Sure we can all put money on the Melbourne Cup favourites and hope for the best. Or you can be the one who lives on the edge and goes for a roughie to win the 2024 Melbourne Cup.
Placing such a bet and winning will see you crowned Melbourne Cup royalty amongst your peers. How did you know? Why didn’t you tell me to put money on? How much did you win again? What was it paying?
The Melbourne Cup is one of the hardest horse races to pick a winner — so why not throw caution to the wind and try your luck on a roughie?
If previous years’ Melbourne Cup has taught us anything it seems any horse can win, with Twilight Payment at $23 odds in 2020 and Rekindling at $15 odds in 2017 and who could forget Prince Of Penzance at $101.
Melbourne Cup Roughies 2024
Take note of these roughies as our Melbourne Cup tips or at least squeeze them in your Melbourne Cup trifecta.
Land Legend
Odds: $15
Barrier: 18 / Number: 8
It’s interesting to note that no one has ever won from barrier 18 so the odds are already against Land Legend — but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. Recent form has been strong and one to include in the placings.
Warp Speed
Odds: $26
Barrier: 3 / Number: 4
Recent form has been a bit rough but a lot has gone wrong from barriers to weather and that’s why we are seeing Warp Speed as a sneaky contender for the Melbourne Cup. He will like the firmer track and the longer distance we could see him surprise us.
Sharp n Smart
Odds: $51
Barrier: 15 / Number: 6
Sharp n Smart had an excellent 3-year-old season, then was held up by some injuries. Recent form has seen improvement and is known for good staying form. One I will include for 3rd or 4th in the exotics.
Sea King
Odds: $13
Barrier: 1 / Number: 15
Won the Bendigo Cup last week and has drawn barrier 1. Really strong recent form winning 4 of the last 7 starts. For the horses paying $12 and over this is my favourite.
Mostly Cloudy
Odds: $101-1
Barrier: 16 / Number: 20
If you are really looking for something out of left field — this is the horse at the longest of odds who will give you the best chance. With two wins over 3200m and can stay all day. Hasn’t won recently but if he’s at his best he could push for a placing.
Odds of Previous Melbourne Cup Winners Since 2010
Do roughies win the Melbourne Cup?
More often than you would think — below are the odds for each of the previous Melbourne Cup winners since 2010.
Anything $12 or above to win can be considered a roughie come race day.
- 2023 — Without A Fight: $7.00
- 2022 — Gold Trip: $21.00
- 2021 — Verry Ellegant: $4.50
- 2020 — Twilight Payment: $23
- 2019 — Vow And Declare: $11
- 2018 — Cross Counter: $9.50
- 2017 — Rekindling: $15
- 2016 — Almandin: $11
- 2015 — Prince Of Penzance: $101
- 2014 — Protectionist: $8
- 2013 — Fiorente: $7
- 2012 — Green Moon: $20
- 2011 — Dunaden: $21
- 2010 — Americain: $13
Gamble responsibly. Chances are you’re about to lose.
