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Our Caulfield Cup 2026 tips: Zahrann each-way from barrier 4 is our best bet on a Good 4 track, Half Yours is the saver, and favourite Cosmic Crusader has a wide draw to overcome.
Caulfield Cup 2026. Australia’s second-richest staying handicap runs on Saturday 17 October 2026 at Caulfield over 2400m, a $6 million Group 1 and the single most important form pointer to the Melbourne Cup. This is our complete Caulfield Cup guide: the 2026 date and start times, the field and how it’s drawn, tips and best bets, live odds, the form guide, how to watch, past winners and FAQs, updated through the spring with the latest field, odds and our best bets.
🏆 Race-week update, 15 October: Caulfield is rated a Good 4. Our best bet is Zahrann each-way from barrier 4; favourite Cosmic Crusader is around $4.80 but drawn 17.
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Caulfield Cup 2026: Key Details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Race | Caulfield Cup (Group 1) |
| Date | Saturday 17 October 2026 |
| Start time | ~5:15pm AEDT |
| Venue | Caulfield, Melbourne |
| Distance | 2400m |
| Conditions | Open handicap, 3yo & up |
| Field size | 18 runners + 4 emergencies |
| Prize money | $6 million (record) — $6.55m total stakes |
| Broadcast | Channel 7 / 7plus (free), Sky Racing, Racing.com |
Also on Caulfield Cup Day: Thousand Guineas. The same Saturday in Sydney: The Everest and King Charles III Stakes. Looking ahead to the first Tuesday in November? See the Melbourne Cup field and the Melbourne Cup start time.
What’s New for the 150th Running
The 2026 Caulfield Cup is the 150th running of the race, and the Melbourne Racing Club has marked it by lifting the pool by $1 million on 2025 to a record $6 million ($6.55 million in total stakes). The winner collects $3.3 million, and for the first time every runner earns prize money, with those finishing outside the top 10 banking $60,000. Trophies for the winning jockey, trainer and owner rise from $330,000 to $550,000.
The change worth noting as a punter sits at the bottom of the market. When the last horse home still returns $60,000, connections of a fancied-at-long-odds stayer have less reason to withdraw and wait for a softer race, so the 2026 field should stay deep through to acceptances. That matters most in the exotics, where a full 18 plus emergencies keeps First 4 dividends healthy.
When is the Caulfield Cup & What Time?
The Caulfield Cup is run on the third Saturday of October, in 2026 that’s Saturday 17 October, as the feature on Caulfield Cup Day (the climax of the two-Saturday Caulfield Cup Carnival). The Cup itself jumps at approximately 5:15pm AEDT. Local start times by state:
| State | Local start time |
|---|---|
| VIC / NSW / ACT / TAS | ~5:15pm AEDT |
| Queensland | ~4:15pm AEST |
| South Australia | ~4:45pm ACDT |
| Northern Territory | ~3:45pm ACST |
| Western Australia | ~2:15pm AWST |
Caulfield Cup Day shares its afternoon with Sydney’s showpiece. The Everest, the world’s richest race on turf, jumps at Royal Randwick roughly an hour earlier at about 4:15pm AEDT, so both majors are covered on the one card of betting.
Caulfield Cup 2026 Field & Barrier Draw
The Caulfield Cup is a capacity handicap of 18 runners plus four emergencies, the field set by the handicapper’s ratings and a ballot, with weights released in the weeks before. The final field and barriers were released on Tuesday 13 October and are in the table below. On the draw, Caulfield’s tight, turning circuit and the short run to the first bend make an inside-to-midfield gate an asset. Though the staying trip gives runners time to recover, and Incentivise famously won from barrier 18 in 2021. International raiders make up a strong share of the modern field.
Who is in and who is out. Second acceptances closed on 6 October. Sir Delius, the original 59kg topweight, was taken out of the Cup and goes straight to the Cox Plate instead. Half Yours, the reigning Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup winner, is the new topweight at 57.5kg and is now ridden by Mark Zahra, because Jamie Melham has chosen to ride Blue Door in The Everest on the same day.
Caulfield Cup 2026 final field and barriers
The final field of 18 runners and four emergencies was released on Tuesday 13 October, with the barrier draw done that morning. Defending champion Half Yours carries topweight of 57.5kg from barrier 7 with Mark Zahra. Favourite Cosmic Crusader drew wide in barrier 17, and three international raiders are in the field: Enfjaar (barrier 1), Starford (barrier 15) and Wine Dark Sea (barrier 19).
| No. | Horse | Barrier | Weight | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Half Yours | 7 | 57.5kg | Mark Zahra | Tony & Calvin McEvoy |
| 2 | Cosmic Crusader | 17 | 56kg | William Pike | Andrea Leek |
| 3 | Treasurethe Moment | 5 | 55.5kg | Daniel Stackhouse | Matt Laurie |
| 4 | Kingswood | 20 | 55kg | John Allen | Gavin Bedggood |
| 5 | Knight’s Choice | 22 | 55kg | Robbie Dolan | John Symons & Sheila Laxon |
| 6 | Middle Earth | 11 | 55kg | Thomas Stockdale | Ciaron Maher |
| 7 | Enfjaar | 1 | 54.5kg | Ray Dawson | Roger Varian |
| 8 | Green Spaces | 18 | 54.5kg | Rachel King | Bjorn Baker |
| 9 | Royal Supremacy | 8 | 54.5kg | Jamie Spencer | Ciaron Maher |
| 10 | Wine Dark Sea | 19 | 54.5kg | Damian Lane | Harry Charlton |
| 11 | Asterix | 10 | 53.5kg | TBC | Chris Waller |
| 12 | Saint George | 2 | 53.5kg | Craig Williams | Ciaron Maher |
| 13 | Starford | 15 | 53.5kg | Lachlan Neindorf | Joseph O’Brien |
| 14 | She’s A Hustler | 6 | 53kg | Michael Dee | Grahame Begg |
| 15 | Soul Of Spain | 13 | 53kg | TBC | Chris Waller |
| 16 | Zahrann | 4 | 53kg | Ethan Brown | Ciaron Maher |
| 17 | Ohope Wins | 16 | 51.5kg | TBC | Chris Waller |
| 18 | Kings Valley | 12 | 51kg | Jabez Johnstone | Ciaron Maher |
| E1 | The Euphrates | 9 | 52.5kg | Jett Stanley | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
| E2 | Juja Kibo | 14 | 52kg | TBC | Ciaron Maher |
| E3 | Point Of Law | 21 | 51kg | TBC | Ciaron Maher |
| E4 | Mr Monaco | 3 | 51kg | TBC | Ciaron Maher |
Reading the draw. Caulfield rewards inside-to-midfield gates, and the inside eight include Enfjaar (1), Saint George (2), Zahrann (4), Treasurethe Moment (5), She’s A Hustler (6), Half Yours (7) and Royal Supremacy (8). The outside gates hold Cosmic Crusader (17), Green Spaces (18), Wine Dark Sea (19) and Kingswood (20), with Knight’s Choice out in 22. Jockeys for three Chris Waller runners were still to be confirmed.
Caulfield Cup Tips, Best Bets & Predictions
Best bet: Zahrann each-way ($7 to $8). Zahrann won the Naturalism Stakes over 2000m around Caulfield on 19 September, which is the most directly transferable lead-up form of the spring: same track, a strongly run race and only 400m short of the Cup trip. He has drawn barrier 4 with just 53kg and Ethan Brown aboard, so he can take a sit just behind the speed and save ground on the turn. On a dry Good 4 surface he is our pick.
Saver: Half Yours. The defending champion carries topweight of 57.5kg, but he won both Cups last spring and his fifth in the Turnbull Stakes was a useful tune-up. At around $11 from barrier 7 he is a fair each-way saver.
The favourite: Cosmic Crusader. He won the Turnbull Stakes and has the best recent form in the race, but barrier 17 means he either works hard early or drops back and needs luck. At under $5 we are happy to take him on for the win.
Caulfield Cup 2026: our ratings of the main contenders
Prices are the fixed-odds market on Thursday 15 October 2026 and will move before the race. Weights and barriers are from the final field above.
| Horse | Barrier | Weight | Price (15 Oct) | Our view |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zahrann | 4 | 53kg | $7.00 to $8.00 | Best bet, each-way. Won the Naturalism Stakes over 2000m at Caulfield on 19 September, the most transferable lead-up of the spring |
| Half Yours | 7 | 57.5kg | $11.00 | Saver. Last year’s Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner, fifth in the Turnbull, now with Mark Zahra |
| Saint George | 2 | 53.5kg | $8.00 to $8.50 | Ideal gate with Craig Williams; a big runner if he settles handy |
| Cosmic Crusader | 17 | 56kg | $4.80 to $5.00 | Won the Turnbull Stakes and deserves to be favourite, but barrier 17 is a real knock at the price |
| Wine Dark Sea | 19 | 54.5kg | $10.00 | International raider with Damian Lane; drawn very wide |
| Enfjaar | 1 | 54.5kg | $12.00 | International raider on the rail; the draw is a big help |
Exotics. For a trifecta, box Zahrann, Saint George, Half Yours and Cosmic Crusader. A field of 18 rarely runs to the market, so keep the stakes small. See this weekend’s Bets of the Week for how Zahrann fits our weekend multi, and our Melbourne Cup tips for what the result means for 3 November.
How to Bet on the Caulfield Cup
Win and each-way are the staples, but a capacity field makes the quinella, trifecta and first four attractive, and the Caulfield Cup Day quaddie is a popular play. All-in futures trade through the spring as the lead-ups unfold, so backing a runner before the final field firms is the value angle. For live Caulfield Cup odds and the best price on every runner, compare the leading Australian bookmakers in our toplist below.
Caulfield Cup Odds & Favourites
Markets open through the winter and firm as horses qualify. The Caulfield Cup has a mixed favourites record. Incentivise bolted in as favourite in 2021, but Durston won as the first-ever emergency to salute in 2022 and roughies are common in a deep handicap, so each-way and the exotics earn their keep. In 2026 the Turnbull Stakes winner Cosmic Crusader is the favourite at around $4.80, with Zahrann, Saint George and Half Yours next. We track the market all spring; for the latest fixed-odds and futures, see the bookmaker comparison below.
Caulfield Cup Form Guide
The key form lines run through the Caulfield spring: the Memsie, Makybe Diva, Underwood and Turnbull Stakes, the Caulfield Stakes and the Herbert Power Stakes (the main local 2400m lead-up and ballot-exempt path) all feed the field. Overseas, form out of the major European middle-distance and staying races points to the international raiders. Weight, barrier and a genuine 2400m pedigree complete the picture. And the Caulfield Cup is itself the premier Melbourne Cup form line (see below).
2026 lead-up form. The Naturalism Stakes over 2000m at Caulfield on 19 September went to Zahrann ($3.20, Ethan Brown) from stablemate Saint George ($3.60), a Ciaron Maher quinella, with Asterix ($26.00) third. Run at the track and close to the trip of the Cup itself, it is the most directly transferable Caulfield Cup form line of the spring so far. Both of the next guides have now been run. In the Turnbull Stakes on 3 October, Cosmic Crusader ($8, William Pike, Andrea Leek) won on a Heavy 8 by 1.75 lengths from Light Infantry Man, with Sir Delius fourth and Half Yours fifth. In the Might And Power (Caulfield Stakes) on 10 October, Land Legend ($61, Ethan Brown, Ciaron Maher), who remains in the Caulfield Cup betting, beat the $1.40 favourite Sheza Alibi by a short head.
Caulfield Cup Recent Winners & 2025 Result
The 2025 Caulfield Cup was won by Half Yours, with Jamie Melham becoming the first female jockey to win the race, before the pair went on to complete the famous Caulfield Cup–Melbourne Cup double. Recent winners:
| Year | Winner | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Half Yours | Jamie Melham. 1st female winner; later won the Melbourne Cup |
| 2024 | Duke De Sessa | Beat Buckaroo by 1.25L |
| 2023 | Without A Fight | Won the Melbourne Cup next start (the double) |
| 2022 | Durston | First-ever emergency to win |
| 2021 | Incentivise | 3.5L romp from barrier 18 as favourite |
The Caulfield Cup–Melbourne Cup Double
The Caulfield Cup is the most important lead-up to the Melbourne Cup, run just over two weeks earlier over 2400m at weight-for-age-style handicap conditions. The rare Caulfield Cup–Melbourne Cup double is racing’s blue riband, achieved by Without A Fight (2023) and again by Half Yours in 2025. If you’re building a spring staying portfolio, the Caulfield Cup result is the first place to look for your Melbourne Cup play, see our full Melbourne Cup tips, field & guide.
History & Background
First run in 1879, the Caulfield Cup is one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious staying handicaps, run at the tight, turning Caulfield circuit. It has long been the launchpad for spring staying campaigns and the premier Melbourne Cup pointer, and forms the centrepiece of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival alongside the Caulfield Guineas and the Cox Plate.
How to Watch the Caulfield Cup (Live Stream & TV)
Caulfield Cup Day is broadcast free-to-air on Channel 7 and streamed on 7plus, with full race-day coverage on Sky Racing and Racing.com. You can also live stream the race with most licensed Australian bookmakers once your account is funded. Replays go up on Racing.com and the Melbourne Racing Club channels shortly after.
Best Bookmakers for the Caulfield Cup
For a full comparison of the top Australian racing bookmakers, best odds, futures markets and live streaming, see our best horse racing betting sites in Australia guide.
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
#AD 18+ T&Cs Apply Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free & confidential support call 180 0858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
18+ T&C's Apply. What are you really gambling with? Chances are you're about to lose. Set a Deposit Limit For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
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Caulfield Cup FAQs
Who is the favourite for the 2026 Caulfield Cup?
Cosmic Crusader, the Turnbull Stakes winner, is the favourite at around $4.80 as of Thursday 15 October, despite drawing barrier 17. Zahrann ($7 to $8), Saint George and defending champion Half Yours ($11) are next in the market.
What are BettingPro’s Caulfield Cup tips?
Our best bet is Zahrann each-way. He won the Naturalism Stakes over 2000m at Caulfield, has drawn barrier 4 and carries just 53kg. Half Yours is our saver, and we are taking on favourite Cosmic Crusader because of his wide draw.
When is the Caulfield Cup 2026?
Saturday 17 October 2026, the third Saturday of October, at Caulfield.
What time is the Caulfield Cup?
Approximately 5:15pm AEDT (around 4:15pm in QLD, 2:15pm in WA).
Who won the 2025 Caulfield Cup?
Half Yours, with Jamie Melham the first female jockey to win the race, the pair then completed the Caulfield Cup–Melbourne Cup double.
How far is the Caulfield Cup?
2400m, run as a Group 1 handicap for three-year-olds and upwards.
How many horses run in the Caulfield Cup?
A capacity field of 18 runners, plus up to four emergencies.
How much is the Caulfield Cup worth?
$6 million in prize money for 2026, a record, with total stakes of $6.55 million. The winner collects $3.3 million.
How can I watch the Caulfield Cup?
Free-to-air on Channel 7 and 7plus, plus Sky Racing, Racing.com and most bookmaker live streams.
Is Sir Delius running in the Caulfield Cup?
No. Sir Delius was taken out at second acceptances on 6 October and is heading to the Cox Plate on 24 October instead.
Who is topweight in the 2026 Caulfield Cup?
Half Yours, the reigning Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup winner, is the new topweight at 57.5kg, with Mark Zahra riding after second acceptances.
Which barrier has Half Yours drawn in the 2026 Caulfield Cup?
Half Yours drew barrier 7 with topweight of 57.5kg and Mark Zahra riding. Favourite Cosmic Crusader drew barrier 17.
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