Arabic version: بوينت أوف لو يحتفظ بصدارة ترشيحات كأس ملبورن

According to ABC News, Point Of Law retained favouritism for Tuesday’s 166th Melbourne Cup after drawing barrier 9, while Irish runner Trustyourinstinct drifted slightly after drawing barrier 18. James McDonald will ride Trustyourinstinct after a four-timer on Derby Day.

Trustyourinstinct, trained by Joseph O’Brien, won two races in Ireland this year, including the Curragh Cup over 2,816 metres. The seven-year-old gelding was fourth in the Irish St Leger in September and will carry 57kg. McDonald previously won the Melbourne Cup aboard Verry Elleegant in 2020.

Joseph O’Brien has five runners in the race, including topweight Sons And Lovers, who has barrier 3 and 57.5kg. Sons And Lovers began 2026 with a narrow 3,000-metre victory in Saudi Arabia and later won the Prix Maurice de Nieuil in Paris. Dylan Browne McMonagle takes the ride after his original Cup mount, Defiantly, was withdrawn by stewards on Saturday after failing a veterinary inspection.

Ciaron Maher has seven runners, including Middle Earth, Juja Kibo and Royal Supremacy. Middle Earth, third in last year’s Cup, has barrier 1 and will be ridden by two-time Cup winner Mark Zahra. Juja Kibo enters the race following successive victories in The Metropolitan and the Moonee Valley Cup, while Royal Supremacy will start from barrier 21 after finishing 15th in last year’s Cup.

Former Irish-trained runner Vauban has barrier 22 for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott after finishing ninth in the Geelong Cup. Defending winner Knight’s Choice, successful at $91 in 2024, drew barrier 2 and again has Robbie Dolan aboard. Enfjaar, third in the Caulfield Cup, will start from barrier 8 for trainer Roger Varian.