alone those having their third attempt… has he had his chance already? Goes in all exotics.

13 – Surprise Baby – $9.50 ?

Has been earmarked as his race ever since he flashed home to finish 5^th in last year’s edition. Willo on is a massive tick and he’s drawn well. Should be in the finish but think he’s running into a few that may be too smart on the day.

14 – King Of Leogrance – $51

Hasn’t looked up to it this time around.

15 – Russian Camelot – $13 ???

Has been monstrous all preparation and fought on well in the Cox Plate after doing a stack of work in the run. The Cox Plate was the grand final but it’s been a great platform for a Melbourne Cup tilt, and he’s drawn well enough to sit with some cover with Ollie onboard. Will stay all day and has to be a massive chance, and he’s at a nice price.

Russian Camelot could be anything. ?

A star is born in the Underwood Stakes. pic.twitter.com/P7frTCyWvX

— 7HorseRacing ? (@7horseracing) September 26, 2020

16 – Steel Prince – $41

Travelling really well this preparation and won his way in with a strong victory in the Geelong Cup. Don’t think he’s got the class to win a Melbourne Cup.

17 – The Chosen One – $41 ?

Bobbed up to place in the Caulfield Cup and won’t mind the step up in trip. One to include in wider exotics.

18 – Ashrun – $23 ??

Won his way in with a massive run in the Hotham Handicap, and looks like he’ll be right in the finish up in trip. Think Flemington suits him with the long straight that allows him to wind up and keep going. Think he has to be on your side at the price.

RESULT |

Ashrun is into the Melbourne Cup after storming home to claim the Hotham Stakes for Andreas Wohler with @KPMcEvoy aboard ?

Can he win the big one on Tuesday? ?pic.twitter.com/cUkjQhko3d

— RSN927am (@RSN927) October 31, 2020

19 – Warning – $51

Only Phar Lap and and Efficient have returned to win the Melbourne Cup the year after taking out a Victoria Derby, and don’t think he’s quite at that class. Happy to be against him.

20 – Etah James – $201

The price says it all, no.

21 – Tiger Moth – $8 ???

Outstanding profile for the Melbourne Cup, a northern hemisphere three-year-old with feather weight. Kerrin McEvoy on is a big plus, and so is the dry track. Has drifted since the barrier draw but think it’s an overreaction, and he is the one to beat. Must be on your side and goes in everything.

? Tiger Moth? storms home to secure the @paddypower 'Is It 2021 Yet?' Stakes with Ryan Moore in the saddle for Aidan O’Brien ?? ? @IrishChampsWknd

Another winner for @Ballydoyle ??#LICW2020 pic.twitter.com/TKua87GG14

— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) September 12, 2020

22 – Oceanex – $91

The price tells the tale.

23 – Miami Bound – $41 ?

Would’ve been a live chance on a wet deck but the conditions make it tough. Can include in wider exotics.

24 – Persan – $41

Great training effort to get Persan into the cup but this looks too tough.

Tip: 21-1-15-4/7

? = Must Watch
? = Big Winning Chance
?= Worth Including in Exotics

*Odds accurate at time of posting