Key facts
- Trustyourinstinct: $7 in the betting at 6:24am AEDT, Friday 30 October 2026.
- Trainer Joseph O'Brien (Ireland); jockey James McDonald.
- Weight: 57kg.
- Vet: Passed the first mandatory vet inspection on 29 October.
Is Trustyourinstinct running in the 2026 Melbourne Cup?
Trustyourinstinct is in the projected field of 24 for the 2026 Melbourne Cup. Vet status: passed the first mandatory vet inspection on 29 October. The full list of runners and their status is on our Melbourne Cup field page.
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Trustyourinstinct at a glance
| Detail | Trustyourinstinct |
|---|---|
| Status | In the projected field of 24 |
| Order of entry | 9 |
| How he got here | Ballot (order of entry) |
| Sex and age | Gelding, 7 years old (Australian age) |
| Bred in | IRE |
| Trainer | Joseph O'Brien (Ireland) |
| Jockey | James McDonald |
| Weight | 57kg |
| Odds | $7 (Ladbrokes fixed odds (all-in market), 6:24am AEDT, Friday 30 October 2026) |
| Vet status | Passed the first mandatory vet inspection on 29 October |
| Breeding | Churchill (IRE) out of Gussy Goose (IRE), by Danehill Dancer (IRE) |
| Career record | 25 starts: 9 wins, 6 seconds, 3 thirds |
| Prize money | $725,994 |
| At Flemington | No starts |
| At 3200m | 2 starts: 1 win |
What is Trustyourinstinct's recent form?
Trustyourinstinct won the Group 2 Curragh Cup (2816m) in July, sprinting home from last in a six-horse field, then ran fourth in the Group 1 Irish St Leger (2816m) on 13 September, beaten four and a half lengths by Scandinavia. He has already won once from two starts at 3200m.
What are Trustyourinstinct's Melbourne Cup chances?
This is the form line punters will notice. Joseph O'Brien's two Melbourne Cup winners, Rekindling (2017) and Twilight Payment (2020), both won the Curragh Cup first. James McDonald, who won the 2021 Cup on Verry Elleegant, has been confirmed to ride. He is a backmarker with a strong late burst, so the run of the race and his barrier will matter more than for an on-pace horse. At 57kg he carries more than most of the market leaders.
In him favour:
- Same Curragh Cup path as O'Brien's two Cup winners
- Proven at 3200m (one win from two starts)
- James McDonald, a past Cup-winning jockey
Against him:
- 57kg is a big weight in a handicap
- Backmarkers need luck in a 24-horse field
How do Trustyourinstinct's odds compare?
At $7, Trustyourinstinct sits among the leading chances in the betting. Prices move quickly in Cup week, especially after the barrier draw on Saturday night and the track rating on Tuesday morning. Every runner's price is on our Melbourne Cup odds table.
Frequently asked questions
Who trains Trustyourinstinct?
Trustyourinstinct is trained by Joseph O'Brien (Ireland).
Who is riding Trustyourinstinct in the Melbourne Cup?
James McDonald is booked to ride Trustyourinstinct. Riders must be declared by 4:30pm on Saturday 31 October.
What weight does Trustyourinstinct carry in the Melbourne Cup?
Trustyourinstinct is set to carry 57kg.
What are Trustyourinstinct's odds for the Melbourne Cup?
Trustyourinstinct was $7 with Ladbrokes fixed odds (all-in market) at 6:24am AEDT, Friday 30 October 2026. Odds change often, so check before you bet.
Has Trustyourinstinct passed the Melbourne Cup vet checks?
Passed the first mandatory vet inspection on 29 October.
How did Trustyourinstinct get into the Melbourne Cup?
Ballot (order of entry).
What is Trustyourinstinct's breeding?
Trustyourinstinct is by Churchill (IRE) out of Gussy Goose (IRE), by Danehill Dancer (IRE).
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Sources
Who wrote and checked this page
Alexander Korsager
Alexander Korsager is our editor-in-chief. He has spent more than ten years in online gambling and iGaming, including senior leadership roles. He writes every Melbourne Cup guide on this site from official VRC and Racing Victoria sources.
Mark D'Andrea
Mark D'Andrea is a Senior Regulatory Consultant at Gaming Associates, an independent testing and certification laboratory for the gambling industry. He fact-checks our race guides, betting rules and safer gambling information.