Key facts
- Wine Dark Sea: $34 in the betting at 6:24am AEDT, Friday 30 October 2026.
- Trainer Harry Charlton (UK); jockey Damian Lane.
- Weight: 56kg.
- Vet: Re-examination on Saturday morning after a change in gait at the 29 October inspection.
Is Wine Dark Sea running in the 2026 Melbourne Cup?
Wine Dark Sea is in the projected field of 24 for the 2026 Melbourne Cup. Vet status: re-examination on Saturday morning after a change in gait at the 29 October inspection. The full list of runners and their status is on our Melbourne Cup field page.
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Wine Dark Sea at a glance
| Detail | Wine Dark Sea |
|---|---|
| Status | In the projected field of 24 |
| Order of entry | 18 |
| How he got here | Ballot (order of entry) |
| Sex and age | Gelding, 5 years old (Australian age) |
| Bred in | GB |
| Trainer | Harry Charlton (UK) |
| Jockey | Damian Lane |
| Weight | 56kg |
| Odds | $34 (Ladbrokes fixed odds (all-in market), 6:24am AEDT, Friday 30 October 2026) |
| Vet status | Re-examination on Saturday morning after a change in gait at the 29 October inspection |
| At Flemington | No starts |
What is Wine Dark Sea's recent form?
Wine Dark Sea won the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes in England before travelling. He started the $8 second favourite in the Caulfield Cup and finished 11th from barrier 16 under Damian Lane. This is trainer Harry Charlton's first trip to Australia.
What are Wine Dark Sea's Melbourne Cup chances?
He drifted from $15 in early October to $34 after Caulfield. He must also pass a vet re-examination on Saturday morning after a change in gait was noted on 29 October.
In him favour:
- Group 3 staying winner in England
Against him:
- Disappointing Caulfield Cup run
- Vet re-examination on Saturday
How do Wine Dark Sea's odds compare?
At $34, Wine Dark Sea sits in the middle of the market 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 Wine Dark Sea?
Wine Dark Sea is trained by Harry Charlton (UK).
Who is riding Wine Dark Sea in the Melbourne Cup?
Damian Lane is booked to ride Wine Dark Sea. Riders must be declared by 4:30pm on Saturday 31 October.
What weight does Wine Dark Sea carry in the Melbourne Cup?
Wine Dark Sea is set to carry 56kg.
What are Wine Dark Sea's odds for the Melbourne Cup?
Wine Dark Sea was $34 with Ladbrokes fixed odds (all-in market) at 6:24am AEDT, Friday 30 October 2026. Odds change often, so check before you bet.
Has Wine Dark Sea passed the Melbourne Cup vet checks?
Re-examination on Saturday morning after a change in gait at the 29 October inspection.
How did Wine Dark Sea get into the Melbourne Cup?
Ballot (order of entry).
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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.