Race 1: Darley Maribyrnong Plate
🏆 Our Pick Royal Press
Royal Press has something most of these youngsters don’t: actual race-day experience. He stuck on for second in the Maribyrnong Trial after racing close to the speed, and that first outing should have him better prepared for another dash down the Flemington straight.
💰 Value Play Jetsetter
Jetsetter is a debutant, but the McEvoy colt has looked sharp in his jumpouts and gets a handy draw in barrier two. He’ll need to bring that trial speed to race day, but he’s an interesting alternative if the market leans too heavily on the exposed form.
🎲 The Smokey Lumineux
Lumineux comes from the Ben Brisbourne yard with encouraging jumpout work behind him, even if the stable isn’t usually associated with early two-year-old stars. Craig Williams is a useful booking, and an upset wouldn’t be completely out of the question in a race full of unknowns.
Race 2: Pin & Win Community Handicap
🏆 Our Pick Yauson
Yauson had to do a mountain of work without cover at Caulfield last start and still fought on for third. The 2000m suits, but barrier 21 is an ugly assignment, so he’ll need a good ride to turn that strong recent form into a win.
💰 Value Play Johnich
Johnich arrives off a determined 2000m win at Caulfield and has been building nicely through this preparation. He carries 60kg and draws wide, but he’s fit, proven at the trip and looks capable of handling another step up.
🎲 The Smokey Dad And Dave
Dad And Dave hasn’t troubled the judge in two runs back, which is why he’ll be easy to overlook. His latest Caulfield effort was better than the finishing position suggests, and barrier one with a rise to 2000m gives him a chance to improve sharply.
Race 3: TAB One Pool Trophy
🏆 Our Pick Star Of Macedon
Star Of Macedon got a long way back in the Gothic Stakes at Caulfield before charging home late for sixth. The bigger Flemington track and stretch to 1800m should give Blake Shinn more room to wind him up, and he looks ready for a big run.
💰 Value Play Mister Whiskers
Mister Whiskers has won both starts and showed plenty of fight to fend off challengers over the mile at Caulfield last time. He can settle near the pace from barrier two, making him a serious danger if the others leave their runs too late.
🎲 The Smokey Billycart
Billycart made a winning debut and now gets thrown straight into Listed company, which is a decent leap for a lightly raced filly. She’ll need to handle 1800m and a much stronger field, but that early promise makes her an intriguing outsider.
Race 4: The Schweppervescence Plate
🏆 Our Pick Ole Go
Ole Go returned with a win at Morphettville despite doing a few things wrong in the run. He’s got speed, winning form over the short course and James McDonald aboard, so he looks the one they have to catch.
💰 Value Play Peyton
Peyton found himself too far back in the Roman Consul Stakes but kept running through the line against better opposition. A return to 1000m and a drop in class could suit, although Zac Lloyd will have to overcome the outside draw.
🎲 The Smokey Gas Station Rose
Gas Station Rose has been given a little break since a respectable fourth over 1200m at Caulfield. Back to a sharp 1000m with Craig Williams riding, she could be one of the outsiders making ground when the favourites start feeling the pinch.
Race 5: Australian Heritage Cup
🏆 Our Pick Jennivamoose
Jennivamoose kept finding the line behind Juja Kibo in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup and now gets another proper staying test. She’s fit, proven over long distances and has Mark Zahra booked, which is enough to put her on top in a wide-open race.
💰 Value Play Athabascan
Athabascan worked home well in the ATC St Leger behind the flying So You Are, and his staying credentials are already well established. Barrier 22 is hardly a gift, but if Zac Lloyd can find cover, he’ll be running on when plenty of others have had enough.
🎲 The Smokey Taramansour
Taramansour’s recent results won’t attract a stampede at the betting windows, but he’s an experienced stayer who knows Flemington. He’s been freshened since the Ansett Classic and could sneak into the finish if the 2800m brings him back to life.
Race 6: Asahi Super Dry Plate
🏆 Our Pick Sabaj
Sabaj has been competing in stronger races without finding the winner’s circle, but this looks a much more suitable assignment. Getting up to 1800m at Flemington with Mark Zahra aboard gives him a strong chance to finally put it all together.
💰 Value Play St Lawrence
St Lawrence comes in chasing three straight wins after a hard-fought Murray Bridge Gold Cup victory. James McDonald takes the reins and the gelding is racing with genuine confidence, so he’s a serious threat if he handles the step into this field.
🎲 The Smokey Immediacy
Immediacy is an easy horse to dismiss after his recent results, but the Seymour Cup run offered little chance to show his best. Barrier one gives him the opportunity to save ground, and he’s got enough past ability to surprise at a big price.
Race 7: Lexus Melbourne Cup
🏆 Our Pick Point Of Law
Point Of Law looked every inch a Cup contender when taking out the Geelong Cup, winning strongly despite racing keenly. Barrier nine and just 53kg give Ethan Brown a beautiful setup; the only real unknown is whether he can produce the same finish over the full 3200m.
💰 Value Play So You Are
So You Are has been on a tear, winning the Colin Stephen Stakes, ATC St Leger and Bendigo Cup during a brilliant staying preparation. Rachel King knows him well, barrier seven is ideal and 54kg looks manageable, making him a dangerous alternative to the shorter-priced imports if he stays the trip.
🎲 The Smokey Goodie Two Shoes
Goodie Two Shoes knows exactly what the Melbourne Cup demands after finishing runner-up to Half Yours last year. She’s since won a Group 2 over 2800m in Britain and has Wayne Lordan back aboard; barrier 19 and the extra weight are concerns, but proven two-mile form is hard to ignore at a big price.
Race 8: Crown Amanda Elliott
🏆 Our Pick Ranarsson
Ranarsson has absolutely flogged the opposition in his first two starts at Cranbourne, winning both with plenty in hand. This is a major rise in grade, but the Hayes colt looks a serious talent and the light weight gives Ben Melham every chance to keep the streak alive.
💰 Value Play Mr Natural
Mr Natural caught the eye at Geelong, making up strong ground from a difficult position to finish second. Damian Lane takes over from barrier three, and the bigger Flemington track should suit if he can settle close enough to strike.
🎲 The Smokey Autumn Lover
Autumn Lover finished strongly from the rear in the Gothic Stakes at Caulfield and wasn’t far away despite the race shape working against her. She gets another crack at 1400m on a roomier track, and a cleaner run could see her upset some much more fancied rivals.
Race 9: The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes
🏆 Our Pick Shadhavar
Shadhavar was impressive winning the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield, putting daylight between herself and the chasing pack. She’s drawn barrier two with Craig Williams aboard and arrives rock-hard fit, making her the obvious horse to beat.
💰 Value Play So You Pence
So You Pence returned with an encouraging third in The Kosciuszko, finishing close up after a long break between runs. She should take plenty of improvement from that effort, and the rise to 1400m could bring her right into contention.
🎲 The Smokey Oh Too Good
Oh Too Good was never a winning threat first-up in the Tristarc, but she made up ground late after getting back from a wide draw. Barrier three gives Damian Lane the chance to settle her much closer this time, and she’s a genuine roughie if that first run has brought her on.
Race 10: Channel 9 Trophy
🏆 Our Pick Everain
Everain returned with a luckless fourth at Geelong, held up when he needed room to launch his finish. He’s fitter for that run, gets back to 1400m and carries just 54kg, although Zac Lloyd will need to navigate barrier 13.
💰 Value Play Porter
Porter showed plenty of fight to win over 1440m at Caulfield last start, refusing to fold when the challengers came. He has Blake Shinn aboard and the same sort of on-speed racing style that could prove very handy in a crowded final race.
🎲 The Smokey No Fuss
No Fuss has won his last three starts, but hasn’t been seen on race day since his previous preparation. The step into Benchmark 90 company is a serious test, yet 54kg and that winning habit make him a worthwhile outsider if he returns ready to fire.
Tips prepared 1 November 2026. Check final scratchings, track conditions and jockey changes before betting. Racing predictions are opinions, not guarantees.