The 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup promises to be a clash for the ages as the locals will try and stave off an unprecedented assault on the event from Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien.

The 33-year-old training maestro has already won two Melbourne Cups having trained Rekindling (2017) and Twilight Payment (2020) and he will have multiple runners as he’s sent the strongest squad by any overseas trainer to tackle the Lexus Melbourne Cup.

O’Brien can boast of three of the top four in the betting with Group 2 Prix De Kergorlay (3000m) winner, Defiantly, who is current favourite after winning a golden ticket in August at Deauville.

He also has second favourite Trustyourinstinct and James J Braddock who is equal third favourite.

He also has accomplished stayer Sons And Lovers high up in betting markets and last year’s runner-up Goodie Two Shoes.

He has other contenders remaining in the current stage of declarations and he could have up to a record nine runners.

Japan will also be represented by classy stayer Stinger Glass who won the Group 3 Diamond Stakes (3400m) at Tokyo in February.

The English stayers are headed by Caulfield Cup placegetter Enfjaar and emerging prospect Hopewell Rock.

Where does that leave the locals?

Ciaron Maher could match and even usurp O’Brien’s attack on the race as he had 14 horses paid up as second acceptors.

Maher has two of the best local chances in his care with Caulfield Cup runner-up Saint George and Mr Monaco, who won The Lexus Bart Cummings which also carried a golden ticket exemption into the Lexus Melbourne Cup, as well as last year’s third placegetter Middle Earth, Kings Valley, Zahrann and import Point Of Law.

Tough staying mare Shockletz will try to emulate her sire Shocking who won the Melbourne Cup in 2009 after winning the Archer Stakes (Hotham Handicap), which was then run on Victoria Derby Day.

Her win in the Lexus Archer Stakes guaranteed her spot in the Cup. The race moved to Crown Makybe Diva Stakes Day in 2024 and was renamed the Archer Stakes.

Chris Waller has eight horses still in the running headed by Aeliana, Pinhole, Birdman and Valiant King.

Astute trainer Grahame Begg will have his first Lexus Melbourne Cup runner with Zakouma, who won his way into the race by winning the golden ticket in the Listed Lexus Andrew Ramsden (2800m) in May.

The 2024 Cup winner Knight’s Choice is also likely to start and if he does his co-trainer Sheila Laxon will be out to defend her perfect Melbourne Cup record.

As it stands Laxon, who co-trains Knight’s Choice with John Symons, is the only trainer in Melbourne Cup history to have saddled up two runners for two winners as she trained Ethereal to win in 2001.

We take a look at some of the contenders from home and abroad.

Meet the contenders

POINT OF LAW (GB)

4YO Bay Gelding | Frankel (GB) - Portfolio (JPN) (Deep Impact (JPN)
Trainers: Ciaron Maher (Werribee IHC)
Weight: 51kg
Career: 5:3-1-0 | $578,200
Record at Flemington: No starts
Record at 3200m: No starts

Ciaron Maher has another golden ticket winner to add to his impressive line-up of Lexus Melbourne Cup runners. The northern hemisphere three-year-old made an impressive Australian debut, winning the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m). At just his fifth career start, the gelding contested an early hot speed with race favourite, The Euphrates, but kicked clear from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained runner shortly after straightening, holding off the efforts of Small Fry and Omni Man, who were both chasing golden tickets for Irish trainer, Joseph O'Brien. He now boasts three wins from his fledgling career including the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy (2615m) at Newmarket after a credible fourth placing in the Group 2 Queen's Vase over 2846 metres at Royal Ascot. Currently allotted 51kg for the Lexus Melbourne Cup, he's almost certain to receive a weight penalty but has shot to outright favouritism for the great race.

ENFJAAR (IRE)

7YO Bay Gelding | Lope de Vega (IRE) - Tesoro (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Trainers: Roger Varian (Newmarket (GB))
Weight: 56kg
Career: 16:5-2-2 | $488,181
Record at Flemington: No starts
Record at 3200m: No starts

English stayer Enfjaar finished third in the Caulfield Cup in a display which suggests the Lexus Melbourne Cup is firmly on the Roger Varian trained stayer’s radar. He raced on speed and looked a great winning chance but was only outsprinted by Kingswood and Saint George. He’s now had two starts over 2400m for a win at Group 3 level at Goodwood and then his Caulfield Cup placing. Caulfield Cup is always a great guide to the Lexus Melbourne Cup so he will be one of the major players, having his first try at 3200 metres.

SHOCKLETZ (NZ)

5YO Bay Mare | Shocking - Zelt (Red Ransom (USA))
Trainers: Ciaron Maher (Cranbourne)
Weight: 51kg
Career: 19:7-2-1 | $596,875
Record at Flemington: 8:3-1-0
Record at 3200m: No starts

Her sire Shocking won the race in 2009 and her trainer Ciaron Maher has also tasted success in the race with Gold Trip in 2022. She secured a spot in the Melbourne Cup by winning the Archer Stakes (2500m) in September at Flemington. In an interesting twist Shocking also won the Archer Stakes which was known as the Hotham Handicap which was run four days to the Melbourne Cup and carried the only win and you’re in tag in those days. That race was renamed The Archer and shifted to the Makybe Diva Stakes program in 2024. Shockletz has won three times over 2500m and she finished strongly at her only defeat at the trip when she finished sixth in the Herbert Power Stakes. Maher is likely to put blinkers back on her when she contests the Melbourne Cup.

MR MONACO (GB)

6YO Bay Gelding | Territories (IRE) - Alle Stelle (GB) (Sea The Stars (IRE))
Trainers: Ciaron Maher (Cranbourne)
Weight: 52.5kg
Career: 19:6-2-1 | $606,550
Record at Flemington: 1:1-0-0
Record at 3200m: 1:0-0-0

Ciaron Maher ensured he had another Lexus Melbourne Cup runner when his stayer Mr Monaco took out The Lexus Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington in early October on a suitable rain affected track. The former English galloper has shown glimpses of his staying ability since joining the Maher stable in mid-2025 but has really started to hit his straps this year. He took out the Group 3 N.E. Manion Cup on a soft Rosehill track over 2400 metres in March. Could make his presence felt if the track softens for Cup week.

For the rest of the Melbourne Cup contenders, CLICK HERE.