Nine’s TV stars give their Melbourne Cup tips

The Lexus Melbourne Cup is one of sport's great equalisers - you may think you've got a pretty good handle on horse racing, but very rarely does 'the race that stops the nation' go to script.

Which is why no Cup tip can be completely discounted, and any punter is in with a chance.

Nine.com.au has asked Nine’s TV personalities - from horse racing experts to novices and everything in between to give us their four top chances to win the Melbourne Cup.

There’s a few standouts, but as you scroll down you’ll see that while plenty of horses feature a lot, there is also a scattering of outsiders drawing interest for all sorts of reasons.

Find your favourite Nine personality’s tips and see how they go.

Here’s who Nine’s Melbourne Cup lovers are pinning their hopes on:

NRL legend and Nine sports commentator - Billy Slater

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1. Point Of Law
2. Trustyourinstinct
3. Mr Monaco
4. So You Are

Nine racing expert - Francesca Cumani

1. Hopewell Rock
2. Point Of Law
3. Goodie Two Shoes
4. Shockletz

Nine sports presenter - James Bracey 

1. Hopewell Rock
2. TrustYourInstinct
3. Point Of Law
4. Shockletz

Nine sports presenter - Felix Von Hofe 

1. Juja Kibo
2. Hopewell rock
3. Shockletz
4. Mr Monaco

Melbourne Cup host - Eddie McGuire 

1. Trustyourinstinct
2. Middle Earth
3. James J Braddock
4. Point of Law

9News sports presenter - Tony Jones

1. Shockletz 
2. James J Braddock
3. Point of Law
4. Future History

9News Perth weekend presenter - Tracy Vo 

1. Point of Law
2. Trust your instinct
3. Hopewell Rock
4. Middle Earth

9News Perth weekday weather presenter - Natalia Cooper

Read more

Francesca Cumani’s 2026 Melbourne Cup form guide: Why $26 outsider is a top chance

1. Point of Law
2. Defiantly
3. Trustyourinstinct
4. Goodie Two Shoes

9News Perth crime stoppers reporter - Tina Altieri

1. Defiantly
2. Hopewell Rock
3. Trust Your Instinct 
4. James J Braddock

9News Queensland presenter - Joel Dry 

1. Shockletz 

2. Trustyourinstinct

3. So You Are 

9News Queensland  weather presenter -Garry Youngberry 

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Simon O’Donnell’s 2026 Melbourne Cup form guide: Punters urged to ‘forgive’ $31 roughie

1. Juja Kibo

2. Knights Choice

3. Point of Law

4. So You Are  

9News Queensland weekend sport presenter - Dominique Loudon

1. Point Of Law 

2. Trustyourinstinct

3. Defiantly 

4. Hopewell Rock

9News Queensland sport presenter - Bronte Gildea

1. Trustyourinstinct