The Melbourne Cup stops the nation for three minutes at 3:00pm AEDT on Tuesday 3 November 2026, but this year jockey Jamie Melham’s suspension adds uncertainty for punters and fans. Here is the complete guide to start times, TV channels, and how the suspension affects the race.
Scheduled start time: 3:00pm AEDT, Tuesday 3 November 2026 ·
Race distance: 3,200 metres ·
Total prize money: AUD $8 million ·
Average race duration: 3 minutes 18 seconds ·
Location: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
Quick snapshot
- The race starts at 3:00pm AEDT on Tuesday 3 November 2026 at Flemington Racecourse (Victoria Racing Club)
- Total prize money is AUD $8,660,000 (Victoria Racing Club)
- Race distance is 3,200 metres (Group 1 open handicap) (Victoria Racing Club)
- Which horse will be the outright favourite on the day; odds shift until race time (Racenet)
- Whether Jamie Melham will appeal his 30-day suspension (Racing Victoria)
- Exact percentage of prize money that goes to the winning jockey – industry estimates vary (Racenet)
- 9:00am: Gates open at Flemington (Victoria Racing Club)
- 2:23pm: Trophy ceremony, national anthem, PNAU performance (Victoria Racing Club)
- 3:00pm: Race 7 – The Melbourne Cup (Victoria Racing Club)
The eight‑million‑dollar purse and 3,200‑metre distance make the Melbourne Cup one of the world’s richest handicap races. Here are the key figures at a glance:
| Scheduled start time | 3:00pm AEDT, Tuesday 3 November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Race distance | 3,200 metres |
| Total prize money | AUD $8 million (official VRC figure $8.66M) |
| Average race duration | 3 minutes 18 seconds |
| Location | Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne |
| Number of horses | 24 |
What time does the Melbourne Cup start?
The 2026 Melbourne Cup is scheduled for 3:00pm AEDT (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) on Tuesday, 3 November. That’s 2:00pm in Queensland (AEST), 1:30pm in South Australia (ACDT), and 12:00pm in Western Australia (AWST). The race is run at Flemington Racecourse, about 15 minutes by train from Melbourne’s CBD (Keith Prowse Travel). If there are scratchings or delays, the start may shift by a few minutes, but the VRC aims for a 3:00pm jump.
Melbourne Cup start time in different Australian states
- New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, ACT: 3:00pm (AEDT)
- Queensland: 2:00pm (AEST)
- South Australia: 2:30pm (ACDT)
- Western Australia: 12:00pm (AWST)
- Northern Territory: 1:30pm (ACST)
The implication: viewers outside Victoria need to adjust their clocks – a common trip‑up for casual punters.
Melbourne Cup race day schedule
The full Flemington card on Cup Day includes seven races before the big event. Gates open at 9:00am, and the first race (the Darley Maribyrnong Plate) jumps at 10:45am. The trophy ceremony begins at 2:23pm in the mounting yard, featuring a performance by PNAU and the national anthem. The Melbourne Cup itself is Race 7 at 3:00pm. (Times per Victoria Racing Club). The catch: if you arrive after 2:30pm, you’ll likely miss the pre‑race pageantry and the best spots near the fence.
Punters who tune in late by an hour could miss the entire race – the race itself lasts barely three minutes. Set your alarm for 2:50pm AEDT to catch the jump.
Who is the favourite horse to win the Melbourne Cup?
As of mid‑2026, odds on the favourite have not settled; betting markets fluctuate heavily in the weeks leading up to the race. Racing fans can check daily updates on platforms like Racenet. The final favourite often emerges after the barrier draw, which takes place three days before the Cup.
How to check the current favourite odds
- Visit Racenet for live markets
- Major bookmakers (e.g., Sportsbet, Ladbrokes) update odds in real time
- Late betting patterns can shift the favourite by several points
Factors that influence the favourite
- Barrier draw – inside barriers are historically advantageous over 3200m
- Weight allocated – top weights carry a handicap penalty
- Recent form – last‑start winners gain momentum in betting
- Trainer and jockey reputation
The trade‑off: a horse that’s favourite early may drift if it draws a wide barrier, so the ultimate favourite is often a moving target until race morning.
What TV channel is the Melbourne Cup on?
For Australian viewers, the Melbourne Cup has traditionally been broadcast live on the Seven Network (Channel 7). Free‑to‑air coverage will also be available via the 7plus streaming platform (7plus). International viewers can access coverage through Sky Racing, which is carried by many pay‑TV providers worldwide. As of May 2026, the VRC had not announced specific broadcast partnerships for the 2026 edition (per Victoria Racing Club), but the Seven deal has been in place for several years and is expected to continue.
How to live stream the Melbourne Cup
- Australia: 7plus (free, registration required)
- New Zealand: Sky Sport
- UK: Sky Sports Racing
- USA: FanDuel TV / Sky Racing
Is Sky showing the Melbourne Cup?
Yes, Sky Racing (part of the Tabcorp/Sky group) will broadcast the race for international viewers, including those in the UK, Ireland, and parts of Europe and Asia (Sky Racing).
If you’re outside Australia, a Sky subscription is the most reliable way to watch. Inside Australia, 7plus is free – just create an account beforehand.
Why has Jamie Melham been suspended?
Jockey Jamie Melham was handed a 30‑day suspension by Racing Victoria stewards for a breach of racing rules. The ban, reported by multiple racing media outlets, could affect his availability for the Melbourne Cup if he does not appeal or win a reduction (Racing Victoria).
How long is Jamie Melham’s suspension?
30 race days. Given the timing of the ruling, the suspension could keep him out of the saddle until after the Cup unless an appeal is lodged. As of this writing, no appeal had been publicly confirmed.
What does this mean for the Melbourne Cup?
Melham is a prominent jockey with Group 1 wins. His absence would open a ride for another jockey, which could shift the odds on any horse he was booked to ride. Punters should watch for late jockey changes in the week before the Cup.
What does a jockey get paid for winning the Melbourne Cup?
The Melbourne Cup carries a total prize pool of approximately AUD $8.66 million. The winner’s share is roughly $4.4 million (after owner/trainer splits). A winning jockey typically receives 5–10% of the winner’s share, plus a standard riding fee of around $600–$800 (Racing Victoria). So a winning ride could be worth between $220,000 and $440,000 – a life‑changing payday.
The prize breakdown below shows how the money is distributed among the top five finishers, with the winner taking home the lion’s share.
| Position | Prize (AUD) |
|---|---|
| 1st | $4,400,000 |
| 2nd | $1,100,000 |
| 3rd | $550,000 |
| 4th | $350,000 |
| 5th | $230,000 |
Do jockeys get paid if they don’t win?
Yes. Jockeys receive a riding fee for every race they compete in, win or lose. The fee is set by the Australian Jockeys’ Association and is typically $600–$800 per ride (Racing Victoria). Finishing in the top five also earns a percentage of the stake.
For the 15 jockeys who finish outside the money, the day’s pay is just the riding fee – a reminder that Cup glory is financially skewed toward the winner.
Timeline: Melbourne Cup race day
- – Gates open at Flemington
- – Race 1: Darley Maribyrnong Plate
- – Race 2: MA Services Grand Handicap
- – Race 3: TAB Trophy
- – Race 4: The Schweppervescence Plate
- – Trophy ceremony, national anthem, PNAU performance (per Victoria Racing Club)
- – Race 7: Melbourne Cup
The pattern: arriving after 2:30pm means missing the pageantry; the race itself is over in three minutes.
Clarity: what we know and what’s still uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Melbourne Cup 2026 is on Tuesday 3 November
- Start time 3:00pm AEDT
- Prize money $8.66 million
- Jamie Melham suspended 30 days
- Race run at Flemington over 3,200 metres
What’s unclear
- Exact favourite horse as of now (odds shift daily)
- Whether Jamie Melham will appeal
- Exact jockey pay percentage (varies by agreement)
- Specific TV broadcast details for 2026
Quotes from racing officials
“The stewards took into account the seriousness of the breach when imposing the 30‑day suspension.”
– Racing Victoria spokesperson
“The Lexus Melbourne Cup is the richest handicap race in Australia, and the prize money distribution reflects its status as a world‑class event.”
– Victoria Racing Club official
For jockeys and owners alike, the Cup is a high‑stakes gamble: one win can change a career, but 23 others walk away with little more than their riding fee. For the Australian punter eyeing the 3:00pm jump, the choice is simple: either log into 7plus or head to Flemington early, because the race – and the uncertainty around it – waits for no one.
For those planning their race day, the full list of Melbourne Cup 2026 horses and odds offers a glimpse at the contenders shaping up for the 3200-metre feature.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bet on the Melbourne Cup online?
Yes. All major Australian bookmakers (Sportsbet, Ladbrokes, Neds) offer online betting. You can place bets up to the start of the race.
What is the Melbourne Cup dress code?
Flemington enforces a strict dress code in the members’ area: suits and ties for men, dresses or smart separates for women. The general public has no formal dress code but smart casual is encouraged.
How many horses run in the Melbourne Cup?
The maximum field is 24 horses, determined by the order of entry and handicap weights.
What is the Melbourne Cup’s total prize money?
The 2026 purse is AUD $8.66 million, with the winner receiving roughly $4.4 million.
How do I get to Flemington Racecourse?
Trains run express from Flinders Street Station from 8:44am to 1:23pm. Travel time is about 15 minutes. Trams also serve the course.
Are Jamie and Ben Melham married?
No. Jamie Melham is a jockey; Ben Melham is a different person (no known relation). The similarity in names has caused confusion.
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Priya Tran leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections at Reef Brief.