The 2024 Melbourne Cup at Flemington is on the horizon

As the Australian horse racing calendar turns towards Autumn and Winter, the prospect of the Melbourne Cup becomes a very real one in 2024. 

The race that stops a nation is always highly sought after with both punters and online betting sites alike and the Paddy Payne trained Dunkel should be firmly in the mix. 

To the casual horse racing observer, focusing on a race that is over 6 months away in the calendar could seem a little futile but the Melbourne Cup holds a special place in the hearts and minds of both punters and Aussie bookmakers. 
 
Assembling a Melbourne Cup field is always a fascinating balance, with up-and-coming horses looking to take on the established elite. 
 
All of the biggest owners and trainers from Australia and further afield are looking to have their houses in order ahead of the 2024 Melbourne Cup and prospective front runners are already being invested in by Australian punters and bookmakers. 
 
Dunkel to go big? 

Prolific sprinters often turn into strong stayers and Dunkel has long been touted as a potential Melbourne Cup winner with many punters and online betting sites.  
 
With 8 wins from 13 career starts, Dunkel has a reputation and a standing that should certainly give it the prowess to run well in a Melbourne Cup. 
 
Trainer Paddy Payne has spoken of his desire to see Dunkel stepping up in a big race, with its recent showing in the Roy Higgins particularly underwhelming. 
 
Ticket booked for Mark Twain 

Heading into the Roy Higgins Stakes, much was expected of the aforementioned Dunkel, along with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Glentaneous. 
 
As it transpired, it was Kiwi superstar Mark Twain who came out on top, showing excellent speed and staying power to cross the line first over 2600m. 
 
Winning the Roy Higgins Stakes gives horses an automatic ticket into the Melbourne Cup and Mark Twain is a horse that needs to be looked at for 2024 Melbourne Cup glory. 
 
Plenty in the Melbourne Cup mix 

April is the month when the early Melbourne Cup markets begin to assemble and once again in 2024, all of the biggest and best Australian horse racing betting apps are lining up their Melbourne Cup ante-post fields. 
 
Without A Fight emerged victorious in the race in 2023 and it looks to be the one to catch again in 2024, provided it can stay fit. 
 
Elsewhere, the lines of Soulcombe and Vauban will be eager to improve upon their 2023 showings, in what should be a Melbourne Cup to remember in 2024. 

The Melbourne Cup is a contest that holds a different sense of status with punters and online betting sites and the big names are assembling once more in 2024. 

Dunkel is a horse that has long been touted as a potential Melbourne Cup winner but Roy Higgins champion Mark Twain has forced his way into contention.