GOLDEN TICKET
New to the golden ticket schedule in 2026 is the Group 2 Prix Kergolay (3000m) at Deauville. While newly recognised as a qualifier, the race has a proven history as a Cup pathway. Americain (2010), Dunaden (2011), and Protectionist (2014) all contested the Kergolay before claiming Melbourne Cup success, with the first two completing the Kergolay–Geelong Cup–Melbourne Cup progression. THE SPRING PATHWAY BUILDS Back in Australia, the road to the Cup ramps up into the spring. The Group 3 Lexus Archer Stakes (2500m), run on Crown Makybe Diva Stakes Day (September 12), continues its long history as a ballot-exempt race dating back to 1979. First run in 1869 and moved to September in 2024, the race has produced two Cup winners this century — Brew (2000) and Shocking (2009). On TAB Turnbull Stakes Day, the Group 3 Lexus Bart Cummings (2500m) offers another golden ticket. Named after the legendary trainer who won 12 Melbourne Cups, the race has become a key lead-up, with each of the past ten winners progressing into the final Cup field. MAJOR LEAD-UP RACES The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) remains the premier lead-up, sitting just over two weeks before the Lexus Melbourne Cup. In 2025, Half Yours became the thirteenth horse to complete the Caulfield Cup– Melbourne Cup double.
After winning a golden ticket throught the Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup at Saratoga USA, the big American Parchment Party became the first horse trained in the US to run in the Cup. (Image credit: Pat Scala/Racing Photos)
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