Caulfield Cup 2026 Betting Tips

The Caulfield Cup is a Group 1 race this Saturday at Caulfield, and it’s one of the biggest staying races in the world. A full field takes place in the 2400m feature race, where punters get an even betting market to invest in. Cosmic Crusader is the current favourite to win, and there is a good mix of local and international runners looking to scoop the big prize.

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Best Each Way

Best Roughie

Caulfield Cup Tips for Trifecta

Punters should have six runners on their ticket for the Caulfield Cup trifecta.

• Wine Dark Sea 
• She’s a Hustler 
• Knight’s Choice 
• Cosmic Crusader 
• Zahrann 
• Royal Supremacy 

Caulfield Cup First-Four Tips

We have included eight runners for our Caulfield Cup first-four. Boxing all eight selections gives punters a good chance of collecting the first four dividends. 

• Wine Dark Sea 
• She’s a Hustler 
• Knight’s Choice 
• Cosmic Crusader 
• Zahrann 
• Royal Supremacy 
• Half Yours 
• Kingswood 

Caulfield Cup Runner-By-Runner Guide

The defending Caulfield Cup champion, and despite rising in weight for this edition, he can’t be discounted at the odds.

He’s not in our top picks, but we’re happy to include a runner of his class in our first-four picks.

The current favourite at $5, which is fractionally too short for our liking. However, he’s enjoying a big season so far, and if he can handle the rise to 2400m, he should run well.

He’s another runner we’re not prepared to leave out of Caulfield Cup prediction, so include him in exotics.

She hasn’t been at her best since suffering a setback last season, and it’s heart alone that’s seeing her race competitively.

Her placing behind Pride of Jenni two back was good, but over 2400m, she could struggle to see out the trip this time around.

A fit runner after three good runs this prep. Wasn’t there to win last week, and getting that run under his belt is ideal preparation.

His fresh up win was excellent, and he’s a runner we want to include in our picks.

He finds his best form during the spring, and the 2024 Melbourne Cup winner ran a blinder last week.

He finished third without getting much room over the concluding stages, and that’s an excellent form guide for the Caulfield Cup, so we’re snapping up the $41 odds.

He is a runner that can’t be overlooked, but we’re not including him in picks for two reasons.

He has yet to win or place from six attempts at Caulfield, and we think he’s being set for the Melbourne Cup over 3200m. Therefore, there are better options in this race.

International form can be tough to line up, but he looks like a nice enough type from the Roger Varian stable, and overseas runners have a good record in this race.

He’s a five-time winner from 16 starts, but winning this race fresh up could prove difficult. A betting move would be a good guide, and there has been some specking for him. Consider at the odds.

Not a bad run for fourth last start, but some of these might have too much class for him. The odds are warranted.

He comes off a win at Caulfield when carrying a much bigger weight, so dropping to 54.5kg is ideal. He has been well-backed to win, and he could show up for the in-form Ciaron Maher stable.

Jamie Spencer comes to ride, and his international experience could take him close.

Harry Charlton brings over Wine Dark Sea, who is a runner that profiles well for the Caulfield Cup, which is why he’s on top.

We love betting on four-year-old European runners, and he was too good for Dubai Honour last start, so that win rates highly.

Barrier 19 won’t matter over 2400m, and the $9 is a good price from bookies.

The former Kiwi can be a bit dour, and that was shown last time out. Based on that effort, we can’t include him in our picks.

Disappointing effort last time out, and our fear is that late-winter form isn’t going to stack up in the spring.

The $8.50 is way too short for our liking, and although there is market confidence, we’re happy to make room for runners at better odds.

An international runner from the powerful Joseph O’Brien stable. They are always tough to leave out, but his form doesn’t excite us.

There is better value elsewhere.

She’s a Hustler has been costly for punters this year, but she’s nearing a big performance, and it could come over 2400m.

She has been racing against slick middle-distance types, and there isn’t the same level of speed in this race, so that suits her perfectly.

$16 is a good price, and she is attracting attention at odds.

His form this season has been mixed, but he would need to find 5-6 lengths to be competitive here.

Not suited by the track conditions last start, so punters should expect a bounce back effort.

We’re not thrilled by the odds, because he’s a young stayer, and this race might have come up too soon for him. However, back on a firmer surface, he can’t be overlooked as a first-four chance.

A dual-Oaks winner that is down on confidence after three struggling efforts. Rising to 2400m suits, but she is a take on trust type now.

His form has also tapered off this season, and he might be looking for something easier now.

He is likely to sit on the speed and look to kick away at the top of the straight. However, this is a rise in class from his recent assignments in NSW, and he could tire late.

We liked the way he found the line to score last time out against some progressive stayers. Not the worst chance in this, and his odds could drift to a more backable price.

A former European, now with the Maher stable. Four starts for two wins, and 51kg is a bonus. However, inexperience is tough to overlook, and he could struggle against this company.

A last-start winner at big odds. Unsure if he deserves to be so long in the betting, but he’s not in our picks.

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