How can I watch the Melbourne Cup?
The Melbourne Cup will be broadcast by the Nine Network, on Channel 9.
The race will also be streamed on their streaming service, Nine Now.
You can listen to the live call of the on ABC Radio, ABC Sport Digital and the ABC Listen App, with coverage from 2:30pm to 3:30pm AEDT on Tuesday, November 5.
Melbourne Cup goers arrive at Flemington Racecourse under warm and sunny skies
Tens of thousands of racing crowds flock to Flemington Racecourse as Melbourne Cup day gets underway under warm, sunny skies.
What time does the Melbourne Cup start?
The Melbourne Cup will be the eighth race of the day held at Flemington.
The race is scheduled to begin at 3pm AEDT.
Here are the start times in each of Australia’s five time zones:
3pm AEDT: ACT, NSW, Tasmania, Victoria
2:30pm ACDT: South Australia
2pm AEST: Queensland
1:30pm ACST: Northern Territory
12pm AWST: Western Australia
Cup field is down to 23 with the scratching of Athabascan
The Melbourne Cup field has been reduced to 23 for 2024, with French imported horse Athabascan withdrawn from the race on Monday evening.
All 24 horses did their mandatory final veterinary inspections yesterday before the big race.
All but one of the field passed the inspection, but the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained Athabascan was found to have a cardiac arrhythmia.
ECG reports and blood tests were then passed on to three independent experts.
“They each independently advised that, due to the nature of the cardiac arrhythmia, Athabascan should undergo further extensive testing before being permitted to race again on the grounds of safety,” Racing Victoria said in a statement.
“Acting on these opinions and having considered additional material provided by the stable, RV veterinarians advised the Stewards that in their view the horse should be withdrawn from the Melbourne Cup due to an increased risk of a cardiac episode.”
The remainder of the field was passed fit to race.
Welcome to the ABC Sport Melbourne Cup blog
Good morning to you.
Welcome to ABC Sport’s live blog coverage of the 2024 Melbourne Cup.
I am Michael Doyle, joined by Andrew McGarry, as we bring you the day’s action from Flemington Racecourse.
Join us in the comment section throughout the day as we count down the race that stops the nation.
