O’Neill: The seven horses who can win the Melbourne Cup

There are only seven horses that can legitimately win this year’s Melbourne Cup.

That is according to prominent owner John O’Neill who believes two international raiders trained by Joseph O’Brien and five Ciaron Maher runners are the ones to be seriously considered.

The Cup field is slowly taking shape ahead of the Tuesday, November 3 running at Flemington, with two of O’Brien’s rated a good chance by O’Neill.

“I think there’s seven horses that can win the race,” O’Neill said on SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up.

“They are Trustyourinstinct for James McDonald, a very nice horse. And Defiantly. I’m sticking with it.”

He also reckons a quintet of Maher gallopers - including four he has a share in - are the ‘locals’ who can win.

“The others are Zahrann, Shockletz, Saint George, Point Of Law and Middle Earth,” he continued.

“Ciaron has five horses that can win the race. I’m also not discounting Juja Kibo or if Kings Valley gets in.

“So Maher might have seven or eight runners, and the only danger he’s got of not winning is JP McManus’ horse (Trustyourinstinct) or Defiantly.”

Host Gareth Hall said: “I think JP McManus will have a million on Trustyourinstinct (at the Call of the Card).”

Before asking O'Neill: “No James J Braddock?”

O’Neill replied: “No, wet tracker. If it’s a Heavy track he’s got a great chance.”

The 2026 Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw will take place at 5:30pm AEDT this Saturday and will be run at Flemington on Tuesday, November 3.

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