Adelaide Cup Tips, Best Bets, Field & Odds

The Adelaide Cup 2027. South Australia’s greatest staying race — a Group 2 handicap over 3200m at Morphettville — is run on Adelaide Cup Day, Monday 8 March 2027, the public holiday that gives South Australians a long weekend. This is our complete Adelaide Cup guide: the 2027 date and Adelaide Cup Day, start times, the field, tips and best bets, live odds, the form guide, how to watch, past winners and FAQs — updated through the autumn with the latest field, odds and our best bets.

The Adelaide Cup 2027: Key Details

Detail	Value
Race	Adelaide Cup (Group 2 handicap)
Date	Monday 8 March 2027 (Adelaide Cup Day)
Start time	~5:00pm ACDT (confirmed race week)
Venue	Morphettville Racecourse, Adelaide
Distance	3200m
Conditions	Group 2 handicap, 3yo & up
Prize money	$500,000
Broadcast	Sky Racing, Racing.com + bookmaker live streams

 

When is the Adelaide Cup & Adelaide Cup Day?

The Adelaide Cup is run on the second Monday in March — Adelaide Cup Day, a South Australian public holiday that creates the March long weekend. In 2027 that’s Monday 8 March, with the Cup itself jumping in the late afternoon (approximately 5:00pm ACDT; the exact time is confirmed race week). It’s a public holiday in South Australia only, but the race draws betting interest right across the country. Local start times by state:

State	Local start time
South Australia	~5:00pm ACDT
VIC / NSW / ACT / TAS	~5:30pm AEDT
Queensland	~4:30pm AEST
Northern Territory	~4:00pm ACST
Western Australia	~2:30pm AWST

 

The Adelaide Cup 2027 Field & Barrier Draw

As a 3200m staying handicap, the Adelaide Cup attracts a big field of out-and-out stayers — local hopes plus interstate raiders chasing black-type and prize money. Being a handicap, the weights are central: lightly weighted, progressive stayers are always dangerous against the topweights. Over two miles the barrier is less critical than tempo and stamina, but you still want a horse that can settle and finish strongly. Check back for the confirmed 2027 field, weights and barriers.

Adelaide Cup Tips, Best Bets & Predictions

Our tipsters post their Adelaide Cup best bets and value selections once the field, weights and barriers are confirmed. A two-mile handicap rewards proven staying form, a soft weight and a horse peaking at the right time of the autumn — and roughies regularly feature, so each-way value is well worth chasing. Win, each-way and the exotics all come into play in a big field. Bookmark this page for our final selections.

How to Bet on the Adelaide Cup

The Adelaide Cup offers the full menu — win and each-way (valuable in a big-field handicap), plus exotics like the quinella, trifecta and first-four that can pay handsomely when a roughie places. Futures open weeks out. Prices vary between bookmakers, so always compare and take the best available — see our toplist below.

Adelaide Cup Odds & Favourites

Adelaide Cup markets firm in the days before the race as the final field and weights are confirmed. As a staying handicap it is one of the more open Group races on the calendar — favourites win their share, but the two-mile trip and the handicap conditions throw up plenty of double-figure winners. For live Adelaide Cup odds and the best price on every runner, compare the bookmakers below.

Adelaide Cup Form Guide

The key form lines are the autumn staying races — Adelaide’s own carnival lead-ups plus interstate cups form from Melbourne and Sydney. Look for genuine 2400m–3200m form, a horse well treated at the weights, and proven stamina; staying types on the way up are the profile to follow. The Adelaide Cup is the centrepiece of the Adelaide Racing Carnival and is often described as South Australia’s answer to the Melbourne Cup.

Adelaide Cup Recent Winners & 2026 Result

The 2026 Adelaide Cup was won by American Wolf (Jett Stanley) for the Busuttin/Young stable, beating Highland Bling and Hurry Curry — see our full Adelaide Cup 2026 results. Recent winners:

Year	Winner	Note
2026	American Wolf	Beat Highland Bling & Hurry Curry
2025	Silent Surrente
2024	Excelleration
2023	Rebel Racer
2022	Daqiansweet Junior
2021	Good Idea

 

History & Background

First run in 1864, the Adelaide Cup is one of the oldest and most prestigious staying races in Australia — older than the Melbourne Cup. It was a Group 1 until 2006, when it was reclassified to Group 2 and moved from May to its current March date to anchor the Adelaide Cup Day public holiday. Dane Ripper, Lord Reims (a three-time winner) and many of Australia’s best stayers line its honour roll, and it remains the highlight of the South Australian autumn.

How to Watch the Adelaide Cup (Live Stream & TV)

The Adelaide Cup is shown on Sky Racing and Racing.com, with free-to-air coverage in South Australia, and you can live stream the race free with most licensed Australian bookmakers once your account is funded. Replays go up on Racing.com shortly after.

Best Bookmakers for the Adelaide Cup

For a full comparison of the top Australian racing bookmakers — best odds, futures and live streaming — see our best horse racing betting sites in Australia guide.

Adelaide Cup FAQs

When is the Adelaide Cup 2027?

Adelaide Cup Day — Monday 8 March 2027 — at Morphettville, over 3200m.

Is Adelaide Cup Day a public holiday?

Yes — Adelaide Cup Day is a public holiday in South Australia, held on the second Monday in March, creating the March long weekend.

What time is the Adelaide Cup?

Late afternoon — approximately 5:00pm ACDT — with the exact jump time confirmed race week.

How much is the Adelaide Cup worth?

$500,000, at Group 2 level.

Who won the 2026 Adelaide Cup?

American Wolf, ridden by Jett Stanley, beating Highland Bling and Hurry Curry.

What distance is the Adelaide Cup?

3200m (two miles) — a true staying handicap for horses aged three and over.

How can I watch the Adelaide Cup?

On Sky Racing and Racing.com, with free-to-air coverage in South Australia and free live streams via most bookmakers.