Melbourne Cup

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

Melbourne Cup betting will open well in advance of the 2024 race, which is yet to have a date confirmed. The 2023 edition of the $1m feature was won by Aussie Rocks, who upset a strong field for trainer Geoff Mitchell. Our Melbourne Cup betting guide will run you through all aspects of the Sandown feature, including the final field, Melbourne Cup odds analysis, Melbourne Cup news and tips and the past results.


Melbourne Cup news

Here is the latest Melbourne Cup news ahead of the 2023 edition of the race:

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 ...
Aussie Rocks surges to Melbourne Cup final for Geoff Mitchell
Discover the incredible journey of Aussie Rocks, trained by retired bricklayer Geoff Mitchell, after he secured a spot in the ...
Tim Zoo's journey from underdog to Melbourne Cup contender
Discover how Tim Zoo went from a surprisingly fast maiden win to challenging for the prestigious Group 1 Melbourne Cup ...
Big Energy heads the betting, with bookmakers odds pricing him as short as $1.80.
2023 Sandown Shootout winner, Big Energy, stole the show at Sandown Park on Saturday night during the $1.008 million Group ...
2023 Dream Chaser Festival launched in Victoria
The anticipated return of the Victorian Dream Chasers Festival, a greyhound racing series that first premiered in 2022, is just ...
The Meadows R07 | 29072023 | Palawa King
Palawa King served up a huge performance to win at The Meadows on Saturday in a race with loads of ...
Postman Pat greyhound racing news
Postman Pat returned to the track and delivered again with a blistering performance to win at Sandown on Thursday night ...
Victa Damian salutes in Howard Ashton
All eyes were on Victa Damian in the Group Three Howard Ashton Final on Thursday night. After equalling the Angle ...
Amron Boy
“Tonight the boy becomes a man” The call rang out over Sandown Park as classy chaser Amron Boy took out ...
Top trainer David Geall hits back at greyhound racing detractors
Last month’s Australian Cup-winning trainer with Fernando Mick, David Geall, has time for everyone – except the greyhound racing detractors ...

Melbourne Cup tips

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

The Meadows betting tips
The Meadows is set for a massive night of racing with The Phoenix set to headline the meeting. See the ...
The Meadows betting preview, best bets & odds | Saturday 20/5/23
The Meadows are set to host 12 races on Saturday night from 6:24PM local time. See the top greyhound tips, ...
Wentworth Park tips - March 16 2024
Massive Friday night of racing is set for Wentworth Park on January 13. ARG brings you the betting preview & ...
Sandown greyhound tips Melbourne Cup heats night Saturday Nov 19 2022
All eyes are on Sandown greyhounds tonight with the heats of the Group 1 Melbourne Cup and the Group 1 ...
Wentworth Park tips for March 16
The start of the big Easter program kicks off on Wednesday night with five heats of the Group 3 Ladbrokes ...
Greyhound racing melbourne cup
Australian Racing Greyhound and the "Secret Ratings" service are proud to be able to release the full 2018 Melbourne Cup ...
Sandown
THE Group 1 Melbourne Cup is like Christmas for greyhound racing fanatics. This year's race will see an even spread ...
Ando's Mac
THE biggest race on the greyhound racing calendar is a little over a week away and the action is set ...
Ando's Mac
Race No. 8Endeavour Locksmiths Warragul Cup8:12 PM (VIC time)S/E Group 2 event over 460 metres at Warragul Of $67,000 Prizemoney ...
Greyhound Tips
Can Thirty Talks (box three above) claim his second group 1 in the Silver Chief Classic?THIRTY Talks is the favourite ...

Melbourne Cup odds 2023

The 2023 Melbourne Cup odds have been set, with Big Energy the bookmaker’s favourite. The 2023 Melbourne Cup odds look like this:

Greyhound Win Odds Place Odds
Big Energy $1.90 $1.11
Buddy Monelli $4.80 $1.48
Tim Zoo $4.80 $1.48
Navarino (2nd res) $10 $2.13
Fabs Vegetable $13 $2.50
Mac’s Damage $15 $2.75
Aussie Rocks $16.00 $2.88
Idolize $16.00 $2.88
Make No Promise $16.00 $2.88
Dundee Rebel (1st Res) $16.00 $2.88

Melbourne Cup greyhounds field 2023

The 2023 Melbourne Cup greyhounds field has been released and is available right here:

Odds correct at time of publication


What is the Melbourne Cup for greyhounds?

The Melbourne Cup is a group 1 greyhound race which is run over 515m at Sandown Park in November each year.

It is often regarded as the biggest event on the greyhound calendar, with its $420,000 winner’s cheque making it the richest greyhound race in the world.

The series consists of heats and a final, with the best 64 greyhounds contesting the qualifiers and the winners progressing through to the decider.

The most recent edition of the Melbourne Cup was taken out by Aston Dee Bee for owner Ray Borda and trainer Seona Thompson.

Get free bets to place on this year’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup exclusive to readers of Australian Racing Greyhound.


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.

Melbourne Cup – the recent years

  • After taking out the Melbourne Cup the year before with Dyna Villa, owner Paul Wheeler once again combined with Andrea Dailly for the win, which was an upset result as Dyna Double One (Barcia Bale x Crystin Bale Apr ’13) ran down champion kennel mate Fernando Bale (Kelsos Fusileer x Chloe Allen Mar ’13) to get the win. Both dogs were superstars of the track and retired as the only two greyhounds to have earned more than $1 million on the race track.

    2015 Melbourne Cup results

    November 20, 2015. Sandown SGRC First Prize $420,000

    • Winner: Dyna Double One (Barcia Bale x Crystin Bale)
    • Born: March 2013 Black Dog
    • Owner: Brendan Wheeler
    • Trainer: Andrea Dailly.
    • Time: 29.16
    • Margins 0.5 x 6.
    • Others in finishing order: Fernando Bale, Black Illusion, Bearville Azza, Zipping Meg, Dyna Tiber, Lamia Bale, Secret Spell.
  • The 2016 edition of the race was taken out by Ando’s Mac (El Grand Senor x Brook’s Doll Jun ’14) which gave leading NSW trainer Jason Mackay his biggest training win. The $420,000 first prize took Ando’s Mac’s prize money to $556,386 – 16th on the all time prize money earner’s list.

    The fawn flyer was the first NSW trained greyhound to win the race since Go Wild Teddy (Head Honcho x Web Of Silence Aug ’98) saluted in 2000 and was just the second greyhound which was not black to win the race in the past 14 years.

    2016 Melbourne Cup results

    November 18, 2016. Sandown Park SGRC First Prize $420,000

    • Winner: Ando’s Mac (El Grand Senor x Brook’s Doll)
    • Born: June 2014 Fawn Dog
    • Owner: Alderdice Anderson Synd
    • Trainer: Jason Mackay.
    • Time: 29.481
    • Margins: 0.25 x 0.5.
    • Others in finishing order: Jesaulenko, Worm Burner, Outside Pass, Barton Bale, Zambora Brockie, Matt Machine, Tripum.
  • Aston Dee Bee broke through for his first group 1 win in brilliant style, winning the world’s richest greyhound race in a sizzling 29.36. The black dog was beaten for speed in the early stages but muscled his way to the front and from that point in time was never in doubt, charging clear to defeat a gallant Chasin’ Crackers.

    2017 Melbourne Cup results

    November 24, 2017, Sandown Park. First Prize: $420,000

    • Winner: Aston Dee Bee (Barcia Bale X Aston Elle) Black Dog.
    • Whelped:02/04/2015
    • Trainer: Seona Thompson
    • Owner: Raymond Borda
    • Winning Time:29.36
    • Others in Finishing Order: Chasin’ Crackers, Kouta Mayhem, Bewildering, Raw Ability, Striker Light, Aston Miley, Up Hill Jill
  • The inside draw proved beneficial for star chaser My Redeemer, which hugged the rails and held out all comers to win the Melbourne Cup. Jumping from the one box, the son of Fernando Bale was one of the quickest away but looked like he was going to be headed by the then undefeated Black Opium from the five. My Redeemer used the rail perfectly however and held off all comers coming to the first turn. My Redeemer was able to extend away down the stretch to record a strong win.

    2018 Melbourne Cup results

    November 23, 2018, Sandown Park. First Prize: $425,000

    • Winner:My Redeemer (Fernando Bale x Where’s Demonica) Dog.
    • Whelped:25/04/2016
    • Trainer: David Geall
    • Owner: Brendan Sinfield
    • Winning Time:29.38
    • Others in Finishing Order: Black Opium, She’s Gifted, West On Augie, Degani, Dyna Harpa, Poke The Bear, Notorious Mac
  • Whiskey Riot has won a thrilling edition of the Melbourne Cup for greyhounds. The victory got the monkey off the back for the Anthony Azzopardi-trained chaser, after he placed in the Group 1 Topgun, Adelaide Cup and the Maturity. Angela Langton-trained Western Envoy finished second, while favourite Hooked on Scotch ran on well for third. The victory was Azzopardi’s first Melbourne Cup win, with connections pocketing $435,000 for connections.

  • Hard Style Rico took out the 2021 edition of the Melbourne Cup after leading throughout the race. The emphatic victory of Hard Style Rico was highlighted by the Lucky Karabitsakos-trained dog breaking the Sandown track record and thrashing a crack field, which included Tommy Shelby, Tiggerlong Tonk and Shima Shine. Hard Style Rico ($5) beat home Simon Told Helen and Tommy Shelby for the win.

  • Koblenz proved too strong in the 2021 Melbourne Cup, with an emphatic victory, leading all the way, to defeat Lala Kiwi ($7.10) and Kinson Bale ($13.20). Koblenz jumped the $4.30 second favourite, behind Aston Rupee, and was David Geall’s second Melbourne Cup win in four years, having taken it out in 2018 with My Redeemer.

  • The insanely talented, but largely unknown Yachi Bale has won the 2022 Melbourne Cup for greyhounds. The blistering finish saw the Mark Delbridge-trained dog defeat Fernando Mick, while Plaintiff was a neck away in third. The victory in the $650,000 to the winner Melbourne Cup was Delbridge’s first and the biggest win of his career. The winning dog was bred and owned by industry titan Brendan Wheeler, who is the son of the recently deceased greyhound legend Paul Wheeler.

  • The 2023 Melbourne Cup for greyhounds has been won by Aussie Rocks, with the Geoff Mitchell-trained two-year-old upsetting a stellar field, which included short-priced favourite Big Energy. After jumping well, some early chaos in the field which left Big Energy with plenty of work to do, Aussie Rocks ran on well to win connections $650,000. Big Energy finished second, while another roughie Mac’s Damage finished third. Making Aussie Rocks’ win even more special was his ability to overcome box five, which has been somewhat of a black hole for Melbourne Cup runners.

Group 1 Melbourne Cup – honour roll

Year Winner
1956 Rocketeer
1957 Rookie Rebel
1958 Marine Jet
1959 Capital King
1960 Chief Ranee
1961 Bybrae
1962 Saskagay
1963 Saskaview
1964 Rocket Streak
1965 Kinta’s Son
1966 Cheltenham Lass
1967 Swan Opal
1968 Mr.Spot
1969 Milimsimbi
1970 Chris’ Dandy
1971 Gerard The Gent
1972 Gold Grotto
1973 New Mariner
1974 Kwik Metal
1975 Dynamic Dean
1976 Carrington Jade
1977 Milepost
1978 Tangaloa
1979 Acclaim Star
1980 Black Aztec
1981 Satan’s Shroud
1982 Kid Scandal
1983 Lady Lilly
1984 Rustic Venture
1985 Sydney Dingaan
1986 Legendary Kid
1987 Speedy Mick
1988 Hua
1989 Fair Sentence
1990 Highly Blessed
1991 Fox Hunt
1992 Master Giant
1993 Silver Chisel
1994 Light Of Fire
1995 City Blitz
1996 Henry Hand
1997 Roanokee
1998 Rapid Journey
1999 Kantarn Bale
2000 Go Wild Teddy
2001 Classic Capri
2002 Excite Ability
2003 Bombastic Shiraz
2004 Hallucinate
2005 Closing Argument
2006 Betty’s Angel
2007 Shanlyn Prince
2008 Surgeon
2009 Lord Ducal
2010 El Grand Senor
2011 Dyna Tron
2012 Got A Moment
2013 Black Magic Opal
2014 Dyna Villa
2015 Dyna Double One
2016 Ando’s Mac
2017 Aston Dee Bee
2018 My Redeemer
2019 Whiskey Riot
2020 Hard Style Rico
2021 Koblenz
2022 Yachi Bale
2023 Aussie Rocks
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