The Caulfield Cup is one of Australia’s most important staying races and a major checkpoint on the road through the Melbourne spring. Run at Caulfield Racecourse, the Group 1 contest brings together established stayers and emerging distance horses before the season reaches its biggest championship races.
2026 Caulfield Cup
The 2026 Caulfield Cup is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne. Melbourne Racing Club confirms the race will be run over 2400 metres.
The 2026 edition carries extra historical significance because it will be the 150th running of the Caulfield Cup. Melbourne Racing Club is marking the milestone during its 150th anniversary season, including a commemorative trophy created for the race.
Why the Caulfield Cup matters
The Caulfield Cup is a demanding test because horses must combine stamina with the tactical speed needed to secure position before the long run home. The 2400 metre distance places it among the key Australian staying races of the spring.
Its calendar position also makes it an important reference point for the Melbourne Cup. Not every Caulfield Cup runner continues to Flemington, but performances here can reshape the staying picture quickly.
A milestone edition in 2026
Melbourne Racing Club has emphasized the historic nature of the 2026 race throughout its anniversary program. The club confirmed that the Caulfield Cup will reach its 150th running on October 17.
The milestone also arrives during an important period for Melbourne racing. One week later, the Cox Plate will be staged at Flemington for the first time while Moonee Valley is redeveloped. That gives the 2026 spring a particularly unusual sequence of major race days.
How to use this guide
OTB Bet will update this page as official nominations, weights, the final field, barrier draw and race day conditions are published. Until those steps are complete, horses mentioned in future coverage should be treated as prospective runners rather than confirmed starters.
For handicapping, the most useful late information will include current form at 2000 metres and beyond, weight assignment, barrier position, likely pace and evidence that a runner can sustain its effort over 2400 metres.
Related OTB Bet coverage
Continue through the Australian spring with the Cox Plate guide, the Melbourne Cup guide and the broader Major Races center.
Sources
Race date, distance and the 150th running milestone are based on official information from Melbourne Racing Club.