2023 Group 1 Melbourne Cup runner-by-runner analysis and tips at Flemington

The 2023 edition of the Melbourne Cup looks to be a strong renewal with reigning champion Gold Trip set to line up against the likes of Caulfield Cup winner Without A Fight and Vauban.

Here is our runner-by-runner guide of every horse set to face the starter.

1 – GOLD TRIP (FR)

Last year's Cup winner and only up 1kg for the win. Has shown he's back as good as ever with a brilliant Turnbull Stakes win and a brave third in the Caulfield Cup. Lost no caste when fifth in the Cox Plate last start and every chance he could go back-to-back with James McDonald taking over.

Trainer Ciaron Maher is "very confident" that Gold Trip will be hard to beat in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup ???? pic.twitter.com/judzOWVhzH

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) November 4, 2023

2 – ALENQUER (FR)

Had done little in three local starts before noted improvement when fifth in the Might And Power behind Alligator Blood. Followed with midfield effort in the Moonee Valley Cup when never had the clearest of runs. His form looks below what's needed but will have the crowd cheering as the last ever Melbourne Cup ride for Damien Oliver.

3 – WITHOUT A FIGHT (IRE)

Failed in the Cup last year but the soft track was against him. Has been in great form since winning twice in Brisbane during the winter then, after a clean out run in the Turnbull he proved too strong in Caulfield Cup. Cops a 1kg penalty but with last year's Melbourne Cup winning rider aboard he's a massive chance.

Without A Fight & Mark Zahra completing his gallop at Mornington this morning ahead of next Tuesdays Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).

He has bounced through his Caulfield Cup win and worked nicely today. pic.twitter.com/WoNBqxtKj7

— Anthony Freedman Racing (@FreedmanRacing) October 31, 2023

4 – BREAKUP (JPN)

Solid Japanese form and was well in the market at $10 when beaten just under six lengths finishing 8th in the Caulfield Cup. Appeared to have his chance on that occasion but better for the local experience and warrants respect having been close up in two starts in this distance range back home.

5 – VAUBAN (FR)

Versatile galloper adept over the hurdles as well as the flat and deserved favourite. He was brilliant winning at Royal Ascot by 7½ lengths over 2816m then beat Valiant King under WFA conditions at Group 3 level giving him 4.5kg over 2414m at Naas. Races on the speed and he's a tough competitor proven by carrying up to 75.5kg in jumps assignments.

Vauban's trainer Willie Mullins is confident in the Melbourne Cup favourite ahead of the great race ????

FIELD, BARRIER DRAW: https://t.co/6ym9j2dVp7pic.twitter.com/zMx7tZ0ahg

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) November 4, 2023

6 – SOULCOMBE (GB)

Brilliant winner of the Queen's Cup over 2600m at Flemington this time last year and certainly has the ability to win but has an awful habit of missing the start. Slow out by six lengths in the Caulfield Cup before a great run 7th beaten 5½ lengths. His form this time around has been outstanding and gets the ‘magic man' Joao Moreira aboard. He's a massive chance.

7 – ABSURDE (FR)

Stablemate of favourite Vauban but has serious form recommendations himself coming off an impressive Ebor Handicap win at York to get him an automatic exemption into the field. Proved too tough under Frankie Dettori and drops in weight here. Superstar hoop Zac Purton takes over and he must be treated with respect.

8 – RIGHT YOU ARE

Won six of seven between December and April then spelled and has been thereabouts in most starts this time in training including solid 4¼ length fifth in the Caulfield Cup. He looks a query at 3200m but is as honest as the day is long and a soft run could see him sneak a place, especially with master distance rider John Allen aboard.

9 – VOW AND DECLARE

Melbourne Cup winner of 2019 back for his fourth crack after missing in 2021 and having the best part of a year off. Glimpse of his best when getting home strongly for second to Alligator Blood in WFA Might And Power then trapped wide throughout but fought on courageously for second in the Moonee Valley Cup. Eight-year-old but looks a sneaky chance.

Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare (inside) gallops ahead of the Moonee Valley Gold Cup on Friday night ???? pic.twitter.com/MYNMMIGVIl

— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) October 23, 2023

10 – CLEVELAND (IRE)

Peaking at the right time following a second in the St Leger at Randwick with a strong win in the Moonee Valley Cup. Gets proven Group 1 lightweight hoop Michael Dee to manage and this time last year he won the Victoria Derby and Caulfield Cup. This horse will go to sleep in the run and shapes as if he'll handle the 3200m. Don't dismiss him.

11 – ASHRUN (FR)

Remarkable story just to get to the race. He had the best part of three years off after midfield finish in the 2020 Melbourne Cup and only resumed in September. His three runs since have been good and down narrowly in the Geelong Cup with 56.5kg. Gets in with light weight and set to peak with three time Cup winning hoop steering. Place chance.

12 – DAQIANSWEET JUNIOR (NZ)

He goes into this race ready to peak and while he may not have the class of many there's no doubt about his capacity to handle the distance. Won the Adelaide Cup over 3200m last year when he powered through the line then third in the Sydney and kept on fighting when 6th in last year's Melbourne Cup. Rough first 4 chance.

13 – OKITA SOUSHI (IRE)

Lightly raced raider from Ireland who finished midfield in the Caulfield Cup when slowly away. His form back home included wins over 2400m at Ascot and Dundalk and he's in the right stable with Joseph O'Brien having won the Cup twice. Still, even allowing for the O'Brien factor he needs to improve dramatically.

14 – SHERAZ (FR)

Best performance since coming to Australia was a second to Knights Order in last year's Sydney Cup over this distance but he hasn't done much since to entice over. He was reasonable in the Moonee Valley Cup when beaten two lengths but still needs to take his game to another level against these.

15 – LASTOTCHKA (FR)

Lightly raced French mare having her first local start and a late nomination for the race but building a solid record with four wins from 12 starts and last time out she was strong through the line winning 3100m at Longchamp at Group 3 level. She goes into an astute stable and gets proven Cup winning jockey Craig Williams aboard. Definitely respecting.

16 – MAGICAL LAGOON (IRE)

Formerly raced in Europe winning in England and Ireland but hasn't done enough in five local starts. Latest though was an improved effort when only beaten a length sixth after leading in the Geelong Cup. Question whether she can make the necessary improvement to figure but seriously doubt it.

Gold Trip is hard in the market for the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Scott Barbour – Racing Photos

17 – MILITARY MISSION (IRE)

Here‘s one for those who like a grey, and he's trained by previous Cup winner Gai Waterhouse (and Adrian Bott). Won the Newcastle Cup three runs back and last start carried 57kg to win the Herbert Power. Drops 6kg this time around but place chances would appear best chance for him.

18 – SERPENTINE

Melbourne Cup winning combination with owners led by Lloyd Williams, trained by Gai Waterhouse (and Adrian Bott) and ridden by 2020 hero Jye McNeil. Won the Epsom Derby in 2020 and arrived down under mid last year finishing 20th in the Cup. Form this time around has been solid and third in the Bart Cummings. Down 7kg and hardly the roughest.

19 – VIRTUOUS CIRCLE

He was outstanding in the Australian Derby in the autumn finishing second but four runs this time in have been less than you'd hope for. Was reasonable in the Bart Cumminsg two runs back when midfield then well backed in the Geelong Cup but never likely. Probably needs a wet track to have any chance of sneaking into the money.

20 – MORE FELONS (IRE)

Came from England with some solid form recommendations including 3¼ length 8th in the Ebor at York behind Absurde and meets that horse 3kg better here. Raced wide throughout on that occasion and plenty of merit in the run. First local start and hit the line strongly for 5th in the Geelong Cup, beaten a half length. Not the roughest by any means.

21 – FUTURE HISTORY

Won his way into the race with a ‘golden ticket' via the Bart Cummings when he led throughout. That 2500m win was his first run out to a staying trip and he fought bravely then backed it up coming from off the speed for a close third in the Moonee Valley Cup. One new owner bought a 10% share for $205,000 before that and he's not the roughest by any means.

22 – INTERPRETATION (IRE)

Failed to finish in last year‘s Cup but has been ticking over nicely this preparation. Decent effort when 9th in the Bart Cummings and won his way into this year's race with a narrow win in Wednesday's Bendigo Cup. Not the roughest at big odds but realistically place chance does appear best.

23 – KALAPOUR (IRE)

Consistent galloper who has been in the placings his past couple of runs in Sydney in the Metropolitan and St Leger and has won out to 2551m in the past. He's honest but all the same probably lacks the class to figure in the finish at this level and he's never raced beyond 2600m so question his stamina at the end of 3200m.

24 – TRUE MARVEL (FR)

Looked set to cause the upset of the year when he dashed away at $151 in the Sydney Cup only to be run down late. Then won a 3200m maiden hurdle at Hamilton two runs later and third in the Brisbane Cup. Has been building up for this distance and he'll certainly stay but lacks the class necessary to pick up a big cheque.