Go Here for the Melbourne Cup Early Nominations & Official Order of Entry. Melbourne Cup final acceptances & weights.

Q: How is the final field of the Melbourne Cup decided, what are the ballot conditions?

A:The final field of the Melbourne Cup is determined by the board of the VRC subject to certain conditions. The VRC board, at its discretion, may eliminate a horse(s) from the final field of 24 in certain circumstances. If such discretionary elimination does occur, replacement of such a horse will be according to the balloting order with the next horse in the order of entry making its way into the final field of 24. Horses outside of the top 24 will not be promoted over other horses.

Q: Why are there no emergencies in the Melbourne Cup?

A: The Australian totalisator (TAB) does not currently have a facility to accommodate more than 24 numbers in the system, so there can be no number 25 or 26 etc. In other countries this is overcome by giving an emergency runner the saddlecloth number of a scratched horse, but this is not permitted in Australia as it is believed it would have a negative impact on turnover.

Q: When are final acceptances for the Melbourne Cup?

A: Final Declarations will be taken by 4.30pm on the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup. The final field and barrier draw are announced a short time later. Final acceptances are taken on the understanding the horse would be fit enough to race if the Melbourne Cup were held on the day of final declarations. The final field & barrier draw of this year's Melbourne Cup will be published HERE>.

Q: Are the winners of certain races guaranteed entry to the Melbourne Cup?

A: The winners of the following races in the same year are exempt from ballot and permitted an automatic entry to the Melbourne Cup should they decide to nominate:

VRC Lexus Stakes

MVRC Cox Plate

MRC Caulfield Cup

The remaining final acceptors shall be eliminated in the following order until the limit of 24 is reached:Horses (other than those above) that:

A) since 1 February inclusive have won, or been placed 2nd or 3rd in an internationally recognised Group or Graded flat race run over 2300 metres or further; OR

B) since 1 February inclusive have been 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

C) since 1 February inclusive, won an internationally recognised Listed flat race run over 2300 metres or further, OR

D) since 1 February inclusive, won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in the York Ebor (UK) or Champions & Chater Cup (HK), OR

E) since 1 February inclusive, won the Northumberland Plate (UK), Cesarewitch (UK), or Queen Memorial Cup (HK), OR

F) was placed 6th, 7th or 8th in the same year's MRC Caulfield Cup, OR

G) was placed 2nd or 3rd in the same year's MVRC Cox Plate, OR

H) was placed 2nd or 3rd in the same year's VRC Mackinnon Stakes, OR

I)  won the same year's VRC Turnbull Stakes, OR

J) won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in the previous year's Emirates Melbourne Cup, OR

K) won the previous year's Caulfield Cup

 Melbourne Cup Order of Entry FAQs:

Melbourne Cup - First Tuesday in November.

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