The 2026 Caulfield Cup is a Group 1 handicap over 2400 metres at Caulfield, run as Race 9 at 5:15pm AEDT on Saturday 17 October 2026 for $6,000,000 plus trophies. It is the 150th running. Cosmic Crusader is the $6.50 favourite, with Saint George at $8.00 and Zahrann at $8.00. Punt Hub's best bet is No. 2 Cosmic Crusader, the Turnbull Stakes winner, who drops 2kg from that run and has William Pike aboard.
Eighteen runners and four emergencies accepted, and Ciaron Maher trains eight of them. Half Yours, last year's Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup winner, is top weight with 57.5kg. Caulfield is expected to be a Good track. All odds below are Punt Hub's best displayed win prices. Follow the live market on the Punt Hub Caulfield Cup race page.
Caulfield Cup 2026 tips at a glance
Best bet: 2. Cosmic Crusader (barrier 17, 56kg, William Pike). Win, $6.50 best displayed.
Punt Hub selection: 2.
Caulfield Cup 2026 key facts
Race detail | 2026 Caulfield Cup |
|---|---|
Date | Saturday 17 October 2026 (Caulfield Cup Day) |
Venue | Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne VIC |
Race | Race 9, Caulfield Cup (Group 1), 150th running |
Start time | 5:15pm AEDT |
Distance | 2400 metres, turf, anticlockwise |
Conditions | Handicap, three-year-olds and upwards |
Prizemoney | $6,000,000 plus $550,000 in trophies ($3,300,000 to the winner) |
Field | 18 runners and four emergencies |
Weights | 57.5kg (Half Yours) down to 51kg (Kings Valley) |
Track | Good 4 at Wednesday's meeting, rail out 3 metres |
Forecast | 5% chance of rain, top of 25°C |
Last year's winner | Half Yours ($2.50), 52.5kg, barrier 2 |
All times are AEDT. The race starts at 5:15pm in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and Hobart, 4:45pm in Adelaide, 4:15pm in Brisbane and 2:15pm in Perth.
Caulfield Cup 2026 field, barriers and odds
The table lists each runner's barrier, weight, jockey, trainer and recent form. Odds are Punt Hub's best displayed win price across the bookmakers Punt Hub compares. Barriers will move in if emergencies are scratched.
No. | Horse | Barrier | Kg | Jockey | Trainer | Form | Win odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Half Yours | 7 | 57.5 | Mark Zahra | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | 1x65 | $13 |
2 | Cosmic Crusader (NZ) | 17 | 56 | William Pike | Andrea Leek | 11321 | $6.50 |
3 | Treasurethe Moment | 5 | 55.5 | Daniel Stackhouse | Matt Laurie | 34x313x4025 | $23 |
4 | Kingswood (GB) | 20 | 55 | John Allen | Gavin Bedggood | 2814125x144 | $26 |
5 | Knight's Choice | 22 | 55 | Robbie Dolan | John Symons & Sheila Laxon | x93 | $31 |
6 | Middle Earth (GB) | 11 | 55 | Thomas Stockdale | Ciaron Maher | x78 | $31 |
7 | Enfjaar (IRE) | 1 | 54.5 | Ray Dawson | Roger Varian | 3x1 | $11 |
8 | Green Spaces | 18 | 54.5 | Rachel King | Bjorn Baker | 1x04 | $34 |
9 | Royal Supremacy (IRE) | 8 | 54.5 | Jamie Spencer | Ciaron Maher | x91 | $13 |
10 | Wine Dark Sea (GB) | 19 | 54.5 | Damian Lane | Harry Charlton | 1x11 | $9.00 |
11 | Asterix | 10 | 53.5 | Beau Mertens | Chris Waller | x30 | $51 |
12 | Saint George (IRE) | 2 | 53.5 | Craig Williams | Ciaron Maher | x20 | $8.00 |
13 | Starford (IRE) | 15 | 53.5 | Lachlan Neindorf | Joseph O'Brien | 1x3 | $18 |
14 | She's A Hustler | 6 | 53 | Michael Dee | Grahame Begg | x57 | $16 |
15 | Soul Of Spain (IRE) | 13 | 53 | Tyler Schiller | Chris Waller | 2x6837 | $34 |
16 | Zahrann (IRE) | 4 | 53 | Ethan Brown | Ciaron Maher | x10 | $8.00 |
17 | Ohope Wins (NZ) | 16 | 51.5 | Jye McNeil | Chris Waller | 1x96 | $20 |
18 | Kings Valley (IRE) | 12 | 51 | Jabez Johnstone | Ciaron Maher | x79 | $26 |
Emergencies: 19. The Euphrates (52.5kg, barrier 9, $15), 20. Juja Kibo (52kg, barrier 14, $15), 21. Point Of Law (51kg, barrier 21, $26) and 22. Mr Monaco (51kg, barrier 3, $41). They run only if horses above them are scratched.
Scratchings close on race morning. Check the live Caulfield Cup odds before you bet.
Caulfield Cup 2026 market overview
Cosmic Crusader heads the market at $6.50, but this is an open Cup: Saint George ($8.00), Zahrann ($8.00) and Wine Dark Sea ($9.00) are all single figures, and 10 runners are $20 or shorter. Treasurethe Moment has been the big firmer, in from $31 to $23. Cosmic Crusader has drifted from $5.00 to $6.50.
Five of the last seven winners started at single figures, including Half Yours ($2.50) last year. But Durston ($18) in 2022 and Boom Time ($51) in 2017 show it can still surprise.
Our Caulfield Cup best bet: Cosmic Crusader
Cosmic Crusader is the form horse of the spring, and he gets into the Cup with 56kg after beating last year's winner by six lengths. The wide gate and the unknown trip are real questions, but he has the class and fitness to answer them.
The Turnbull was the best lead-up form
He won the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on 3 October by 1.75 lengths from Light Infantry Man, with Aeliana third, in 2:04.44 on a Heavy 8 track at $8. Half Yours was fifth, six lengths behind him, with 1kg more. Sir Delius was behind him too. The Turnbull is the strongest Caulfield Cup lead-up, and Incentivise (2021) was the last to win both.
Well in at the weights
He carried 58kg in the Turnbull and 59kg when second to Birdman in the Underwood. Here he carries 56kg, 1.5kg less than Half Yours. The handicapper has let him in lightly for a dual Group 1 winner. Trainer Andrea Leek called him "the fittest in the field" before the Turnbull.
Caulfield suits him
He has had four starts at Caulfield for two wins, a second and a third, including the Bletchingly and PB Lawrence Stakes this spring. He has won 11 of 22 starts, on good, soft and heavy tracks.
The case against
He has never raced beyond 2000 metres. Barrier 17 is awkward: Pike must either use him early to find a spot or ride him cold from the back, and owner Bob Peters admitted his "confidence was dented a bit" by the draw. He also goes from a heavy track to a good one. On the other hand, Mer De Glace (2019) won from barrier 17, and eight winners since 2004 have jumped from double-figure gates.
Caulfield Cup 2026 contenders and form analysis
2. Cosmic Crusader ($6.50)
Bob Peters' six-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding moved from Western Australia to Andrea Leek this year and has won three of five since: the Bletchingly, the PB Lawrence and the Turnbull. The Turnbull was his first start at 2000 metres.
16. Zahrann ($8.00)
Ciaron Maher's import won the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on a Good 3 by a length from Saint George, then was 11th in the Turnbull, beaten 18 lengths on the heavy track. He drops from 56.5kg to 53kg and draws barrier 4. A dry track and the Naturalism path, which Half Yours used last year, put him next in the market.
12. Saint George ($8.00)
Second to Zahrann in the Naturalism, then 10th in the Turnbull on the heavy. He gets 53.5kg, barrier 2 and Craig Williams, but has yet to win a stakes race.
10. Wine Dark Sea ($9.00)
Harry Charlton's four-year-old has won three of his four starts this year, including the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes (2715m) at Newbury carrying 61kg. All three wins came on good ground. He has 54.5kg, barrier 19 and Damian Lane, who won this race on Mer De Glace in 2019.
7. Enfjaar ($11)
Roger Varian's import won the Group 3 Glorious Stakes (2414m) at Goodwood by 1.3 lengths at his last start in August. He has 54.5kg, barrier 1 and Ray Dawson, who has flown out for the ride. No horse has won from barrier 1 since 2000.
1. Half Yours ($13)
Last year's Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup winner has 57.5kg, 5kg more than when he won. He was sixth in the Makybe Diva and fifth in the Turnbull this spring, beaten six lengths by Cosmic Crusader. Best Solution (57.5kg, 2018) is the only winner since 2014 to carry more than 55.5kg.
The rest of the field
Ohope Wins ($20) has 51.5kg and has won both her starts at 2400 metres, the New Zealand and Australian Oaks. Royal Supremacy ($13) won the JRA Cup from the front and drops 5.5kg. She's A Hustler ($16) maps for a soft run from barrier 6 and won the Zipping Classic over 2400 metres last year. Kingswood ($26) ran fourth in the Underwood and Might And Power. Knight's Choice ($31) was third in the Herbert Power from barrier 22.
Caulfield Cup 2026 speed map and barriers
Position | Runners |
|---|---|
Leaders | Royal Supremacy (8), Treasurethe Moment (5) |
On or near the pace | She's A Hustler (6), Kings Valley (12), Kingswood (20), Wine Dark Sea (19) |
Midfield | Cosmic Crusader (17), Zahrann (4), Saint George (2), Enfjaar (1), Half Yours (7), Middle Earth (11) |
Back | Ohope Wins (16), Knight's Choice (22), Green Spaces (18), Starford (15), Soul Of Spain (13), Asterix (10) |
Royal Supremacy led throughout to win the JRA Cup and should lead again, with Treasurethe Moment and She's A Hustler handy from inside draws. Kingswood and Wine Dark Sea will push forward from wide. Expect Pike to let Cosmic Crusader find his feet and settle midfield with cover. With 18 runners and a short run to the first turn, expect a genuine tempo.
History says… Eight winners between 2004 and 2025 started from double-figure barriers, including Mer De Glace from 17 in 2019 and Incentivise from the outside gate in 2021. No horse has won from barrier 1, 12, 14 or 16 since 2000.
Caulfield track condition and weather for the Caulfield Cup
Caulfield raced on a Good 4 on Wednesday, with the rail out 3 metres for Saturday. The Bureau of Meteorology forecast is dry: a 5% chance of rain on Saturday, with a top of 25°C. Expect a Good 4, possibly upgraded to Good 3 during the day. Recheck the rating on race morning.
A dry track changes the Turnbull form. Cosmic Crusader has won five of 15 on good tracks and five of six on soft. Zahrann, Saint George and Ohope Wins were all well beaten on the heavy at Flemington and should be better on firm ground.
Caulfield Cup trends and statistics
We analysed every Caulfield Cup from 2010 to 2025.
Weight: 11 of the 16 winners carried 55.5kg or less. Only Admire Rakti (58kg, 2014) and Best Solution (57.5kg, 2018) carried more than 55.5kg to win since 2012.
Barriers: eight winners between 2004 and 2025 jumped from double-figure gates, including Mer De Glace (17) and Incentivise (18).
Price: five of the last seven winners started at single figures. Boom Time ($51, 2017) is the longest-priced recent winner.
The Turnbull: Incentivise (2021) is the last horse to win the Turnbull Stakes and the Caulfield Cup in the same spring.
Internationals: six overseas-trained horses have won since 1998, the last two being Best Solution (2018) and Mer De Glace (2019).
Trainers: Ciaron Maher has won twice (Jameka 2016, Duke De Sessa 2024) and Chris Waller twice (Verry Elleegant 2020, Durston 2022).
Recent Caulfield Cup winners
Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Barrier | Kg | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 | Half Yours | Jamie Melham | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | 2 | 52.5 | $2.50 |
2024 | Duke De Sessa | Harry Coffey | Ciaron Maher | 5 | 52 | $11.00 |
2023 | Without A Fight | Mark Zahra | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 7 | 55.5 | $8.50 |
2022 | Durston | Michael Dee | Chris Waller | 6 | 51.5 | $18.00 |
2021 | Incentivise | Brett Prebble | Peter Moody | 18 | 55.5 | $2.30 |
2020 | Verry Elleegant | Mark Zahra | Chris Waller | 8 | 55 | $5.00 |
2019 | Mer De Glace | Damian Lane | Hisashi Shimizu | 17 | 55.5 | $8.00 |
2018 | Best Solution | Pat Cosgrave | Saeed bin Suroor | 15 | 57.5 | $12.00 |
2017 | Boom Time | Cory Parish | David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig | 3 | 52 | $51.00 |
2016 | Jameka | Nicholas Hall | Ciaron Maher | 11 | 52.5 | $4.30 |
In 2025, Half Yours beat River Of Stars, with Valiant King third, in 2:29.05.
Caulfield Cup history
The Caulfield Cup was first run in 1879 and has been a 2400-metre handicap, or its imperial equivalent, from the start. It became a Group 1 in 1979. During World War II it was run at Flemington.
Rising Fast (1954 and 1955) and Ming Dynasty (1977 and 1980) are among seven dual winners. Thirteen horses have won the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup in the same year, from Poseidon in 1906 to Without A Fight in 2023 and Half Yours last year. Bart Cummings trained a record seven winners.
The 150th running carries record prizemoney of $6 million, up $1 million on last year, plus $550,000 in trophies. The race has become more international since Taufan's Melody won in 1998, with six overseas winners, and this year three European raiders take on the locals. The market is leaning on the Turnbull Stakes and Naturalism Stakes form, with Cosmic Crusader and Zahrann at the top, while Half Yours is trying to become the first dual winner since Ming Dynasty.
Caulfield Cup 2026 prizemoney
1st: $3,300,000, plus trophies worth $550,000
2nd: $800,000
3rd: $400,000
4th: $220,000
5th: $170,000
6th: $130,000
7th to 10th: $125,000 each
11th to 18th: $60,000 each
Caulfield Cup 2026 frequently asked questions
When is the 2026 Caulfield Cup?
The 2026 Caulfield Cup is Race 9 at Caulfield on Saturday 17 October 2026, starting at 5:15pm AEDT. It is the 150th running.
What distance is the Caulfield Cup?
The Caulfield Cup is run over 2400 metres at Caulfield as a handicap for three-year-olds and upwards. Weights this year range from 57.5kg to 51kg.
Who is the favourite for the 2026 Caulfield Cup?
Cosmic Crusader is the favourite at $6.50, ahead of Saint George at $8.00 and Zahrann at $8.00. These are Punt Hub's best displayed odds.
What are Punt Hub's tips for the 2026 Caulfield Cup?
Punt Hub's tip is No. 2 Cosmic Crusader, the Turnbull Stakes winner, who drops to 56kg and has William Pike to ride from barrier 17.
Can Cosmic Crusader win from barrier 17?
Yes, but it makes it harder. Mer De Glace won the 2019 Caulfield Cup from barrier 17, and eight winners since 2004 have started from double-figure barriers.
How much prizemoney is the Caulfield Cup worth?
The 2026 Caulfield Cup is worth $6,000,000 plus $550,000 in trophies, with $3,300,000 to the winner, $800,000 for second and $400,000 for third.
Who won the Caulfield Cup in 2025?
Half Yours won the 2025 Caulfield Cup at $2.50 for Tony and Calvin McEvoy and jockey Jamie Melham, carrying 52.5kg, then won the Melbourne Cup. He carries 57.5kg this year.
What is the track condition at Caulfield for the Caulfield Cup?
Caulfield raced on a Good 4 on Wednesday, and the forecast is dry, so expect a Good track, possibly upgraded to Good 3 during the day. Recheck the rating on race morning.
How many runners are in the 2026 Caulfield Cup?
Eighteen horses are in the field, with four emergencies: The Euphrates, Juja Kibo, Point Of Law and Mr Monaco. Ciaron Maher trains eight of the 22 acceptors.
Does the Caulfield Cup winner go to the Melbourne Cup?
Often. The Caulfield Cup is a qualifying race for the Melbourne Cup, 17 days later, and 13 horses have won both in the same year, most recently Half Yours in 2025.
How to watch the Caulfield Cup
Watch live on Channel 7 and stream free on 7plus. The Melbourne Racing Club sells tickets for Caulfield Cup Day.