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What is the Melbourne Cup Order of Entry

The Melbourne Cup Order of Entry is the list that organises the Melbourne Cup field for 2024, with the top 24 horses on the list making the field for the big race at Flemington Racecourse.  

The list is primarily organised on the basis of the weights allocated for the Melbourne Cup runners.

That being said, the first seven horses on this list will be the winners of the Ballot Exemption or Golden Ticket races that guarantee a horse a run in the Melbourne Cup should it be nominated for it.

Outside of these horses, the remaining 17 positions in the Melbourne Cup field are determined by weight. 

The idea is to have the best possible horses running in the Melbourne Cup as it's the biggest moment of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

And, 
to establish best horses, they look to the weights that are assigned by the Racing Victoria chief handicapper. 

Last year, these Melbourne Cup weights were announced on Tuesday 19 September 2023 and from that date, the Melbourne Cup Order of Entry was available.

The release dates for the Melbourne Cup 2024 weights will be announced closer to the race date, but it should be in either August or September 2024.

The Order of Entry is able to change, however, as the performances of a horse between August/September 2024 and November 2 2023 can see the chief handicapper allocate more weight to them, therefore seeing them climb the list.

Melbourne Cup Order of Entry
Future History wins The Bart Cummings 2023 to make the Melbourne Cup 2023 Field (Photo: Getty Images)

Melbourne Cup Order of Entry 2024

The Melbourne Cup 2024 Order of Entry will be released in either August or September 2024 when the Melbourne Cup weights are released.

The list will change regularly, so bookmark this page and keep a close eyes on it.


Melbourne Cup Order of Entry 2023

The Melbourne Cup 2023 Order of Entry was released in September 19 2023 when the Melbourne Cup weights were released.

The list is as follows and will change regularly, so bookmark this page and keep a close eyes on it.

The Melbourne Cup field for 2023 won't be settled until Derby Day, which is November 4 2023.

Please find the latest Melbourne Cup Order of Entry update below:

Melbourne Cup 2023 Order of Entry before Lexus Archer Stakes

  Last 10 Horse Sex Age Trainer Ballot Weight Penalty Hcp Rating
1 1x20x11x61 WITHOUT A FIGHT (IRE) G 7 Anthony & Sam Freedman 1= 56.5kg 1.0kg 3
2 3127x1261x ABSURDE (FR) G 6 Willie Mullins 1= 53kg   6.5
3 154x721213 FUTURE HISTORY (GB) G 6 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 1= 50kg   9.5
4 x2570x4135 GOLD TRIP (FR) H 7 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 4 58.5kg   1
5 x69x00x059 ALENQUER (FR) G 6 Michael Moroney 5 56.5kg   3
6 x110x340x8 BREAKUP (JPN) H 6 Tatsuya Yoshioka 6 55kg   4.5
7 11x234211x VAUBAN (FR) G 6 Willie Mullins 7 55kg   4.5
8 1x682x1437 SOULCOMBE (GB) G 5 Chris Waller 8 53.5kg   6
9 x22460x022 VOW AND DECLARE G 8 Danny O'Brien 9 53kg   6.5
10 11121x2505 RIGHT YOU ARE G 7 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 10 53kg   6.5
11 5x0x06x906 MAGICAL LAGOON (IRE) M 5 Chris Waller 11 51kg   7
12 x8802x0908 VIRTUOUS CIRCLE (NZ) H 4 Liam Howley 12 51kg   7
13 7x1x23x41x LASTOTCHKA (FR) M 5 Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) 13 51kg   7
14 6x50x49621 CLEVELAND (IRE) H 6 Kris Lees 14 52kg 0.5kg 7.5
15 2x295x0808 SHERAZ (FR) G 7 Chris Waller 15 51.5kg   8
16 706x0x0074 DAQIANSWEET JUNIOR (NZ) G 6 Phillip Stokes 16 51.5kg   8
17 x22410x762 ASHRUN (FR) G 8 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 17 51.5kg   8
18 0x11x513x0 OKITA SOUSHI (IRE) H 6 Joseph O'Brien 18 51.5kg   8
19 319x920141 MILITARY MISSION (IRE) G 6 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 19 51kg 0.5kg 8.5
20 20x129x243 SERPENTINE (IRE) G 7 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 20 51kg   8.5
21 1265x728x5 MORE FELONS (IRE) G 5 Chris Waller 21 50.5kg   9
22 02813x8080 TRUE MARVEL (FR) G 8 Matthew Smith 22 50kg   9.5
23 536Px32591 INTERPRETATION (IRE) G 6 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 23 50kg   9.5
24 31413x3221 LADIES MAN (NZ) G 6 Allan Sharrock 24 50kg   9.5
25 37Px991187 ATHABASCAN (FR) G 5 John O'Shea 25 50kg   9.5
26 x41x952320 UNITED NATIONS (IRE) H 5 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 26 50kg   9.5
27 1213x3L733 KALAPOUR (IRE) G 7 Kris Lees 27 50kg   9.5
28 5x03323614 MOSTLY CLOUDY (IRE) G 5 Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young 28 50kg   9.5



Melbourne Cup Order of Entry 2022

In 2022 the Order of Entry was first released on September 15. It was then updated with second acceptances on Tuesday September 27. 2022 and updated again on Tuesday October 4, 2022 following the running of The Bart Cummings the previous Saturday.

Furthermore we updated the Order Of Entry again after fourth acceptances information was published on Racing Australia on Monday October 24 2022. 

The entire 2022 Melbourne Cup field table was updated on October 28 2022 now that vets have ruled Durston out of the Melbourne Cup and then ruled out German raider Loft.

Melbourne Cup 2022: Likely Field & Order Of Entry as of October 28 2022
  Last 10 Horse Sex Age Trainer Ballot Weight Penalty Hcp Rating
1 1156x46612 LUNAR FLARE M 7 Grahame Begg 1 51.5kg 0.5kg 6.5
2 x7x2111x90 POINT NEPEAN (IRE) H 5 Robert Hickmott 2 51kg   8.5
3 4x2x12121x DEAUVILLE LEGEND (IRE) G 4 James Ferguson 3 55kg   1.5
4 52x3x33529 GOLD TRIP (FR) H 6 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 4 57.5kg   2
5 96117x0688 DUAIS M 5 Edward Cummings 5 55.5kg   2.5
6 14x718x434 MONTEFILIA M 5 David Payne 6 55.5kg   2.5
7 312x322318 HOO YA MAL (GB) H 4 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 7 53.5kg   3
8 x3521x1343 KNIGHTS ORDER (IRE) G 8 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 8 55.5kg   4
9 11x20311x2 WITHOUT A FIGHT (IRE) G 6 Simon & Ed Crisford 9 55.5kg   4
10 x60211x225 NUMERIAN (IRE) G 7 Annabel Neasham 10 55.5kg   4
11 3217x551x8 CAMORRA (IRE) G 6 Ben & JD Hayes 11 55kg   4.5
12 x80314x710 ALEGRON G 4 James Cummings 12 53kg   5
13 0127x96441 STOCKMAN (NZ) G 6 Joseph Pride 13 54kg   5.5
14 32x528x430 YOUNG WERTHER (NZ) G 5 Danny O'Brien 14 54kg   5.5
15 x8x00x5356 VOW AND DECLARE G 7 Danny O'Brien 15 54kg   5.5
16 2516x7x594 GRAND PROMENADE (GB) G 7 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 16 53kg   6.5
17 x33219x700 TRALEE ROSE (NZ) M 6 Symon Wilde 17 51.5kg   6.5
18 111213x070 DAQIANSWEET JUNIOR (NZ) G 5 Phillip Stokes 18 53kg   6.5
19 2721712382 ARAPAHO (FR) G 6 Bjorn Baker 19 52.5kg   7
20 11119x9000 CRYSTAL PEGASUS (GB) G 6 Chris Waller 20 52kg   7.5
21 2219x92117 SMOKIN’ ROMANS (NZ) G 6 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 21 51.5kg 1.5kg 8
22 53x35x1581 EMISSARY (GB) G 6 Michael Moroney 22 51.5kg 0.5kg 8
23 51x006x033 REALM OF FLOWERS M 6 Anthony & Sam Freedman 23 50kg   8.5
24 9x25x34161 HIGH EMOCEAN (NZ) M 6 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 24 50kg   9.5
25 11144x6536 INTERPRETATION (IRE) H 5 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 25 50kg   9.5
26 432164x768 KING OF THE CASTLE (IRE) G 5 Robert Hickmott 26 50kg   9.5
27 x786x0x090 SERPENTINE (IRE) G 6 Robert Hickmott 27 53.5kg   6
28 x0036x8400 CHAPADA G 7 Michael Moroney 28 52.5kg   7
29 883x28x605 SAN HUBERTO (IRE) H 7 Matt Cumani 29 51.5kg   8
30 346x81x960 SCHABAU (GER) G 8 Robert Hickmott 30 50kg   9.5

Melbourne Cup Order of Entry 2021


The 2021 Melbourne Cup Order of Entry, though, was released on Tuesday September 14 2021 and will be updated from then until the final Melbourne Cup 2021 field is settled on Derby Day. 

More: Melbourne Cup - Futures Odds
Compare Bookie features and get the best bang for your buck on the Melbourne Cup!
Melbourne Cup - All The News
 

The following list will be a key guide to which of the top 24 horses will ultimately make the cut for this year's Cup.

The list is subject to change with several races offering ballot exemption, not to mention the penalties that some horses will incur for relevant performances between the time of release and Derby Day, when the final field is locked in. 

Melbourne Cup 2021 - Order of Entry as of October 30 2021

  Last 10 Horse Sex Age Trainer Ballot Weight Penalty Hcp Rating
1 111111x111 INCENTIVISE G 5 Peter G Moody 1 57kg 1.5kg 123
2 x221211251 GRAND PROMENADE (GB) G 6 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 2 52kg 1.0kg 108
3 x132751551 GREAT HOUSE (IRE) G 5 Chris Waller 3 50kg   107
4 x3112x2143 VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ) M 6 Chris Waller 4 57kg   118
5 1131x33912 TWILIGHT PAYMENT (IRE) G 9 Joseph O'Brien 5 58kg   117
6 17x2513x2x SPANISH MISSION (USA) H 6 Andrew Balding 6 57kg   117
7 132113x950 EXPLOSIVE JACK (NZ) H 4 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 7 54kg   115
8 29431x0090 JOHNNY GET ANGRY (NZ) G 4 Denis Pagan 8 53kg   113
9 x2606x3420 THE CHOSEN ONE (NZ) H 6 Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman 9 54kg   114
10 86541x0840 SELINO (GB) G 6 Chris Waller 10 53.5kg   110
11 78333x0095 MIAMI BOUND (NZ) M 5 Danny O'Brien 11 52kg   111
12 2324x37197 SHE’S IDEEL M 6 Bjorn Baker 12 52kg   111
13 1x610x5059 OCEAN BILLY (NZ) G 6 Chris Waller 13 53.5kg   112
14 111x6x4210 DELPHI (IRE) H 5 Anthony & Sam Freedman 14 53.5kg 1.0kg 112
15 5x1244x373 PERSAN G 5 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 15 53kg   109
16 x8511x9097 KNIGHTS ORDER (IRE) G 7 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 16 53kg   107
17 12114x3321 TRALEE ROSE (NZ) M 5 Symon Wilde 17 51kg   106
18 07422x4747 CARIF G 6 Peter & Paul Snowden 18 52.5kg   108
19 x22x722x54 PONDUS (GB) G 6 Robert Hickmott 19 52.5kg   111
20 x663x00030 MASTER OF WINE (GER) G 7 Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes 20 52.5kg   113
21 x1510x0600 PORT GUILLAUME (FR) G 5 Ben & JD Hayes 21 52kg   101
22 3x6133x086 FUTURE SCORE (IRE) G 7 Matt Cumani 22 51.5kg   107
23 100x667309 FUN FACT G 6 Bjorn Baker 23 51.5kg   8
24 x41x81x248 SIR LUCAN (IRE) H 4 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 24 50kg   110
25 x55x011132 FLOATING ARTIST (GB) G 6 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 25 50kg   106
26 1222x23222 MANKAYAN (IRE) G 6 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 26 50kg   99
27 x2031x2753 EMISSARY (GB) G 5 Michael Moroney 27 50kg   96
28 111733x745 KING’S CHARISMA (IRE) G 5 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 28= 50kg   76
29 388x31161 FORGOT YOU (NZ) C 3 Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young 28= 49kg   110

Melbourne Cup Order of Entry 2020

The 2020 Melbourne Cup Order of Entry was first released in September 2020.

The Melbourne Cup 2020 attracted 174 initial nominations with 30 of these being international entrants, despite the impact of Covid 19 on travel and quarantine.


Melbourne Cup 2020 - Order of Entry as of October 31 2020

  Horse Sex Age Trainer Ballot Weight
1 VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ) M 5 Chris Waller 1 55.5kg
2 SIR DRAGONET (IRE) H 5 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 2 55.5kg
3 OCEANEX (NZ) M 5 Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) 3= 51.5kg
4 PERSAN H 4 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 3= 51kg
5 ASHRUN (FR) H 5 Andreas Wohler 3= 53kg
6 ANTHONY VAN DYCK (IRE) H 5 Aidan O'Brien 6 58.5kg
7 VOW AND DECLARE G 5 Danny O'Brien 7 57kg
8 AVILIUS (GB) G 7 James Cummings 8 57kg
9 RUSSIAN CAMELOT (IRE) H 4 Danny O'Brien 9 53.5kg
10 MASTER OF REALITY (IRE) G 6 Joseph O'Brien 10 56kg
11 TWILIGHT PAYMENT (IRE) G 8 Joseph O'Brien 11 55.5kg
12 TIGER MOTH (IRE) H 4 Aidan O'Brien 12 52.5kg
13 MUSTAJEER (GB) G 8 Kris Lees 13 55kg
14 STRATUM ALBION (GB) G 8 Willie Mullins 14 55kg
15 PRINCE OF ARRAN (GB) G 8 Charlie Fellowes 15 54.5kg
16 WARNING G 4 Anthony & Sam Freedman 16 53kg
17 SURPRISE BABY (NZ) G 6 Paul Preusker 17 54.5kg
18 DASHING WILLOUGHBY (GB) G 5 Andrew Balding 18 54.5kg
19 FINCHE (GB) G 7 Chris Waller 19 54.5kg
20 ETAH JAMES (NZ) M 8 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 20 52.5kg
21 MIAMI BOUND (NZ) M 4 Danny O'Brien 21 51kg
22 THE CHOSEN ONE (NZ) H 5 Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman 22 53.5kg
23 STEEL PRINCE (IRE) G 7 Anthony & Sam Freedman 23 53.5kg
24 KING OF LEOGRANCE (FR) G 6 Danny O'Brien 24 53.5kg
25 TRUE SELF (IRE) M 8 Willie Mullins 25 52kg
26 SAN HUBERTO (IRE) H 5 Matt Cumani 26 53.5kg
27 NICKAJACK CAVE (IRE) G 5 Peter G Moody 27 53.5kg
28 PLATINUM INVADOR (NZ) G 5 Peter G Moody 28 53kg
29 HUSH WRITER (JPN) G 6 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 29 52.5kg
30 LE DON DE VIE (GB) G 5 Anthony & Sam Freedman 30 52.5kg
31 SKYWARD (FR) H 5 Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young 31 52.5kg
32 SOUND (GER) H 8 Michael Moroney 32 52kg
33 AZURO (FR) G 7 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 33 52kg
34 CHAPADA G 5 Michael Moroney 34 52kg
35 CARIF H 5 Peter & Paul Snowden 35 52kg
36 HAKY (IRE) G 7 Archie Alexander 36 52kg
37 GALLIC CHIEFTAIN (FR) H 8 Archie Alexander 37 51kg
38 PONDUS (GB) G 5 Joseph O'Brien 38 51kg
39 SCHABAU (GER) H 6 Robert Hickmott 39 50.5kg
40 ATTORNEY (FR) G 6 Matthew Smith 40 50kg
41 LORD BELVEDERE (GB) G 7 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 41 50.5kg
43 ADMIRE ROBSON (JPN) H 7 Paul Preusker 42= 50kg
44 FUTURE SCORE (IRE) G 6 Matt Cumani 42= 50kg
45 SARACEN KNIGHT (IRE) G 6 Danny O'Brien 42= 50kg

Melbourne Cup Order of Entry 2019

The 2019 Melbourne Cup Order of Entry was first released on September 13, 2019. The 2019 Melbourne Cup attracted 152 nominations with 39 of these being international entrants.

Melbourne Cup 2019 - Order of Entry

  Horse Sex Age Trainer Ballot Weight Penalty Hcp Rating
1 DOWNDRAFT (IRE) H 5 Joseph O'Brien 1= 53.5 TBD 6
2 MER DE GLACE (JPN) H 5 Hisashi Shimizu 1= 56kg 1.0kg 3.5
3 SURPRISE BABY (NZ) G 5 Paul Preusker 1= 53.5kg 1.0kg 6
4 STEEL PRINCE (IRE) G 6 Anthony Freedman 1= 52.5kg   7
5 CROSS COUNTER (GB) G 5 Charlie Appleby 4 57.5kg   2
6 MIRAGE DANCER (GB) H 6 Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young 6 55.5kg   4
7 SOUTHERN FRANCE (IRE) H 5 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 7 55.5kg   4
8 CONSTANTINOPLE (IRE) H 4 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 8 52.5kg   4
9 MASTER OF REALITY (IRE) G 5 Joseph O'Brien 9 55.5kg   4
10 IL PARADISO (USA) H 4 Aidan O'Brien 10 52.5kg   4
11 LATROBE (IRE) H 5 Joseph O'Brien 11 55kg   4.5
12 MUSTAJEER (GB) G 7 Kris Lees 13 55kg   4.5
13 HUNTING HORN (IRE) H 5 Aidan O'Brien 14 55kg   4.5
14 ROSTROPOVICH (IRE) G 5 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 15 55kg   4.5
15 MAGIC WAND (IRE) M 5 Aidan O'Brien 17 53.5kg   4.5
16 TWILIGHT PAYMENT (IRE) G 7 Joseph O'Brien 18 55kg   4.5
17 PRINCE OF ARRAN (GB) G 7 Charlie Fellowes 19 54kg 1kg 5.5
18 FINCHE (GB) G 6 Chris Waller 20 54kg   5.5
19 RAYMOND TUSK (IRE) H 5 Richard Hannon 21 54kg   5.5
20 VOW AND DECLARE G 4 Danny O'Brien 22 52kg   6
21 YOUNGSTAR M 5 Chris Waller 23 52kg   6
22 NEUFBOSC (FR) G 5 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 24 53.5kg   6
23 SOUND (GER) H 7 Michael Moroney 25 53.5kg   6
24 THE CHOSEN ONE (NZ) H 4 Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman 26 52kg 0.5kg 6.5
25 PATRICK ERIN (NZ) G 8 Chris Waller 28 53kg   6.5
26 TRUE SELF (IRE) M 7 William Mullins 29 51.5kg   6.5
27 SIR CHARLES ROAD G 6 Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott 31 52.5kg   7
28 GALLIC CHIEFTAIN (FR) H 7 Archie Alexander 32 52.5kg   7
29 GREY LION (IRE) G 8 Matthew Smith 35 52.5kg   7
31 HAKY (IRE) G 6 John Hammond 36 52kg   7.5
32 BRIMHAM ROCKS (GB) G 6 Chris Waller 37 51.5kg   8
33 AZURO (FR) G 6 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 38 50.5kg   9
34 HUSH WRITER (JPN) G 5 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 39 50kg   9.5
35 VALAC (IRE) G 8 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 40 50kg   9.5
36 SULLY (NZ) G 5 Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young 41 50kg   9.5
37  WALL OF FIRE (IRE) G 7 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 42 50kg   9.5

Melbourne Cup 2024 Order of Entry FAQs

What is Melbourne Cup 2024 Order of Entry?

The 2024 Melbourne Cup Order of Entry should be released in August or September 2024. See the Melbourne Cup order of entry and breakdown of local and international nominees here

What does the Order of Entry for the Melbourne Cup do?

The Order of Entry is a dynamic list that ranks all Melbourne Cup contenders in order of their eligibility for entry. It's based primarily on the Ballot Order, but also factors in any ballot-exempt horses. It represents the best guide a punter has to anticipating the make up of the Melbourne Cup field prior to its finalisation on Derby Day (2 November 2024).

It basically ranks all the horses according to a range of relevant form factors - the top 24 in the rankings are the most likely horses to gain a start. Winners of certain races (ballot-exemption races) receive automatic entry to the Melbourne Cup and in doing so leapfrog horses previously ahead of them. Stewards can also exercise their discretion and promote a horse into the field if they feel it is warranted, but this rarely occurs.

How is Ballot Order ranking determined?

Ballot Order ranking is determined by two factors: Whether the horse has passed the ballot clause (see clauses below), which qualifies it to run in the Cup. And a horse's weight allocation for the Cup, relative to what it would carry according to the Weight-For-Age (WFA) scale. 


Are there other ways to gain entry into the Cup field?

Outside of the Ballot Order, horses can gain automatic entry into the Cup field by winning any of the following five ballot-exemption races: The Andrew Ramsden (new to the list in 2019), The Bart Cummings (new to the list in 2015), Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, and the Lexus Stakes.

The Roy Higgins provides the first opportunity for ballot-exemption in May while the Lexus Stakes is the last chance saloon.

We'll have the dates for these races soon when they are scheduled by Racing Victoria.

The Roy Higgins 2023 won by Goldman on March 25 2023 The Andrew Ramsden 2023 won by Lunar Flare
Ebor Handicap 2023 won by Absurde on August 26 2023. The Bart Cummings 2023 won by Future History
Caulfield Cup 2023 won by Without A Fight Cox Plate 2022 won by Anamoe
Lexus Archer Stakes 2023 won by Surefire  


How the Melbourne Cup field is established

The 2024 Spring Feature Conditions will be released by Racing Victoria and the conditions for the Melbourne Cup 2024 will be available closer to the race date.

The 2023 Spring Feature Conditions have been released by Racing Victoria and the conditions for the Melbourne Cup 2023 are as follows:


First nominations for the Melbourne Cup cost $1500 dollars.

However if you miss the deadline and have to lodge a late entry, the fee climbs steeply to $5500. After these initial fees there are then more fees that need to be paid for first the first declaration of acceptances, second declaration of acceptances etc. The fees and deadlines for acceptances are as follows:

FIRST DECLARATION
By 12 NOON (Melbourne Time) TUESDAY 3 OCTOBER – Fee: $2000

SECOND DECLARATION
By 12 NOON (Melbourne Time) TUESDAY 17 OCTOBER – Fee: $3000

THIRD DECLARATION
By 12 NOON (Melbourne Time) MONDAY 30 OCTOBER – Fee: $4000

FINAL DECLARATION
By 4.30 PM (Melbourne Time) SATURDAY 4 NOVEMBER – Fee: $49500

Ballot Order ranking is determined by two factors:
  • Whether the horse has passed the ballot clause (see clauses below), which qualifies it to run in the Cup
  • A horse's weight allocation for the Cup, relative to what it would carry according to the Weight-For-Age (WFA) scale

Passing the ballot clause basically means a horse has satisfied one or more of the following clauses
A) since 1 February 2022 inclusive, won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in an internationally recognised
Group or Graded flat race run over 2300 metres or further; OR
B) since 1 February 2022 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
C) since 1 February 2022 inclusive, won an internationally recognised Listed flat race run over 2300
metres or further, OR
D) since 1 February 2023 inclusive, won the Northumberland Plate (UK), OR
E) was placed 6th, 7th or 8th in the 2023 MRC Caulfield Cup, OR
F) since 1 February 2022 inclusive, won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in an internationally recognised
Group 1 or Graded 1 flat race run over 2000 metres or further; OR
G) was placed 2nd or 3rd in one of the seven 2023 Ballot exempt races listed above, OR
H) won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in the 2021 Lexus Melbourne Cup, OR
I) won the 2021 MRC Caulfield Cup

Should the number of such horses exceed the number of horses required to be eliminated from the race, then such elimination shall be effected by order of the lowest appended weight figure against the benchmark weight for individual horses, as the case may be.

Horses in this clause (2) with the same lowest appended weight figure against the benchmark weight for individual horses, as the case may be, shall be eliminated at the discretion of the Directors.

(3) If, after balloting pursuant to Clause (2) has been exhausted, excess horses remain, elimination of such horses shall be effected by order of the lowest appended weight figure against the benchmark weight for individual horses, as the case may be.

Horses in this clause (3) with the same lowest appended weight figure against the benchmark weight for individual horses, as the case may be, shall be eliminated in order of lowest aggregate prizemoney received in “Relevant Race Performances” since 1 February 2022 inclusive. Horses equal in both of these respects shall be eliminated at the discretion of the Directors.

For more information, check out Racing Victoria's official Melbourne Cup 2023 Entry Conditions.



Melbourne Cup Order Of Entry

READ MORE on the Melbourne Cup 2024:

Melbourne Cup 2024 Field
Melbourne Cup Day
Melbourne Cup 2024 Favourites
Melbourne Cup 2024 Barrier Draw
Melbourne Cup 2024 Jockeys
Melbourne Cup 2024 Trainers
Melbourne Cup 2024 International Horses
Melbourne Cup 2024 Scratchings
Melbourne Cup 2024 News
Melbourne Cup 2024 Nominations
Melbourne Cup 2024 Lead Up Races
Melbourne Cup 2024 Exemption Races
Melbourne Cup 2024 Prize Money
Melbourne Cup 2024 Weather
Melbourne Cup Radio Stations
Melbourne Cup Fashion
Melbourne Cup Replays
Melbourne Cup Past Winners
Melbourne Cup Statistics
Melbourne Cup History


Melbourne Cup Results

Melbourne Cup Milestones

NominationsTue, 3rd September
1st AcceptancesTue, 1st October
2nd AcceptancesTue, 15th October
3rd AcceptancesMon, 28th October
Form GuideSat, 2nd November
Race DayTue, 5th November
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