We are right in the thick of the Australian spring racing carnival, with the Melbourne Cup quickly approaching.
The iconic race will see the best domestic and international stayers compete in a 3200m event at Flemington.
The Sporting News has the latest information on the Melbourne Cup field below.
READ: All the latest horse racing news
Melbourne Cup 2024: Order of entry, weights
As of October 28, just 35 horses remain in contention for this year’s Melbourne Cup.
The current order of entry is as follows:
Exempt horses as of October 28
| Order | Horse | Weight | Age | Trainer/s |
| Exempt | Via Sistina (IRE) | 56kg | 7 | Chris Waller |
| Exempt | Just Fine (IRE) | 53kg | 7 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
| Exempt | The Map | 50kg | 6 | Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray |
Passed 2024 1st Ballot clause as of October 28
| Order | Horse | Weight | Age | Trainer/s |
| 4 | Jan Brueghel (IRE) | 54kg | 4 | Aidan O’Brien |
| 5 | Vauban (FR) | 55.5kg | 7 | Willie Mullins |
| 6 | Circle Of Fire (GB) | 54.5kg | 5 | Ciaron Maher |
| 7 | Buckaroo (GB) | 54.5kg | 6 | Chris Waller |
| 8 | Warp Speed (JPN) | 54.5kg | 6 | Noboru Takagi |
| 9 | Zardozi | 51.5kg | 4 | James Cummings |
| 10 | Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) | 53.5kg | 5 | Graeme & Deborah Rogerson |
| 11 | Kovalica (NZ) | 53.5kg | 5 | Chris Waller |
| 12 | Land Legend (FR) | 53kg | 5 | Chris Waller |
| 13 | Absurde (FR) | 52.5kg | 7 | Willie Mullins |
| 14 | Athabascan (FR) | 52kg | 6 | John O’Shea & Tom Charlton |
| 15 | Mahrajaan (USA) | 52kg | 7 | Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray |
| 16 | Knight’s Choice | 51.5kg | 5 | John Symons & Sheila Laxon |
| 17 | Okita Soushi (IRE) | 51kg | 7 | Ciaron Maher |
| 18 | Onesmoothoperator (USA) | 51kg | 7 | Brian Ellison |
| 19 | Muramasa | 51kg | 5 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
| 20 | Valiant King (GB) | 50.5kg | 5 | Chris Waller |
| 21 | Interpretation (IRE) | 50kg | 7 | Ciaron Maher |
| 22 | Fancy Man (IRE) | 50kg | 7 | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
| 23 | Mostly Cloudy (IRE) | 50kg | 6 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
| 24 | Positivity (NZ) | 50kg | 4 | Andrew Forsman |
| 25 | Mission Of Love | 50kg | 5 | John Symons & Sheila Laxon |
| 26 | Trust In You (NZ) | 50kg | 6 | Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley |
| 27 | Saint George (GB) | 50kg | 5 | Ciaron Maher |
| 28 | Brayden Star (GB) | 50kg | 4 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
| 29 | Manzoice | 50kg | 5 | Chris Waller |
| 30 | Kinesiology (GB) | 50kg | 4 | Jessica Harrington |
Not passed 2024 1st Ballot clause as of October 28
| Order | Horse | Weight | Age | Trainer/s |
| =31 | Francesco Guardi (IRE) | 52kg | 7 | Chris Waller |
| =31 | Le Don De Vie (GB) | 52kg | 9 | Ciaron Maher |
| =33 | Sea King (GB) | 50kg | 6 | Harry Eustace |
| =33 | Waltham (GB) | 50kg | 5 | Matthew Smith |
| =33 | Whisky On The Hill (GB) | 50kg | 5 | Mike Moroney & Glen Thompson |
Melbourne Cup field: When are the 24 runners confirmed?
The final field for this year’s Melbourne Cup will be finalised on Saturday, November 2 after the running of the Victoria Derby at Flemington.
Nominations for the 2024 field were released in early September, and have been updated weekly.
The Melbourne Cup field of final acceptances is restricted to just 24 starters and no emergencies.
When is the Melbourne Cup barrier draw?
The barrier draw for this year’s race will take place the same afternoon as the final field is confirmed.
We can expect the barrier draw to begin sometime after 4:30 pm AEDT on Saturday, November 2.
Melbourne Cup 2024 field, barriers betting odds
To be added following the barrier draw.
When is the Melbourne Cup?
This year’s Melbourne Cup will be held on Tuesday, November 5.
As the feature event at Flemington Racecourse, the race is scheduled to start at 3:00 pm AEDT.
