Melbourne Cup 2026 Barrier Draw: Point Of Law Draws 9

The 2026 Melbourne Cup field is locked in, with Point Of Law drawing barrier nine and Trustyourinstinct barrier 18 as 24 stayers line up for the $10.2 million race at Flemington on Tuesday 3 November.

The field and barriers were confirmed at Flemington after Victoria Derby Day on Saturday night and published by Racing Australia, with the draw covered live by Nine. The 3200m handicap jumps at 3pm AEDT, and the winner collects $4.5 million.

Middle Earth (Mark Zahra) drew the inside gate, 2024 winner Knight’s Choice (Robbie Dolan) drew barrier two and topweight Sons And Lovers (57.5kg, Dylan Browne McMonagle) drew barrier three.

At the other end, James J Braddock (Craig Williams) will jump from barrier 24, the outside gate, while Wine Dark Sea (23), Vauban (22) and Royal Supremacy (21) also drew wide.

Key barriers for the leading chances

Point Of Law, described by Nine as the leading favourite, drew barrier nine for Ciaron Maher and Ethan Brown. James McDonald’s mount Trustyourinstinct, one of five Joseph O’Brien runners in the race, drew barrier 18.

Hopewell Rock (Zac Lloyd) drew barrier 15, Juja Kibo (Sam Clipperton) barrier 14 and Bendigo Cup winner So You Are (Rachel King) barrier seven. Last year’s runner-up Goodie Two Shoes (Wayne Lordan) will jump from barrier 19.

Future History drew barrier 12 with Jamie Melham, who won last year’s Cup, in the saddle. Kizlyar, which made the field after stablemate Defiantly was scratched on Saturday morning, drew barrier 20 with Beau Mertens.

Harry Coffey in doubt for Shockletz

Shockletz drew barrier 17, but her rider is in doubt. Harry Coffey fell from Pondalowie in the Empire Rose Stakes on Saturday, and the Victorian Jockeys’ Association said he had a suspected fractured collarbone and was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital for scans, Betsy.com.au reported.

Stewards stood Coffey down from his last ride of the day, Racing.com reported. Shockletz carries just 51kg, so Maher would need a lightweight rider if Coffey can’t take the ride. No replacement had been announced at the time of writing.

Maher has seven runners in the field, the most of any trainer, while O’Brien has five.

Melbourne Cup 2026 full field and barriers

Saddlecloth number, horse, barrier, jockey, trainer and weight, as published by Racing Australia:

1. Sons And Lovers (barrier 3): Dylan Browne McMonagle, Joseph O’Brien, 57.5kg
2. Trustyourinstinct (barrier 18): James McDonald, Joseph O’Brien, 57kg
3. Knight’s Choice (barrier 2): Robbie Dolan, John Symons and Sheila Laxon, 56.5kg
4. Middle Earth (barrier 1): Mark Zahra, Ciaron Maher, 56.5kg
5. Vauban (barrier 22): Jordan Childs, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, 56.5kg
6. Enfjaar (barrier 8): Ray Dawson, Roger Varian, 56kg
7. Royal Supremacy (barrier 21): Ben Allen, Ciaron Maher, 56kg
8. Wine Dark Sea (barrier 23): Damian Lane, Harry Charlton, 56kg
9. Asterix (barrier 6): Jye McNeil, Chris Waller, 55kg
10. Goodie Two Shoes (barrier 19): Wayne Lordan, Joseph O’Brien, 55kg
11. Juja Kibo (barrier 14): Sam Clipperton, Ciaron Maher, 55kg
12. Hopewell Rock (barrier 15): Zac Lloyd, George Boughey, 54.5kg
13. Onesmoothoperator (barrier 13): Declan Bates, Tim Fitzsimmons, 54.5kg
14. Soul Of Spain (barrier 5): Tommy Berry, Chris Waller, 54.5kg
15. Zahrann (barrier 11): Ben Melham, Ciaron Maher, 54.5kg
16. So You Are (barrier 7): Rachel King, Bjorn Baker, 54kg
17. Future History (barrier 12): Jamie Melham, Gregory Hickman, 53.5kg
18. James J Braddock (barrier 24): Craig Williams, Joseph O’Brien, 53.5kg
19. Kizlyar (barrier 20): Beau Mertens, Joseph O’Brien, 53.5kg
20. Point Of Law (barrier 9): Ethan Brown, Ciaron Maher, 53kg
21. Strictly Business (barrier 4): Dean Yendall, Thomas Carberry, 53kg
22. Mr Monaco (barrier 16): Jabez Johnstone (a), Ciaron Maher, 52.5kg
23. Zakouma (barrier 10): William Pike, Grahame Begg, 52kg
24. Shockletz (barrier 17): Harry Coffey, Ciaron Maher, 51kg