Australian Cup Tips, Best Bets, Field and Odds

The Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) will be held at Flemington on Saturday, March 6 and we provide you with a comprehensive guide to the middle-distance feature race.

The Australian Cup 2027 is the premier weight-for-age race of the Melbourne autumn — a $2.5 million Group 1 over 2000m at Flemington on Australian Cup Day, Saturday 27 March 2027. It brings the best middle-distance horses together to close the autumn carnival. This is our complete guide: the 2027 date and start times, the field, tips and best bets, live odds, the form guide, how to watch, past winners and FAQs — updated all autumn with the latest field, odds and our best bets.

The Australian Cup 2027: Key Details

Detail	Value
Race	Australian Cup (Group 1, WFA)
Date	Saturday 27 March 2027 (Australian Cup Day)
Start time	~5:00pm AEDT (confirmed race week)
Venue	Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
Distance	2000m
Conditions	Weight-for-age, 3yo & up
Prize money	$2.5 million
Broadcast	Channel 7 / 7plus, Racing.com, Sky Racing + bookmaker streams

 

When is the Australian Cup & What Time?

The Australian Cup is run in late March on Australian Cup Day at Flemington — in 2027 that’s Saturday 27 March, with the feature jumping in the late afternoon (approximately 5:00pm AEDT; the exact time is confirmed race week). Local start times by state:

State	Local start time
VIC / NSW / ACT / TAS	~5:00pm AEDT
Queensland	~4:00pm AEST
South Australia	~4:30pm ACDT
Northern Territory	~3:30pm ACST
Western Australia	~2:00pm AWST

 

The Autumn Weight-for-Age Championship

The Australian Cup is the premier weight-for-age race of the Melbourne autumn — the season’s great 2000m test of the best older horses, much as the Cox Plate is in the spring. (It’s the famous Flemington horse race, not to be confused with soccer’s Australia Cup.) Recent runnings have been remarkable for back-to-back champions: Cascadian won in 2023 and 2024, and Light Infantry Man followed up in 2025 and 2026 — proof that genuine, race-fit weight-for-age class is the key to the Australian Cup.

The Australian Cup 2027 Field & Barrier Draw

As a weight-for-age Group 1 the Australian Cup draws an elite but compact field of the autumn’s best middle-distance horses, often including All-Star Mile runners stepping up in trip. Over 2000m at Flemington the start is on the course proper into the long straight, so the barrier is rarely decisive; tactical speed and a strong finish matter more. Check back for the confirmed 2027 field and barriers.

Australian Cup Tips, Best Bets & Predictions

Our tipsters post their Australian Cup best bets and value selections once the field and barriers are confirmed. A 2000m weight-for-age championship rewards proven Group 1 class and a horse peaking into the autumn — and the recent dual winners show that established quality holds up. Win and each-way are the staples; the small field also makes the quinella and exacta playable. Bookmark this page for our final selections.

How to Bet on the Australian Cup

All the standard markets apply — win and each-way, plus exotics (quinella, exacta, trifecta and first-four) that suit a small, classy field. Futures open through the autumn carnival. Prices vary between bookmakers, so always compare and take the best available — see our toplist below.

Australian Cup Odds & Favourites

Australian Cup markets firm through the autumn as the field is confirmed. It is generally dominated by proven weight-for-age performers — Light Infantry Man and Cascadian were repeat winners — but a strongly run 2000m race can still reward a value play. For live Australian Cup odds and the best price on every runner, compare the bookmakers below.

Australian Cup Form Guide

The key form lines are the autumn weight-for-age races — the C.F. Orr Stakes, Peter Young Stakes and the All-Star Mile — plus horses stepping up to 2000m third-up. Look for proven Group 1 class, a genuine staying-middle-distance profile and a stable that has the horse cherry-ripe. The Australian Cup headlines the Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival alongside the Newmarket Handicap.

Australian Cup Recent Winners & 2026 Result

The 2026 Australian Cup was won by Light Infantry Man (Harry Coffey), who went back-to-back by narrowly denying Pride Of Jenni in a stable quinella — see our full Australian Cup 2026 results. Recent winners:

Year	Winner	Note
2026	Light Infantry Man	Back-to-back; beat Pride Of Jenni
2025	Light Infantry Man	First of consecutive wins
2024	Cascadian	Back-to-back
2023	Cascadian	First of consecutive wins
2022	Duais	First mare to win since Makybe Diva (2005)

 

History & Background

A Flemington institution dating back to 1864, the Australian Cup has been won by some of the greats — Phar Lap, Let’s Elope, Northerly and Fiorente among them — and is the defining weight-for-age race of the Melbourne autumn. Now run over 2000m at Group 1 level, it closes the autumn carnival as the season’s premier test for older horses, much as the Cox Plate does in the spring.

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

Australian Cup Day is shown free-to-air on Channel 7 and 7plus, plus Racing.com and Sky Racing, 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 Australian 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.

Australian Cup FAQs

When is the Australian Cup 2027?

Saturday 27 March 2027 — Australian Cup Day — at Flemington, over 2000m.

How much is the Australian Cup worth?

$2.5 million in 2027, at Group 1 weight-for-age level.

What time is the Australian Cup?

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

Who won the 2026 Australian Cup?

Light Infantry Man, going back-to-back by beating stablemate Pride Of Jenni.

What distance is the Australian Cup?

2000m, weight-for-age, for horses aged three and over.

Is the Australian Cup a horse race or soccer?

This page covers the Group 1 Australian Cup horse race at Flemington; soccer’s Australia Cup is a separate competition.

How can I watch the Australian Cup?

Free-to-air on Channel 7 and 7plus, plus Racing.com and Sky Racing, with free live streams via most bookmakers.