2023 Melbourne Cup form guide – tips for every race

We’re back! It’s the race that stops the nation and, in 2023, it’s going to be an absolute classic.

Not sure who to back? Not to worry, as we take you through the best selections and some value runners in Tuesday’s 10-race card at the glorious Flemington racecourse.

RACE 1 – Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m)

Admitted, who is one of just three horses with race experience in this field, was far too strong for his rivals in his impressive debut win for James Cummings over this same trip at 1000m. He never looked like losing then, gets James McDonald in the saddle and deserves to be a short price. Dublin Down also comes out of that race and, while he was no match for the winner, put a gap on third and should improve third-up. Blue Stratum looks a really smart colt with plenty of speed and was strong from start to finish in his recent jumpout win at Terang, while you have to respect the trainer/jockey combinations of fellow debutants Odinson and Catoggio.

Top selections:

1. Admitted
4. Blue Stratum
7. Odinson
5. Catoggio

RACE 2 – Furphy Plate (1800m)

Forgot You comes out of the JRA Cup where he finished third behind the in-form Ain’tnodeeldun at the Valley. He was slow out of the gates that day and settled last, but was able to hit the line very strongly once he found clear air, recording the fastest last 200 metres of the race. He’ll be ideally suited by the wider Flemington track and should feature in the finish. Lord Vladivostok has been racing really well. He was luckless in the Group 2 Damien Oliver on Derby Day and before that got too far back in the Murray Bridge Cup where he was excellent through the line. He’s ideally suited by the step up in trip and looks a key winning chance on the quick backup. Mr Maestro is a danger who can win without surprise second-up, and Pounding steps down in class.

Top selections:

4. Forgot You
6. Lord Vladivostok
7. Mr Maestro
1. Pounding

RACE 3 – TAB Trophy (1800m)

Aztec State was a strong winner on debut over 1500m before heading to Caulfield and running third after being held up at a crucial stage on the turn. He still found the line well with the fastest final furlong, and every sign indicates he’ll relish Flemington and 1800m. He’s the one to beat. It’s a similar story with Queen Of Dragons. The filly for Peter and Paul Snowden lost momentum at a crucial stage in the Callander-Presnell at Randwick, having to cross the heels of the slowing leaders down the straight and needing to make up too much ground by the time she found clear running. She closed off well and went better than the seventh-placed finish suggests.

Top selections:

2. Aztec State
10. Queen Of Dragons
7. Warmonger
3. Binotto

RACE 4 – The Schweppervescence Plate (1000m)

It’s hard to ignore Barber here. The three-year-old colt comes through the Roman Consul Stakes at Rosehill where he was slowly away but kept on well when asked for an effort late. He was two lengths off King’s Gambit then and also finished behind eventual Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Ozzmosis, so the form stacks up and he steps down in class to tackle a race he can definitely win third-up. Stablemate Stanislaus can also be a major player having beaten home Doull in his most recent start — a horse that has since franked the form with a win over subsequent Derby Day winner Spacewalk in the Group 2 McCafe Sprint two weeks ago. Jewel Bay has won two races this prep, is rock hard fit, drops in weight and will give himself every chance on speed, but does come up against tougher rivals here.

Top selections:

1. Barber
3. Stanislaus
8. Revalene
4. Jewel Bay

RACE 5 – The Macca’s Run (2800m)

Happy to put Insulation on top here in a race that really doesn’t excite. Last start he was second behind Pesto at Caulfield over 2400m as a $1.80 favourite but was caught three-wide until the 1700m when he had to be restrained to the back of the field. He let down well but was inevitably too far back and couldn’t reel in the winner, who subsequently ran an unlucky seventh in the Bendigo Cup to Melbourne Cup starter Interpretation. Garachico meets both King’s Crossing and Commando Drift far better at the weights after their previous start in Geelong, and Mr Waterville has been in far tougher races than this and was recently solid when beaten under a length to the likes of Amade, Ashrun and Sir Lucan in the Geelong Cup.

Top selections:

12. Insulation
3. Mr Waterville
10. Garachico
13. Commando Drift

RACE 6 – Subzero Handicap (1400m)

Platinum Wolf’s first-up run was as eye-catching as it gets, held up until the 300m and making up significant ground to fall one stride short of a win at Murray Bridge. Second-up he ran a disappointing third as the favourite but boasts a turn of…