Melbourne Cup Stocktake: Shockletz firms after golden ticket run

After scoring at Flemington last Saturday in the Group 3 Lexus Archer Stakes, Shockletz has secured a golden ticket to the 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup.

The daughter of the 2009 winner, Shocking, is the first to earn a spot in ‘the race that stops the nation’.

The feature on the first Tuesday in November (November 3) will have a total prize money eclipsing $10 million.

As more horses’ secure spots, it is a good chance to size up the 166th edition of the great race.

Shockletz

Taking out the Archer Stakes in flying fashion, the five-year-old Ciaron Maher trained mare now has cemented herself in the Melbourne Cup market.

Maher credited the major victory to the application of blinkers for the first time in her 18-start career.

The gear changes obviously proved successful putting over two lengths on the crafty field.

Shockletz is currently at a price of $15 with Sportsbet for the Lexus Melbourne Cup.

Defiantly

The fast-running stayer, who won the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay at Deauville in France on August 23, has firmed as one of the favourites for the Cup.

This race has proved an incredibly serviceable lead-up run towards a Melbourne Cup with past winners Protectionist, Dunaden and Americain using it as a springboard towards ultimate success at Flemington.

He is trained by Joseph O’Brien who has a knack for the Melbourne Cup having two winners already to his name with Rekindling (2016) and Twilight Payment (2020).

Defiantly has solidified himself in the Lexus Melbourne Cup marketing posting a price of $11 equal favourite with Sportsbet.

Aeliana

The Chris Waller trained Aussie superstar is embarking on her first Melbourne Cup preparation of her career.

Looking at a Cox Plate into a Melbourne Cup, Aeliana is a far too talented horse to ignore for the first Tuesday of November.

After what was a disappointing first up run in the Group 1 Winx Stakes, she will look to make a splash in this Saturday’s Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield against quality opposition.

Waller is no stranger to training talented middle-distance horses to stay the two-mile trip, the 2021 Cup champion Verry Elleegant is the perfect case study to follow.

James McDonald similar to on Verry Elleegant will jump aboard and give the star every chance in the Lexus Melbourne Cup.

She is currently $11 equal favourite with Sportsbet.

Half Yours

Last year’s Cups Double winner (Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup) Half Yours, trained by father-son combination Tony and Calvin McEvoy, is once again being set for a Melbourne Cup run.

There will be a slight difference in his campaign this time around, opting to run in a 2040m Cox Plate at Flemington instead of the 2400m Caulfield Cup.

Half Yours is looking to become only the sixth horse to ever win multiple Lexus Melbourne Cups.

The talent is paramount and we know she can stay the trip, but it will be interesting to see how the change in preparation style will influence her run in the Cup.

Half Yours is also the equal favourite at $11 with Sportsbet.

Green Spaces

Green Spaces is looking to become the first horse since Phar Lap (1930) to win the Australian Derby and then as a four-year-old take out the Melbourne Cup.

The Bjorn Baker trained stallion is the Caulfield Cup favourite and thus poses as a significant chance to become yet another Cups Double winner, following in the recent footsteps of Half Yours (2025) and Without a Fight (2023).

The rising star faces an almighty challenge, but he is a very good horse and cannot be ignored.

Green Spaces is currently $18 to win the Melbourne Cup with Sportsbet.

Highwayman

Another Joseph O’Brien trained colt that has unquestionable Melbourne Cup Pedigree.

Highwayman won the Group 1 St Leger Stakes (2900m) at Doncaster only in the last couple of days which slashed his price in the market by around 70%.

Saffie Osborne, who had her Michelle Payne moment at Doncaster aboard the colt, has had previously riding experience in Australia with Gai Waterhouse and Ciaron Maher.

Osborne may become an important piece of Joseph O’Brien’s mammoth effort towards the 2026 Melbourne Cup.

Highwayman is currently $15 for the Lexus Melbourne Cup with Sportsbet.

Hopewell Rock

An English gelding that has the genuine profile of a Melbourne Cup winner trained by George Boughey.

Hopewell Rock ran fantastically in The Ebor (approximately 2800) at York Racecourse, narrowly missing out on the win in a tight finish.

The Ebor is England’s most significant handicap, and a genuine runway to the Melbourne Cup.

Hopewell Rock is priced at $18 with Sportsbet for the 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup.

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