Melbourne Cup lead-up form – key indicator of success

Melbourne Cup lead-up form is the strongest indicator of success in the Melbourne Cup. Almost every Melbourne Cup winner over the years has shown progressive form leading up to the Cup. Moreover, Cup winners invariably show an exceptional performance in the race immediately prior to their Cup run. It therefore makes sense for punters to study the lead-up form extremely closely, looking for key indicators of improvement.

Key indicators in Melbourne Cup lead-up form

The aim for the Melbourne Cup trainer is to have his horse at peak fitness on the first Tuesday in November. A Cup winner will have shown steady improvement particular in the latter stage so its campaign.

Bart Cummings, trainer of 12 Melbourne Cup winners, had his horses “trained to the minute”. This meant essentially that the horse slowly built up distance and fitness to peak on the first Tuesday in November. His Melbourne Cup lead-up form would involve a few runs in shorter races, beginning to show signs of looking for more ground, and stepping up through WFA races, the Caulfield Cup and Mackinnon Stakes. In most racing regions, this would be considered an unusual preparation. The Mackinnon is on the Saturday before the Tuesday, Cup Day. However, the Mackinnon run fine-tuned his charges for the big two-mile marathon. It seemed to work!

Most Australian and New Zealand-trained winners start their preps with a gradual increase as they get deeper into their final assault. It’s the way they have done it for many years, and is a proven formula.

There are many ways for punters to find the Melbourne Cup winner. However, the most credible method and strongest predictor is studying Melbourne Cup lead-up form.

Race patterns are important

More importantly than the overall result in Melbourne Cup lead-up form analysis is how the horses are “finishing off” their races.

A horse that relaxes in the race and starts to gather momentum in the final stretch, weaving through or coming down the outside, is a horse that will relish the two miles.

In contrast, a horse that is weakening on its run or failing to improve is unlikely to have the stamina necessary for the two miles.

Punters can also look for horses that were unlucky or racing on unfavourable surfaces or conditions. These can show dramatic improvement on Cup day if the conditions are appropriate.

Listening to post-race jockey interviews can be very informative for learning about how each horse performed and the level of confidence going forward.

While every Cup horse needs to show gradual improvement, they can follow different pathways to the Cup. It’s essential to map the Melbourne Cup lead-up form to determine which pathways are the most successful.

Careful study of the lead-up form below can increase your confidence in getting into the Melbourne Cup futures markets.

The following is the Melbourne Cup lead-up form for Melbourne Cup winners over the past 35 years.

Melbourne Cup Winners: Lead-up Form – Since 1984

1984 Black Knight (AUS) – 5YOg, barrier 11

11th – Listed Auries Star Handicap: 52.5kg (1200m hcp) – Robert Heffernan
10th – Open handicap: 56kg (1400m hcp) – Robert Heffernan
1st – Open handicap: 54kg (2000m hcp) – Robert Heffernan
4th – Open handicap: 58.5kg (2000m hcp) – Robert Heffernan
9th – Open handicap: 54kg (2050m hcp) – Robert Heffernan
1st – Open handicap: 54.5kg (2100m hcp) – Robert Heffernan
7th – Open handicap: 59kg (2050m hcp) – Robert Heffernan
2nd – Group 3 Geelong Cup: 52kg (2400m hcp) Robert Heffernan
3rd – Group 2 The Dalgety: 52.5kg (2500m hcp) – Harry White
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 50kg (3200m hcp) – Peter Cook

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 17,700 metres. Trainer: George Hanlon

1985 What A Nuisance (NZ) – 7YOg, barrier 17

3rd – Open handicap: 57.5kg (1300m hcp) – Matthew Hyland
3rd – Open handicap: 56.5kg (1600m hcp) – Pat Hyland
1st – Open handicap: 58kg (1600m hcp) – Matthew Hyland
2nd – Open handicap: 56.5kg (2020m) – Pat Hyland
2nd- Listed Navy Day Handicap (The Bart Cummings): 57kg (2500m hcp) – Pat Hyland
6th – Group 1 Caulfield Stakes 59kg (2000m WFA) – Pat Hyland
4th – Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup: 55.5kg (2600m hcp) – Pat Hyland
5th – Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes: 58.5kg (2000m WFA) – Pat Hyland
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 52.5kg (3200m hcp) – Pat Hyand

Total metres Run Before Cup Win: 15,620 metres. Trainer John Meagher

1986 At Talaq (USA) – 6YOg, barrier 1

10th – Group 2 J.J Liston Stakes: 58.5kg (1400m WFA) – Robert Mallyon
2nd – Group 2 Craiglee Stakes: 58.5kg (1600m WFA) – Michael Clarke
2nd – Group 1 Underwood Stakes: 59kg (2000m WFA) – Michael Clarke
4th – Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes: 58.5kg (2400m hcp) – Michael Clarke
2nd – Group 1 Caulfield Cup: 54.5kg (2400m hcp) – Michael Clarke
1st – Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes: 58.5kg (2000m WFA) – Michael Clarke
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 54.5kg (3200m hcp) – Michael Clarke

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 11,800 metres: Trainer: Colin Hayes

1987 Kensei (NZ) – 5YOg, barrier 4

2nd – Open Handicap: 56kg (1900m hcp at Rosehill) – Larry Olsen
1st – Open Handicap: 61.5kg (1800m hcp at Royal Randwick) – Larry Olsen
2nd – Group 2 Newcastle Cup: 56kg (2300m hcp at Newcastle) – Larry Olsen
6th – Group 1 George Main Stakes: 58.5kg (1600m WFA at Royal Randwick) – Larry Olsen
2nd – Group 1 The Metropolitan: 54.5kg (2400m hcp at Royal Randwick) – Larry Olsen
7th – Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes: 59kg (2000m WFA at Flemington) – Pat Hyland
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 51.5kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Larry Olsen

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 12,000 metres: Trainer: Les Bridge.

1988 Empire Rose (NZ) – 6YO mare, barrier 20

6th – Open Handicap: 56.5kg (1400m hcp at Hastings) – Tony Allen
12th – Open Handicap: 57kg (1600m F&M hcp at Te Rapa) – Tony Allen
3rd – Open Handicap: 57kg (2100m hcp at Hawera) – Tony Allen
1st – Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes: 56.5kg (2000m WFA at Flemington) – Tony Allen
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 53.5kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Tony Allen

Total Metres Run before Cup Win: 7,100 metres. Trainer: Laurie Laxon.

1989 Tawrrific (NZ) – 5YOh, barrier 11

3rd – Group 2 J.J Liston Stakes: 58.5kg (1400m WFA at Caulfield) – Darren Gauci
11th – Group 2 Craiglee Stakes: 58.5kg (1600m WFA at Flemington) – Gavin Duffy
2nd – Open Handicap: 57.5kg (2100m hcp at Sandown) – Darren Gauci
2nd – Open Handicap: 57kg (2400m hcp at Caulfield) – Darren Gauci
3rd – Open Handicap: 57kg (2500m hcp at Flemington) – Darren Gauci
17th – Group 1 Caulield Cup: 54kg (2400m hcp at Caulfield) – Brian York
3rd – Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup: 56kg (2600m hcp at Moonee Valley) – Darren Gauci
9th – Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes: 58.5kg (2000m WFA at Flemington) -Shane Dye
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 54kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Shane Dye

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 17,000 metres. Trainer: Lee Freedman.

1990 Kingston Rule (USA) – 5YOh, barrier 1

8th – Open Handicap: 57.5kg (1223 hcp at Moonee Valley) – Larry Maund
5th – Group 2 Memsie Stakes: 58.5kg (1400m WFA at Caulfield) – Larry Maund
4th – Group 2 Craiglee Stakes: 58.5kg (1600m WFA at Flemington) – Larry Maund
8th – Open Handicap: 55kg (2100m hcp at Sandown) – Larry Maund
2nd – Group 3 Coongy Handicap: 53kg (2000m hcp at Caulfield) – Jim Cassidy
1st – Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup: 53kg (2600m hcp at Moonee Valley) – Jim Cassidy
2nd – Group 2 Dalgety Stakes: 56kg (2500m hcp at Flemington) – Darren Beadman
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 53kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Darren Beadman

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 13,423 Metres. Trainer: Bart Cummings.

1991 Let’s Elope (NZ) – 4YO mare, barrier 10

4th – Open Handicap: 51.5kg (1200m hcp at Caulfield) – Grant Darrington
3rd – Listed Milady Stakes: 55kg (1400m hcp at Flemington) – Simon Marshall
10th – Listed Royal Show Stakes: 52kg (1800m hcp at Caulfield) – Shane Dye
1st – Group 2 Turnbull Stakes: 50kg (2000m SWP at Flemington) – Steven King
1st – Group 1 Caulfield Cup: 48.5kg (2400m hcp at Caulfield) – Steven King
1st – Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes: 54.5kg (2000m WFA at Flemington) – Steven King
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 51kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Steven King

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 10,800 metres. Trainer: Bart Cummings.

1992 Subzero (AUS) – 4YOg, barrier 14

6th – Group 2 J.J Liston Stakes: 57kg (1400m WFA at Caulfield) – Simon Marshall
2nd – Group 2 Craiglee Stakes: 57kg (1600m WFA at Flemington) – Simon Marshall
2nd – Group 1 Underwood Stakes: 57kg (2000m WFA at Caulfield) – Greg Hall
8th – Group 1 Yalumba (Caulfield) Stakes: 57kg (2000m WFA at Caulfield) – Greg Hall
4th – Group 1 Caulfield Cup: 54.5kg (2400m hcp at Caulfield) – Greg Hall
5th – Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes: 57kg (2000m WFA at Flemington) – Greg Hall
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 54.5kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Greg Hall

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 11,400 metres. Trainer: Lee Freedman

1993 Vintage Crop (IRE) – 6YOh, barrier 5

2nd – Group 3 Meld Stakes: 57kg (2000m hcp at Curragh) – Paul Shanahan
1st – Group 1 Irish St Ledger: 56kg (2800m hcp at Curragh) – Michael Kinane
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 55.5kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Michael Kinane

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 4,800 metres. Trainer: Dermot Weld.

1994 Jeune (GB) – 5YOh, barrier 9

2nd – Open Handicap: 58kg (1250m hcp at Cheltenham Park) – Anthony Smith
3rd – Group 2 Craiglee Stakes: 58.5kg (1600m WFA at Flemington) – Rod Griffiths
1st – Group 1 Underwood Stakes: 59kg (1800m WFA at Caulfield) – Rod Griffiths
2nd – Group 1 Yalumba (Caulfield) Stakes: 59kg (2000m WFA at Caulfield) – Rod Griffiths
13th – Group 1 Cox Plate 59kg: (2040m WFA at Moonee Valley) – Rod Griffiths
2nd – Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes: 59kg (2000m WFA at Flemington) – Shane Dye
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 56.5kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Wayne Harris

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 10,690 metres. Trainer: David Hayes.

1995 Doriemus (NZ) – 5YOh, barrier 21

9th – Group 2 Memsie Stakes: 58.5kg (1400m WFA at Caulfield) – Brett Prebble
8th – Group 1 Underwood Stakes: 59kg (1800m WFA at Caulfield) – Greg Hall
2nd – Group 2 Turnbull Stakes: 56kg (2000m SWP at Flemington) – Danny Nikolic
1st – Group 1 Caulfield Cup: 52kg (2400m hcp at Caulfield) – Damien Oliver
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 54.5kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) Damien Oliver

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 7,600 metres. Trainer: Lee Freedman.

1996 Saintly (AUS) – 4YOg, barrier 3

2nd – Group 2 Warwick Stakes: 57kg (1400m WFA at Warwick Farm) – Darren Beadman
2nd – Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes: 57kg (1600m WFA at Randwick) – Darren Beadman
1st – Group 2 Hill Stakes: 57kg (1900m WFA at Rosehill) – Darren Beadman
2nd – Group 2 Craven Plate: 57kg (2000m WFA at Randwick) – Darren Beadman
3rd – Group 1 The Metropilitan: 54.5kg (2600m SWP at Randwick) – Darren Beadman
1st – Group 1 Cox Plate: 57kg (2040m WFA at Moonee Valley) – Darren Beadman
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 55.5kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Darren Beadman

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 11,540 metres. Trainer: Bart Cummings.

1997 Might And Power (NZ) – 4YOh, barrier 2

1st – Listed Show County Stakes: 53kg (1200m hcp at Warwick Farm) – Brian York
2nd – Group 3 Tramway Stakes: 54.5kg (1400m hcp at Randwick) – Brian York
2nd – Group 3 Shannon Stakes: 55.5kg (1500m hcp at Rosehill) – Brian York
8th – Group 1 Epsom Handicap: 54kg (1600m hcp at Randwick) – Brian York
1st – Group 1 Caulfield Cup: 52.5kg (2400m hcp at Caulfield) – Jim Cassidy
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 56kg (3200n hcp Flemington) – Jim Cassidy

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 8,100 metres. Trainer: Jack Denham.

1998 Jezabeel (NZ) – 6YO mare, barrier 16

9th – Open Handicap: 59.5kg (1400m hcp at Caulfield) – Lucas Dawson
3rd – Open Handicap: 55.5kg (1800m hcp at Flemington) – Lucas Dawson
2nd – Group 1 Underwood Stakes: 55.5kg (1800m WFA at Caulfield) – Lucas Dawson
6th – Group 2 Turnbull Stakes: 55kg (2000m SWP at Flemington) – Lucas Dawson
6th – Group 1 Yalumba (Caulfield) Stakes: 55.5kg (2000m WFA at Caulfield) – Chris Munce
6th – Group 1 Caulfield Cup: 51kg (2400m hcp at Caulfield) – Chris Munce
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 51kg (3200m hcp at Flem) – Chris Munce

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 11,400 metres. Trainer: Brian Jenkins.

1999 Rogan Josh (AUS) – 7YOg, barrier 21

7th – Listed Auries Star Handicap: 56.5kg (1200m hcp at Flemington) – Brett Prebble
5th – Group 2 Feehan Stakes: 58kg (1600m WFA at Moonee Valley) – Patrick Payne
7th – Listed J.R.A Cup: 55kg (2040m hcp at Moonee Valley) – Patrick Payne
1st – Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes: 53kg (2400m hcp at Caulfield) – Darren Gauci
4th – Group 1 Caulfield Cup: 51.5kg (2400m hcp at Caulfield) – Chris Munce
1st – Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes: 58kg (2000m WFA at Flemington) – John Marshall
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 50kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – John Marshall

Total Metres Run Before Cup win: 11,640 metres. Trainer: Bart Cummings.

2000 Brew (NZ) – 6YOg, barrier 22

10th – Listed Heatherlie Stakes: 56.5kg (1700m hcp at Caulfield) – Kerrin McEvoy
11th – Listed Naturalism Stakes: 54kg (2000m Qlty hcp at Caulfield) – Steven King
1st – Listed Japan Trophy: 54kg (2559m Qlty hcp at Flemington) – Darren Beadman
2nd – Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup: 55kg (2500m SWP at Moonee Valley) – Brett Prebble
1st – Group 2 Saab Quality: 56.5kg (2500m Qlty hcp at Flemington) – Chris Munce
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 49.5kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Kerrin McEvoy

Total Metres Run Prior to Cup Win: 11,259 metres. Trainer: Mike Moroney.

2001 Ethereal (NZ) – 4YO mare, barrier 11

3rd – Fillies and Mares Handicap: 55kg (1400m hcp at Pukekohe) – Scott Seamer
3rd – Listed Matamata Cup: 53.5kg (1600m hcp at Matamata) – Scott Seamer
3rd – Group 1 Caulfield Stakes: 54.5kg (2000m WFA at Caulfield) – Scott Seamer
1st – Group 1 Caulfield Cup: 50kg (2400m hcp at Caulfield) – Scott Seamer
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 52kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Scott Seamer

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 7,400 metres. Trainer: Shelia Laxon.

2002 Media Puzzle (USA) – 5YOg, barrier 3

3rd – September Handicap (Open Handicap): 59kg (3200m hcp at Curragh) – Pat Smullen
1st – Group 3 Geelong Cup: 55kg (2400m hcp at Geelong) – Damien Oliver
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 52.5kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Damien Oliver

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 5,600 metres. Trainer: Dermot Weld.

2003 Makybe Diva (GB) – 5YO mare, barrier 14

4th – Open Handicap: 58.5kg (1400m hcp at Caulfield) – Luke Currie
4th – Group 3 Stocks Stakes: 55.5kg (1600m WFA at Moonee Valley) – Steven Arnold
4th – Group 2 Turnbull Stakes: 56.5kg (2000m SWP at Flemington) – Luke Currie
4th – Group 1 Caulfield Cup: 51.5kg (2400m hcp at Caulfield) – Glen Boss
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 51kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Glen Boss

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 7,400 metres. Trainer: David Hall.

2004 Makybe Diva (GB) – 6YO mare, barrier 7

4th – Group 2 Memsie Stakes: 55.5kg (1400m WFA at Caulfield) – Luke Currie
2nd – Group 2 Feehan Stakes: 55.5kg (1600m WFA at Moonee Valley) – Luke Currie
7th – Group 2 Turnbull Stakes: 56.5kg (2000m SWP at Flemington) – Damien Oliver
2nd – Group 2 Caulfield Cup: 55.5kg (2400m hcp at Caulfield) – Glen Boss
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 55.5kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Glen Boss

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 7,400 metres. Trainer: Lee Freedman

2005 Makybe Diva (GB) – 7YO mare, barrier 14

1st – Group 2 Memsie Stakes: 55.5kg (1400m WFA at Caulfield) – Glen Boss
2nd – Group 2 Feehan Stakes: 55.5kg (1600m WFA at Moonee Valley) – Glen Boss
1st – Group 2 Turnbull Stakes: 56.5kg (2000m SWP at Flemington) – Glen Boss
1st – Group 1 Cox Plate: 55.5kg (2040m WFA at Moonee Valley) – Glen Boss
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 58kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Glen Boss

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 7,040 metres. Trainer: Lee Freedman

2006 Delta Blues (JPN) – 5YOh, barrier 10

3rd – Group 1 Caulfield Cup: 56kg (2400m hcp at Caulfield) – Nash Rawiller
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 56kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Yasunari Iwata

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 2,400 metres. Trainer: Katsuhiko Sumii.

2007 Efficient (NZ) – 4YOg, barrier 9

10th – Group 2 Memsie Stakes: 58.5kg (1400m WFA at Caulfield) – Steven Arnold
4th – Group 2 Feehan Stakes: 58.5kg (1600m WFA at Moonee Valley) – Steven Arnold
11th – Group 2 Turnbull Stakes: 56.5kg (2000m SWP at Flemington) – Steven Arnold
9th – Group 1 Cox Plate: 57.5kg (2040m WFA at Moonee Valley) – Steven Arnold
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 54.5kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Michael Rodd

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 7,040 metres. Trainer: Graeme Rogerson (Team Williams).

2008 Viewed (AUS) – 6YOh, barrier 8

8th – Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes: 58kg (1400m hcp at Flem) Michael Rodd
7th – Group 1 Underwood Stakes: 59kg (1800m WFA at Caulfield) – Damien Oliver
10th – Group 1 Caulfield Cup: 54.5kg (2400m hcp at Caulfield) – Blake Shinn
11th – Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes: 58kg (2000m WFA at Flemington) – Blake Shinn
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 53kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Blake Shinn

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 7,800 metres. Trainer: Bart Cummings.

2009 Shocking (AUS) – 4YOh, barrier 21

6th – Open Handicap: 55kg (1400m hcp at Caulfield) – Steven King
9th – Open Handicap: 55kg (1500m hcp at Moonee Valley) – Steven King
3rd – Listed J.R.A Cup: 53kg (2040m Qlty hcp at Moonee Valley) – Steven King
2nd – Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes: 52kg (2400m hcp at Caulfield) – Corey Brown
2nd – Group 3 Coongy Handicap: 53.5kg (2000m hcp at Caulfield) – Corey Brown
1st – Group 3 Lexus Stakes: 53.5kg (2500m Qlty hcp at Flemington) – Michael Rodd
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 51kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Corey Brown

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 11,840 metres. Trainer: Mark Kavanagh.

2010 Americain (USA) – 6YOh, barrier 11

1st – Group 2 Prix De Kergorlay Stakes: 59kg (3000m SW at Deauville) – Gerald Mosse
1st – Group 3 Geelong Cup: 58kg (2406m hcp at Geelong) – Gerald Mosse
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 54.5kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Gerald Mosse

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 5,400 metres: Trainer: Alain De Royer Dupre.

2011 Dunaden (FRA) – 6YOh, barrier 13

9th – Group 2 Prix De Kergorlay Stakes: 59kg (3000m SW at D’ville) – Johnny Murtagh
1st – Group 3 Geelong Cup: 58kg (2400m hcp at Geelong) – Craig Williams
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 54.5kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Christophe Lemaire

Total Metres Run before Cup Win: 5,400 metres. Trainer: Mikel Delzangles.

2012 Green Moon (IRE) – 6YOh, barrier 5

5th – Group 2 Memsie Stakes: 59kg (1400m WFA at Caulfield) – Craig Williams
2nd – Group 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes: 59kg (1600m WFA at Moonee Valley) – Craig Williams
1st – Group 1 Turnbull Stakes: 55.5kg (2000m SWP at Flemington) – Craig Williams
7th – Group 1 Cox Plate: 59kg (2040m WFA at Moonee Valley) – Craig Williams
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 54.5kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Brett Prebble

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 7040m. Trainer: Robert Hickmott (Team Williams)

2013 Fiorente (IRE) – 6YOh, barrier 5

6th – Group 2 Memsie Stakes: 59kg (1400m WFA at Caulfield) – Nash Rawiller
1st – Group 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes: 59kg (1600m WFA at MV) – Nash Rawiller
4th – Group 1 Turnbull Stakes: 56.5kg (2000m SWP at Flemington) – Nash Rawiller
3rd – Group 1 Cox Plate: 59kg (2040m WFA at Moonee Valley) – Damien Oliver
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 55.5kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Damien Oliver

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 7040m. Trainer: Gai Waterhouse

2014 Protectionst (GER) – 5YOh, barrier 10

1st – Group 2 Prix Kergolay: 60kg (3000m SW at Deauville) – Edward Pedroza
4th – Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes: 59kg (2400m hcp at Caulfield) – Craig Williams
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 56.6kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Ryan Moore

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 5,400m. Trainer: Andrea Wohler

2015 Prince Of Penzance (NZ) – 6YOg, barrier 1

8th – Group 1 Memsie Stakes: 59kg (1400m WFA at Caulfield) – Michelle Payne
10th – Open handicap: 62kg (1600m hcp at Ballarat) – Michelle Payne
5th – Group 3 J.R.A Cup: 58.5kg (2040m hcp at Moonee Valley) – Michelle Payne
8th – Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes: 59kg (2400m hcp at Caulfield) – Michelle Payne
2nd – Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup: 57kg (2500m SWP at Moonee Valley) – Michelle Payne
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 53kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Michelle Payne

Total Metres Run Before Cup win: 9,940 metres. Trainer: Darren Weir.

2016 Almandin (GER) – 7YOg, barrier 17

6th – Open handicap: 60kg (2000m hcp at Caulfield) – Katelyn Mallyon
5th – Open handicap: 58.5kg (2040m hcp at Moonee Valley) – Steven Arnold
1st – Listed Harry White Classic: 55kg (2400m hcp at Caulfield) – Damien Oliver
1st – Group 3 The Bart Cummings: 55kg (2500m hcp at Flemington) – Damien Oliver
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 52kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Kerrin McEvoy

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 8,940 metres. Trainer: Robert Hickmott (Team Williams).

2017 Rekindling (GER) – 3YOh, barrier 4

2nd – Group 3 St Leger Trial S: 58.5kg (2816m WFA at The Curragh) – Donnacha O’Brien
4th – Group 1 Irish St Leger: 57.5kg (2921m WFA at Doncaster) – Donnacha O’Brien
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 51.5kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Corey Brown

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 5,737 metres. Trainer: Joseph O’Brien

2018 Cross Counter (GB) – 3YOh, barrier 19

1st – Group 3 Gordon Stakes: 57.5kg (2414m Hcp at Goodwood) – William Buick
2nd – Group 2 Voltigeur Stakes: 57kg (2400m Hcp at York) – William Buick
1st – Group 1 Melbourne Cup: 51kg (3200m hcp at Flemington) – Kerrin McEvoy

Total Metres Run Before Cup Win: 4,814 metres. Trainer: Charles Appleby

LEGEND

WFA: Weight-For-Age
Hcp: Handicap
Qlty: Quality
SWP: Set-Weights-With-Penalites
F&M: Fillies & Mares
h: horse (male entire)
g: gelding

Acknowledgement

I wish to thank Thoroughbred Village member, Jamal, for providing the above Melbourne Cup lead-up form data.

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Category: Melbourne Cup, Punting Advice