The 2026 Melbourne Cup is nearing, with Hopewell Rock now the outright favorite in betting following a wave of support from punters. The overseas contender moved to the top of the market by Tuesday, surpassing earlier favorites Point Of Law and Trustyourinstinct.
This shift in betting was significantly influenced by bets placed at the Call of the Card, a key event in the lead-up to the race. Francesca Cumani had previously highlighted Hopewell Rock on Nine, citing its strong performance in the Ebor Handicap. "He ran second in the Ebor Handicap, which has been a pretty good form reference, he probably should have won it if not for the jockey dropping his whip," Cumani stated. "He’s a very dependable, solid horse with a good temperament and will take some stopping.”
Cumani also identified several other horses as strong contenders, including Goodie Two Shoes, Mr Monaco, Middle Earth, James J Braddock, and Trustyourinstinct. The Daily Mail is providing live coverage of the event, tracking betting movements, fashion, and all the action at Flemington as Australia anticipates the race that stops the nation.