Caulfield Cup 2026 Tips and Race Guide

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The 2026 Caulfield Cup is run on Saturday 17 October 2026 at Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne. It is the 150th running of the race, a 2400 metre Group 1 handicap, with prizemoney and trophies at a record $6.55 million. This page carries the race details, the field and barriers as they are announced, and Dean McHugh’s tips, updated through race week.

Result: Kingswood won the 150th Caulfield Cup on Saturday 17 October 2026, ridden by John Allen for trainer Gavin Bedggood, from Saint George and Enfjaar.

Part of the 2026 Spring Racing Carnival. It shares the afternoon with The Everest at Randwick, which makes 17 October the biggest Saturday of the spring.

Race details

When is the Caulfield Cup 2026?

Saturday 17 October 2026, the third Saturday of October, which is its traditional slot. It closes the Caulfield spring carnival, two weeks after the Caulfield Guineas meeting and one week before the Cox Plate.

Why is the 2026 Caulfield Cup special?

It is the 150th edition. The first Caulfield Cup was run in 1879, and the 2026 race carries a record $6.55 million in prizemoney and trophies to mark the milestone. It is also the last major meeting at Caulfield before the track is fully resurfaced: after Cup Day the Saturday meetings on 14 and 28 November move to Sandown while the work is done.

Where is the Caulfield Cup run?

Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne’s south-east, about 12 kilometres from the CBD. The 2400 metre start is near the top of the back straight, and the race is known for its tight turns and short straight, which rewards horses that settle close to the pace.

How does the Caulfield Cup lead into the Melbourne Cup?

The Caulfield Cup is the traditional path to the Melbourne Cup two and a half weeks later, and the Caulfield Cup winner earns a ballot exemption for it. Horses that run well over 2400 metres here often start favourite at Flemington. Some contenders take the alternative route through the Cox Plate the following Saturday.

Caulfield Cup 2026: the first three

Kingswood (barrier 17, John Allen, trained by Gavin Bedggood) won from Saint George (barrier 2, Craig Williams, trained by Ciaron Maher) and Enfjaar (barrier 1, Ray Dawson, trained by Roger Varian). The 2027 field and barrier draw will be published here in race week next October.

Caulfield Cup tips

Dean McHugh’s tips for the 2027 Caulfield Cup will be published here in race week next October.

Until then, read Dean’s Saturday previews through the carnival on our racing tips page.

Past Caulfield Cup winners

Betting on Caulfield Cup Day

With the Caulfield Cup and The Everest on the same afternoon, a lot of punters bet across both cards. Our guide to Australian betting apps covers live vision and fixed odds on the day, and how quickly each bookmaker pays out. Set a deposit limit before the day starts. If gambling is a problem for you or someone you know, call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 or visit betstop.gov.au.