Race 1: TCL Trophy
🏆 Our Pick Certainly Quiet
Certainly Quiet resumed with a win and has a good habit of finding the line when the pressure goes on. Luke Cartwright’s claim helps with the weight, and she’s a leading chance if she handles the step to 1700m at Flemington.
💰 Value Play Cute Girl
Cute Girl comes off a narrow Warrnambool victory and has finished in the placings in six of her eight starts. William Pike gets the ride, and that consistent record makes her a genuine danger despite the jump from Benchmark 62 grade.
🎲 The Smokey Autumn Slide
Autumn Slide returned with an encouraging second and should take plenty of benefit from the outing. Damian Lane is aboard, and although barrier 17 makes the task awkward, she’s capable of charging into the finish at a decent price.
Race 2: Sharp EIT Subzero Handicap
🏆 Our Pick You’re Not The King
You’re Not The King has won both starts this preparation, most recently at Warwick Farm, and Rachel King has been aboard for both victories. He drops to just 53kg here, so the rise to Benchmark 90 company might not be enough to stop the hat-trick.
💰 Value Play Alabama Fox
Alabama Fox was a convincing winner at Kensington last start after a narrow second at Warwick Farm. She’s proven around 1400m and Zac Lloyd knows her well, making her a serious threat despite the jump in grade.
🎲 The Smokey Getafix
Getafix hasn’t been getting the chocolates lately, but he’s been competing against stronger Sydney opposition and has winning Flemington form. James McDonald jumps aboard, and a return to his better form could see him make a few fancied runners nervous.
Race 3: Channel 9 Chester Manifold Stakes
🏆 Our Pick Buccleuch
Buccleuch was all fight when beating Fiorenot at Caulfield last start and now gets substantial relief at the weights. He’s already won at Flemington over the mile, and Billy Egan has an outstanding record on him, so he’s the one they have to beat.
💰 Value Play Tavi Time
Tavi Time finished a respectable third on Everest Day after doing a few things wrong, and he’s now third-up with James McDonald in the saddle. The mile is his bread and butter, making him an attractive alternative if the favourite gets caught in traffic.
🎲 The Smokey Encap
Encap went close at his latest run after a string of tougher assignments, suggesting he might finally be ready to strike. Barrier three should allow Jamie Melham to give him a soft run, and he’s got enough class to make this interesting at longer odds.
Race 4: Inglis Bracelet
🏆 Our Pick Sass Appeal
Sass Appeal backed up her excellent Group 2 Stocks Stakes second with a respectable fourth behind Lady Shenandoah in the Group 1 Empire Rose. She’s won four times at Flemington, and dropping back in grade with Damian Lane aboard makes her hard to oppose.
💰 Value Play Gold Medallist
Gold Medallist was only narrowly beaten in the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes and comes into this race fresh after a short break. She’s a proven winner with Luke Nolen riding, and another performance like her latest would put her right in the finish.
🎲 The Smokey Bella Verona
Bella Verona has won twice in her last three starts and wasn’t far away when third most recently. Barrier two is a gift in a race where several leading chances have drawn awkwardly, and she could pinch a placing at a juicy price.
Race 5: Sigma Trophy
🏆 Our Pick Perisher
Perisher resumed with an impressive Benchmark 88 win at Rosehill, beating fellow runner Nobler and making it look like he had more to give. James McDonald takes over, and the rise to 1800m looks a good chance for the Maher gelding to go back-to-back.
💰 Value Play Fiorenot
Fiorenot was beaten by Buccleuch at Caulfield last start but stuck to his task after covering ground. He has an excellent record around 1800m, and if Jordan Childs can find cover from barrier ten, he’s a genuine threat to the favourite.
🎲 The Smokey Veyepee
Veyepee won twice before finishing sixth at Caulfield last start, where a tricky run didn’t do him any favours. Barrier one and 54.5kg are attractive ingredients, and he’s worth a look as an outsider if he gets clear running at the right time.
Race 6: Cirka Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final
🏆 Our Pick Our Justify
Our Justify is chasing three straight wins after putting together impressive victories in provincial company. The step up to a mile is the test, but barrier five and a manageable 54.5kg give him every chance to keep his winning streak alive.
💰 Value Play Lofty Thoughts
Lofty Thoughts has won his last two starts and has missed the placings only twice in ten outings, so there’s not much wrong with his recent form. James McDonald jumps on, although barrier 19 and a first try at 1600m make this a tougher assignment than his recent wins.
🎲 The Smokey Wetumpka
Wetumpka has been around the money in both recent runs, including a close second at Sale last start. He’s already shown he can mix it with decent opposition at the mile, and the light weight gives him an outside chance if the speed is genuine.
Race 7: Crown Red Roses Stakes
🏆 Our Pick Sequinned
Sequinned was outstanding winning by two and a half lengths at Caulfield last start and has been kept sharp with a Flemington trial since. James McDonald sticks with the Waller filly, and she’s clearly the horse to beat if that explosive turn of foot turns up again.
💰 Value Play Scintillation
Scintillation has been a model of consistency at Group 3 level without quite landing the knockout blow. She was narrowly beaten in the Scarborough Stakes and draws barrier two with Zac Lloyd aboard, so another big performance looks on the cards.
🎲 The Smokey Sanctuary
Sanctuary returned with a convincing maiden victory at Bendigo, winning by three lengths and suggesting she’s come back a better filly. The leap to Group 3 company is enormous, but Blake Shinn takes the ride and she has enough upside to give punters a decent roughie.
Race 8: Crown Oaks
🏆 Our Pick Proxima Dea
Proxima Dea has gone five from five, including a brilliant Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes victory at Randwick, and she’s the class runner in this field. Barrier 19 and the extra 500m are genuine hurdles, but if she relaxes early, her finishing power could be too much for the rest.
💰 Value Play De Armas
De Armas arrived in Melbourne and promptly took out the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes over 2000m at Flemington, which is exactly the form line you want for an Oaks. Barrier one gives her every chance to save ground, and the step to 2500m could bring out even more.
🎲 The Smokey Quick Finish
Quick Finish won the Ethereal Stakes before tackling the colts in the Victoria Derby, where she battled away for third over this very course and distance. She’s already shown she can stay 2500m, and dropping back against fillies gives her a terrific chance to upset the favourites.
Race 9: G.H. Mumm Century Stakes
🏆 Our Pick Cavalry Girl
Cavalry Girl is flying, having added the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint to an impressive preparation after running a close second in the Group 1 Moir Stakes. She’s an eight-time winner over 1000m, and Craig Williams knows exactly how to get the best out of her.
💰 Value Play Ice Kool
Ice Kool was narrowly beaten when third over 1000m at Flemington on Cox Plate Day, and that followed a Benchmark 100 victory at Warwick Farm. Damian Lane takes the reins, and his outstanding record at the short trip makes him a strong alternative to the favourite.
🎲 The Smokey Stokke
Stokke won over this track and trip on Cox Plate Day, so he arrives with the sort of straight-track form plenty of these would love to have. It’s a stronger assignment this time, but another sharp getaway could see this outsider hang around much longer than expected.
Tips prepared 3 November 2026. Check final scratchings, track conditions, riders and prices before betting. Racing predictions are opinions, not guarantees.