Australian Cup 2026 Betting Tips

We have expert horse racing tips for the Australian Cup at Flemington on Saturday, which features a quality field of middle-distance Group 1 runners.

It takes place at Race 8 at 4:15pm, and we have a runner-by-runner betting guide available for the big race.

The race features the likes of Tom Kitten, Birdman, and Pride of Jenni, and the best Australian betting sites have value odds available!

Our best bets for the Australian Cup

Best Bet

Best Each Way

Best Roughie

Australian Cup Tips for Trifecta

Punters should have five runners on their ticket for the Australian Cup trifecta. We recommend taking a boxed percentage trifecta. Spend what you want, and the payouts can be massive.

• Tom Kitten
• Leica Lucy
• Sabaj
• Birdman
• Pride of Jenni

Australian Cup First-Four Tips

We have included six runners for our Australian Cup first-four. Boxing all six selections for a percentage can still result in a huge payout, and you spend what you want.

• Tom Kitten
• Leica Lucy
• Sabaj
• Birdman
• Pride of Jenni
• Apulia

Australian Cup Form Guide & Tips

(1) Tom Kitten (Best Bet – $3.90)

He has come of age this preparation with back-to-back wins, and we’re surprised that he’s not favoured to win.

He will find a spot from barrier 12, and he’s always around the mark at the top of the straight. We’re happy to put him as our top pick to win the Australian Cup.

(2) Light Infantry Man ($17.00)

It was good seeing him return to form two starts back. He will need to repeat that effort to have any chance, and there might be too much depth for him in this race.

(3) Apulia ($12.00)

A first four chance following a quality second placing behind Birdman. That was a nice effort over 1800m, and rising in distance only helps his chances.

The $12 odds are generous enough to include him in Australian Cup picks.

(4) Just Fine ($46.00)

He was better when running third at Rosehill, but he will lead and likely be run down halfway down the straight.

(5) Birdman ($3.80)

He comes off a good win at Caulfield, and there has been good early betting support come his way. That can’t be ignored, and he has gone to another level this preparation.

He’s not our top pick, but we’re not leaving him out.

(6) Sabaj (Best Roughie – $13.00)

His run for fourth behind Tom Kitten was excellent, and he didn’t get all favours close to the line.

It was the run of a horse with loads of upside, and although it’s tough at Group 1 level, he hasn’t done much wrong throughout his 11-race career.

He tends to go under the radar, so take the odds.

(7) Mark Twain ($46.00)

Third behind Birdman at $101 odds last start. That doesn’t say much for the runners he beat, and he’s looking for longer distances now.

(8) Pride of Jenni ($4.60)

We love the way she fought bravely after being headed at Flemington. That might be partly due to the inside bias, but it was a gutsy effort regardless.

It’s hard to know what she will produce, and we would love to see her spread the field because that’s when she performs at her best.

(9) Damask Rose ($31.00)

The 2025 NZB Kiwi winner hasn’t found her feet in Australia. A couple of OK placings, but nothing to report home about.

She might be best suited to listed company.

(10) Leica Lucy (Best Each Way – $7.00)

Her best form in New Zealand came when sitting on the speed, so it’s interesting to see her ridden off the pace in Australia.

Having Pride of Jenni in the field doesn’t help with being on the speed, but she’s due a big win, and she’s far too good to keep finding a few runners better.

(11) Basilinna ($201.00)

Massive odds and little chance to win.

(12) Philia ($46.00)

Better for three runs this preparation, but she needs to find 4-5 lengths just to be competitive.