Melbourne Cup betting

MELBOURNE CUP GREYHOUNDS

The Melbourne Cup, a cornerstone of Australian greyhound racing, carries a rich legacy that began in 1933 at Napier Park. Initially contested over 400 yards, the event has since evolved into the sport’s most prestigious race, now held annually at Sandown Park over the 515 metre trip.

From its humble beginnings with a £500 purse to becoming the world’s richest greyhound race in 2012, the Cup boasts a storied history of growth, glamour, and iconic winners.

Today, the Melbourne Cup remains the pinnacle of achievement for trainers, owners, and greyhounds alike, symbolising excellence and tradition in Australian greyhound racing, with a $500,000 cheque for the winner.

The 2024 edition was won by Explicit for leading trainer Jason Thompson.


Melbourne Cup greyhounds details


Melbourne Cup news

Here is the latest Melbourne Cup news ahead of the 2025 edition of the race:

Explicit wins The Phoenix
Relive the top 10 moments of Australian greyhound racing in 2024, from record-breaking wins to career-defining triumphs ...
Melbourne Cup turnover for 2024 almost breaks high
The Melbourne Cup has been declared a stunning success, with the Sandown feature recording the third highest turnover ever of ...
Hobart Thousand Betting
The Hobart Thousand is the oldest greyhound race in Australia; learn about the history of this prestigious event held every ...
Explicit wins the 2024 Melbourne Cup at Sandown
Explicit wins the 2024 Melbourne Cup at Sandown Park in 29.29 seconds on November 30, earning $500,000 and sealing his ...
Sandown Park Greyhound News
Sandown Gryehound Club will host the Group 1 Melbourne Cup and Bold Trease Final on November 30, 2024. See the ...
Melbourne Cup greyhounds statistics and history
After an incredible night of Melbourne Cup heats, the field is set for Saturday, November 30 for the Group 1 ...
Sandown Park Greyhound News
Sandown Gryehound Club will host the Melbourne Cup heats and Bold Trease heats on November 23, 2024. See the Saturday ...
Mark Delbridge with Yachi Bale
Yachi Bale, 2022 Melbourne Cup champion, retires from greyhound racing after a stellar career with 20 wins and $844,000 in ...
Melbourne Cup greyhounds statistics and history
Explore the 2024 Melbourne Cup heats at Sandown Park, with top contenders, box draws, and the latest odds from leading ...
Aussie Rocks and connections celebrate winning the 2023 Melbourne Cup
Aussie Rocks has stunned a stellar Melbourne Cup field to salute in the $1,008,000 Group 1 at Sandown Park on ...

Melbourne Cup tips

Here is the latest Melbourne Cup tips from our expert form analysts:

Saturday's Greyhound Racing Tips
Find top greyhound racing tips for November 30, 2024, including best bets and previews for all tracks across Australia. Perfect ...
Sandown Greyhound Tips
Get the inside scoop on the upcoming Sandown Greyhound Racing event with our expert tips for Melbourne Cup Night 2024 ...
Melbourne Cup greyhounds statistics and history
The Group 1 2024 Melbourne Cup is set for Saturday, November 30 at Sandown. See the free leading runner-by-runner greyhound ...
Saturday's Greyhound Racing Tips
Discover free greyhound tips for Nov 23, 2024, including the Melbourne Cup heats at Sandown and best bets across top ...

Melbourne Cup odds 2025


Currently no odds are out for the 2025 Melbourne Cup


Melbourne Cup greyhounds field 2025

The 2025 Melbourne Cup field will not be announced until the heats have been run in November, 2025.


Melbourne Cup greyhounds betting sites

Only the best of the best compete in the Melbourne Cup series, making it one of the most anticipated races for enthusiasts and punters.

Naturally, a high-class line-up attracts plenty of betting interest as it showcases the best sprinting talent greyhound racing has to offer – proven, explosive chasers doing what they do best.

With all of the focus on the race, betting pools are usually bigger, which in turn results in a more lucrative winning dividend if you are skilful enough to pick the winner.

Leading greyhound bookmakers know how popular the Melbourne Cup is and many of them now offer all-in markets for the winner of the final in the weeks leading up to the heats. These prices often offer plenty of value.

Additionally, there are also fixed odds prices for both the heats and final once the fields and box draws have been drawn – giving punters the chance to shop around and find the top odds about their selected competitor.

United States Melbourne Cup Bookmakers

Melbourne Cup Bookmakers

Melbourne Cup history

Aston Dee Bee before his Melbourne Cup win. PIC: Paul Munt.

The Melbourne Cup was first held in 1956 and staged as a handicap when won by Rocketeer (Rocket Jet x Whispering Lass Jan ’55) who collected £500 for his connections. It was run as a handicap race until 1964 when Rocket Streak (Chief Zephyr x Rocket Sue Oct ’62) scored a big victory from box one.

The first bitch to win the race was Saskagay (Sunview x Byam Rose Sep ’60), which won the 1962 edition over 565 yards in 30.80 – collecting £2,000.

The 1974 race was a rags to riches story, with the New Zealand-bred Kwik Metal (Gabriel Mist x Metal Joy Sep ’72) saluting after being purchased as a puppy for just $30.

In 1986 the race was reduced to 511m (having been run over 513m since 1973) following the reconstruction of Sandown Park. It only stayed at this distance for nine years, being run at 515m (the current distance) for the first time in 1995.

The first prize money, which had increased periodically since the inauguration of the race, hit $100,000 for the first time in 1996. Two years later, the race was taken out by one of the best greyhounds the sport has seen, Rapid Journey (Amerigo Magic x Miss Courtney May ’95), which added the race to his impressive CV including the Adelaide Cup, the Perth Cup, the Golden Easter Egg, the National Sprint Championship and the Topgun.

In 1999, now-disgraced trainer Graeme Bate prepared his third winner of the Melbourne Cup when Kantarn Bale (Light Of Fire x Jindara Bale Feb ’98) defeated two of his kennel mates to give Bate the trifecta.

In 2004 prize money grew to $150,000. In 2005 Closing Argument (Exceptional x Maddy Shiraz Nov ’03) defeated Bonshaw Boy (Bob’s One x Major Break Jun ’03) to give trainer Cameron Taylor the quinella.

Betty’s Angel (Brett Lee x Leprechaun Yap Nov ’04) defeated her litter sister Miss Mini Mouse in the 2006 final, setting a new 29.51 race record in the process and completing the Sapphire Crown – Melbourne Cup double.

The most controversial running was in 2008 when Surgeon (Primo Uno x Bella’s Angel Apr ’05) was allowed to start in the race despite many believing he had eased when winning his heat the week prior. His naughty antics were on display in the feature final, marring Hanify’s Impact (Collision x Miss Hanify May ’06) across the line en route to giving Darren McDonald his third Melbourne Cup win in five years.

El Grand Senor (Where’s Pedro x Elgrando Gold Apr ’08) won the 2010 Melbourne Cup – collecting his third group 1 trophy. The hatrick of wins at the highest level would later earn him Sandown Greyhound of the Year, Victorian Greyhound of the Year and Australian Greyhound of the Year titles.

Leading trainer Andrea Dailly won her first Melbourne Cup in 2011 when Dyna Tron (Collision x Gold Rush Bale Feb ’09) saluted. He was one of four finalists for Dailly and one of seven finalists for leviathan owner/breeder Paul Wheeler. The same year prize money was increased to $350,000 to the winner.

Jason Thompson scored back to back wins in the Melbourne Cup in 2012-2013. Got A Moment (Collision x Splitting Hairs Feb ’10) took out the race in 2012 when recording a slick 29.37, followed by Black Magic Opal (Magic Sprite x Awesome Opal May ’11) which took out the next edition in identical time.

In 2021, Hard Style Rico stunned the greyhound racing world by breaking the track record in the Melbourne Cup final, with the Lucky Karabitsakos-trained chaser running the 515m journey in 28.91, which was the first time the 29 second mark had been broken in a final.

The Melbourne Cup series and final is still a thriving part of the greyhound betting scene, with other races held at similar times including the Bold Trease and the Young Star.

Ando’c Mac strides clear to win the 2016 Group 1 Melbourne Cup. PIC: AGRA.


Melbourne Cup – the recent years


Group 1 Melbourne Cup Honour Roll

Year Winner Trainer Distance Box Margin Time Runner-Up Third
1966 Cheltenham Lass P. Hogan 555y 7 4L 30 10/16 Fawn Nulla Thunder Lane
1967 Swan Opal N. Ballinger 555y 7 3L 30 9/16 Dollar Hunter Jumbo Fawn
1968 Mr Spot T. Rowlings 555y 1 6L 30 9/16 Wentwood Miss Rajah
1969 Milimsimbi S. Cleverly 555y 8 2L 30 7/16 Benjamin John Noelybo
1970 Chris Dandy A. Kay 555y 6 Neck 31 1/16 Grand Sapper Pagan Rate
1971 Gerard The Gent H. Siakew 555y 8 3L 30 7/16 Shapely Escort Lizrene
1972 Gold Grotto E. Tucker 555y 1 3L 30.60sec Benny McGrath Half Your Luck
1973 New Mariner R. Jennings 513m 1 7L 31.49sec Half Your Luck Just A Scamp
1974 Kwik Metal C. Abbott 513m 1 2L 31.02sec Miss Alliance Flash Gordon
1975 Dynamic Dean S. Reed 513m 3 8-1/2L 31.32sec Lady Colice Nigger Chimes
1976 Carrington Jade K. Murphy 513m 2 7L 30.70sec Briel Lass Clover Duke
1977 Milepost T. Collins 513m 1 1/2L 30.94sec Mandaquita Satan’s Legend
1978 Tangaloa J. Hili 513m 1 2L 30.97sec Riviera Tiger Rubin Caine
1979 Acclaim Star B. Fletcher 513m 2 1-1/2L 30.50sec Big Pinch White Panther
1980 Black Aztec H. Sarkis 513m 8 1/4L 30.74sec Pancho Country Smooth Orator
1981 Satan’s Shroud G. Bate 513m 7 2-1/4L 30.88sec Royal Rumpus Chief Enda
1982 Kid Scandal A. Garratt 513m 1 1/2L 30.70sec Mystic Gleam Peter Glider
1983 Lady Lilly C. Kelly 513m 7 3/4L 30.86sec Winifred Bale Mexican Shuffle
1984 Rustic Venture P. Denaro 513m 1 1/2L 30.92sec Eaglehawk Star Proud Paul
1985 Sydney Dingaan N. Bryant 513m 3 3-1/2L 30.44sec Shining Chariot Wanton Chief
1986 Legendary Kid J. Coleman 511m 6 2-1/2L 30.62sec Pacific Segull Swift Laser
1987 Speedy Mick J. Schroeders 511m 3 3L 30.52sec Buka Sunset Crotty Kid
1988 Hua R. Symes 511m 7 2L 30.01sec Disco Dishlicka Indiana
1989 Fair Sentence G. Bate 511m 1 3L 30.19sec The Earbrander Gay Rajah
1990 Highly Blessed L. Ferremi 511m 5 7L 30.53sec Singalong Black Pirate
1991 Fox Hunt P. Jovanovic 511m 2 9.00L 30.50sec New Wish Lively Monarch
1992 Master Giant P. Akathiotis 511m 2 1.00L 30.30sec Dallas Duo True To Do
1993 Silver Chisel J. Fleming 511m 4 3.00L 30.25sec Keystone Conquering Wind
1994 Light Of Fire J. Thompson 511m 3 0.50L 30.05sec Zippity Magic New Fox
1995 City Blitz P. Giles 511m 3 0.10L 30.06sec Tenthill Doll Honcho Whiz
1996 Henry Hand D. Dean 515m 2 1.00L 29.86sec Sobbing Sal Hanson Diamond
1997 Roanokee R. Green 515m 4 0.50L 29.96sec Lansley Bale World Title
1998 Rapid Journey J. Carruthers 515m 6 3.00L 29.91sec Billy Cruise Cerin Bale
1999 Kantarn Bale G. Bate 515m 8 4.50L 29.73sec Devon Road Flying Law
2000 Go Wild Teddy M. Bell 515m 4 2.00L 29.73sec Classic Capri Dutchy’s Angel
2001 Classic Capri J. Hayley 515m 5 5.00L 29.65sec Coulta Bandit Hotshow Vintage
2002 Excite Ability L. Poore 515m 1 2.50L 29.77sec Elgrando Mint Mojo
2003 Bombastic Shiraz D. Cairns 515m 1 1.75L 29.82sec Bounty Lass Spring Secret
2004 Hallucinate D. McDonald 515m 1 2.25L 29.73sec Born Yesterday Ceejay’s Vixen
2005 Closing Argument C. Taylor 515m 1 0.75L 29.94sec Bonshaw Boy See You Later
2006 Betty’s Angel P. Bartolo 515m 4 5.50L 29.51sec Miss Mini Mouse Ryght Way
2007 Shanlyn Prince D. McDonald 515m 6 4.50L 29.60sec Slater All Caution
2008 Surgeon D. McDonald 515m 8 0.50L 29.87sec Hanify’s Impact Nitro Burst
2009 Lord Ducal J. Roberts 515m 7 2.50L 29.53sec Dyna Lachlan Mr. Moorooduc
2010 El Grand Senor C. Jones 515m 2 6.25L 29.55sec Symmetry Dee Winter
2011 Dyna Tron A. Dailly 515m 7 2.75L 29.21sec Shereen Bale Allen Elroy
2012 Got A Moment J. Thompson 515m 2 0.25L 29.37sec Glen Gallon Hurunui Hitman
2013 Black Magic Opal J. Thompson 515m 2 2.43L 29.37sec Dyna Beth Hawk Alone
2014 Dyna Villa J. Hunt 515m 8 1.95L 29.36sec Chica Destacada Keybow
2015 Dyna Double One A. Dailly 515m 2 0.46L 29.17sec Fernando Bale Black Illusion
2016 Ando’s Mac J. Mackay 515m 5 0.26L 29.48sec Jesaulenko Worm Burner
2017 Aston Dee Bee S. Thompson 515m 1 3.71L 29.36sec Chasin’ Crackers Kouta Mayhem
2018 My Redeemer D. Geall 515m 1 4.33L 29.38sec Black Opium She’s Gifted
2019 Whiskey Riot A. Azzopardi 515m 3 0.09L 29.44sec Western Envoy Hooked On Scotch
2020 Hard Style Rico L. Karabitsakos 515m 5 5.50L 28.91sec Simon Told Helen Tommy Shelby
2021 Koblenz D. Geall 515m 3 0.96L 29.40sec Lala Kiwi Kinson Bale
2022 Yachi Bale M. Delbridge 515m 4 0.39L 29.21sec Fernando Mick Plaintiff
2023 Aussie Rocks G. Mitchell 515m 5 0.50L 29.55sec Big Energy Mac’s Damage
2024 Explicit J. Thompson 515m 6 8.00L 29.29sec Joey The Jet Miss Envy