Melbourne Cup 2026 race start times: When does the race begin? Full Race Day schedule, winners list, every race start-time.
One of the most prestigious races on the global calendar, the Melbourne Cup boasts a prize pot worth $4.5million (€2.75m/£2.35m) and a snazzy trophy valued in excess of $1million (€0.61m/£0.52m). Woof!
It’s a proper stamina test as runners and riders tackle two miles at Flemington. The Melbourne Cup regularly attracts an eclectic cast of international runners and Constitution Hill was among 101 initial entrants for this year’a race, although a failure to finish in the top three in the September Stakes means he will not be heading Down Under.
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READ MORE: Melbourne Cup 2026 order of entry
The Melbourne Cup typically runs for around three and a half minutes from beginning to end.
Melbourne Cup 2026 Live Updates, Results.
What is the Melbourne Cup 2026 Date?
The Melbourne Cup takes place at Flemington on Tuesday, 3rd November.
What time does the Melbourne Cup start?
The Melbourne Cup race is the 7th Race on the race day schedule and starts at 03:00 pm AEDT.
Melbourne Cup 2026 Race Start Times.
With Australia spanning multiple time zones, punters around the country should note the corresponding local start time for the Melbourne Cup.
Melbourne Cup 2026 Race Time Australia-Wide
State / Territory Local Time
Victoria (AEDT) 3:00pm
New South Wales (AEDT) 3:00pm
ACT (AEDT) 3:00pm
Tasmania (AEDT) 3:00pm
Queensland (AEST) 2:00pm
South Australia (ACDT) 2:30pm
Northern Territory (ACST) 1:30pm
Western Australia (AWST) 12:00pm
For Queensland racing fans, the Melbourne Cup 2026 race time will be 2:00pm local time, while punters in Western Australia can tune in from midday as the famous handicap jumps at 12:00pm AWST.
How to watch the Melbourne Cup live?
The Melbourne Cup Carnival will be broadcast live and free on Nine and 9Now across Australia.
Watch the 2026 Melbourne Cup Carnival live and free on Nine and 9Now.
On Melbourne Cup day, Nine will begin broadcasting live from Flemington from 10am until 5.30pm.
The vision will include all the pre and post-race excitement from the racecourse, as well as the race at 3pm AEDT.
Melbourne Cup Ultimate Guide: Magic number prolific trainer needs to lock-in four Cup runners
Melbourne Cup 2026 Results, Full Race day schedule, start times of every race in Flemington.
There is a break of 40 minutes between each race, with a longer break held before the Melbourne Cup.
This year's race card is set to be announced in the coming days.
READ MORE: What is the weather forecast for the 2026 Melbourne Cup?
The 2026 race card was as follows:
Melbourne Cup 2025 Live Results, Winners List, Latest Updates from Flemington Races.
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Race — Time (AEDT) — Status — Prize Money — Conditions — Race Name — Distance
Race 1 — 10:45am — Group 3 — $240,000 — Set Weights, 2YO — Darley Maribyrnong Plate — 1000m
Race 2 — 11:20am — Benchmark 80 — $150,000 — Handicap — Pin & Win Community Handicap — 2000m
Race 3 — 12:00pm — Listed — $200,000 — Set Weights Plus Penalties, 3YO — TAB One Pool Trophy — 1800m
Race 4 — 12:40pm — Feature Handicap — $150,000 — Set Weights Plus Penalties, 3YO — The Schweppervescence Plate — 1000m
Race 5 — 1:20pm — Benchmark 96 — $250,000 — Handicap — Australian Heritage Cup — 2800m
Race 6 — 1:55pm — Listed — $200,000 — Handicap — Asahi Super Dry Plate — 1800m
Race 7 — 3:00pm — Group 1 — $10.2 Million — Handicap — Lexus Melbourne Cup — 3200m
Race 8 — 3:50pm — Listed — $200,000 — Quality, 3YO — Crown Amanda Elliott — 1400m
Race 9 — 4:35pm — Group 3 — $240,000 — Set Weights Plus Penalties, Mares — Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes — 1400m
Race 10 — 5:15pm — Benchmark 90 — $150,000 — Handicap — Channel 9 Trophy — 1400m
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