Known as ‘the race that stops a nation’, it’s no surprise that it’s also one of the biggest dates for those who like to have a punt on the horses.
It’s still early doors, with the final 24-runner line-up not yet set, but it’s never too early to prepare for such a big event, especially when betting can be anywhere between a serious hobby and a professional pursuit.
In this guide, we’ll take you through some of the expert resources to follow, helping you to set up your bets before the first Tuesday of November rolls around.
Looking at the Odds
Before we delve deeper into individual tipsters, it might be worth having a little look at the current favourites to win it all. We recommend you keep an eye on the odds, because that will likely also inform you of the likely starting line-up.
Right now, Warmonger and Vauban are the two tipped to take it home, with both sitting at 11/1. Buckaroo and Point King follow closely at 13/1 and 15/1, respectively.
Warmonger is a great shout to win, of course, but bear this in mind: it’s still early in his career, so it may be a bridge too far to handle the toughness of a race of this calibre. It’s no surprise that, based on these odds, a lot of the leading tipsters are looking elsewhere for now.
The ‘Official’ Unofficial Melbourne Cup Channel
YouTube is a great resource for racing news and betting tips, although you often have to trawl through a lot of rubbish to find the gold. In the case of the Melbourne Cup, Staying the Distance - The Melbourne Cup Channel is certainly one of the better go-to options.
The channel has updates every single week, often multiple times a week. There’s more than just the Melbourne Cup, too, so you can follow a close analysis of form well before the race.
Last year, the channel had an extensive preview of the Melbourne Cup with some pretty interesting insights, and we expect more of the same this year.
Follow a Horse Racing Legend
- Andy Evans
Trial and jump-out analysis is pretty common these days, but just like the Moneyball approach, it seems completely obvious, but only once the method has been put in place.
Andy Evans was one of the first to get top-notch results and is a leading horse racing analyst (and punter, of course). He now runs a successful tipster service through Trial Spy (with fully verified bets on public record).
His journey is interesting, especially in this case, as he got into racing through his father, who bred racehorses. One almost qualified for the Melbourne Cup, and with his father working for bookmakers, the result was almost a foregone conclusion.
What sets his methodology apart from the competition is how he refines and reviews the existing strategies, always staying ahead. The thing is, online betting has become a real ‘thing’ in the last few years, with many more people watching trials to look for value.
The Tipstrr Line-Up
You have to adapt just to keep up. And that’s what is done at Tipstrr, too, with punters able to quickly find the highest-ranked tipster. Remember, you’re only as good as your last game.
- Underdog Racing Tips
Since October 2019 - longevity is always important in gambling - Underdog Racing Tips has been making making Tipstrr punters anything but, well, underdogs (apologies for that one!).
With over £21,545 in profits over the last 12 months, it’s a stellar return. On average, that’s £1791 per month, representing an ROI of 37.8%. The win rate is 23%, which is a reminder that it’s about placing smart bets, not about going for a 1/1 hit rate.
- The King of Horses
Not quite the king at Tipstrr, but pretty close. Currently ranking near the top of the table for results in the last 12 months, following The King of Horses would have given you a profit of £19,454 in the last twelve months.
That’s £1,617 of monthly profit per month, spread over 87 tips per week. The each-way strike rate is 24%, with the ROI a very tidy 21.6%. The recent form has also been solid in the last few months.
There is a range of other experts for your horse racing tip needs, with it being one of the most popular markets at Tipstrr. If you’re getting impatient in the run-up to the Melbourne Cup, there are also tips for all upcoming events, including races at courses as diverse as Ascot, Wolverhampton and Fairyhouse.
However, the key is keeping yourself in the loop with the performances of the horses likely to race. Take a screenshot of the current odds (Oddschecker is a good resource for this), and compare them to the last day before the race. In the next few months, a lot can change.