Victoria’s premier trainer Ciaron Maher has continued to add more firepower to his team with recent import Point of Law shooting to the top of betting after his impressive win in the Group 2 Geelong Cup (2400m) last week, earning the ninth golden ticket into the Lexus Melbourne Cup. Juja Kibo won the tenth golden ticket in Saturday’s Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) at Flemington joining the growing Maher contingent which already includes 2025 placegetter Middle Earth as well as 2026 Caulfield Cup placegetter Saint George.
Two-time Lexus Melbourne Cup winning trainer Joseph O’Brien has a strong representation in this year’s Cup, with eight horses in contention following acceptances. Jockey James McDonald has been confirmed on his Group 2 Curragh Cup (2800m) winner, Trustyourinstinct who joins Defiantly, James J Braddock and 2025 placegetter Goodie Two Shoes.
Chris Waller has five runners in contention for this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup, including 2023 placegetter Soulcombe and Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) winner Pinhole following his luckless run in Saturday’s Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m). With all golden tickets now having been won, this Wednesday’s Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) will prove a pivotal race for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s The Euphrates, Bjorn Baker’s So You Are and the Danny O’Brien trained Litzdeel to push their way into the 24-horse field, with all three runners currently sitting on the brink of making the final field.
The final field for the 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup will be announced this Saturday 31 October, following Howden Victoria Derby Day.
The full list of third acceptances for the Lexus Melbourne Cup can be found here.
