Geelong Cup 2026
- Wed 21 Oct 2026
- Race 7, 4.10pm AEDT
- G3 handicap, 2400m, $500,000
- Melbourne Cup golden ticket
The 2026 Geelong Cup is Race 7, 4.10pm AEDT, Wed 21 Oct 2026 at Geelong, a Group 3 handicap over 2400m worth $500,000 with $300,000 to the winner. The winner earns a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup (a ballot exemption, if it is a Cup nomination and acceptor), 17 horses have accepted, and the day is a public holiday across the City of Greater Geelong.
Market view
TAB's Geelong Cup market isn't open yet.
What's at stake
The Geelong Cup is one of the 11 races the VRC lists in the 2026 Melbourne Cup conditions whose winner is exempt from the Cup ballot. On 13 October the VRC said only four of those golden tickets were left: the Caulfield Cup, the Geelong Cup, the Moonee Valley Gold Cup and the Cox Plate. The Caulfield Cup has since been run, so Geelong is the next of the remaining three. See how the Melbourne Cup field is set and the Melbourne Cup nominations.
Race conditions
Group 3 handicap over 2400m for three-year-olds and up, minimum weight 54kg, apprentices can't claim. Prizemoney is $500,000: $300,000 first, $90,000 second, $45,000 third, $22,500 fourth, $12,500 fifth and $10,000 for sixth to eighth. The field limit is 17 plus 4 emergencies (Racing Australia).
Geelong Cup 2026 FAQ
When is the 2026 Geelong Cup?
Wednesday 21 October 2026 at Geelong. It's Race 7 on the card, with a 4.10pm AEDT start (Racing Australia race card).
Does the Geelong Cup winner get into the Melbourne Cup?
Yes. The VRC's 2026 Melbourne Cup conditions list the Geelong Cup as a ballot-exempt race, so the winner gets a golden ticket, provided it is a Cup nomination and a first, second, third and final acceptor.
How much is the Geelong Cup worth?
$500,000, with $300,000 to the winner (Racing Australia).
Is Geelong Cup Day a public holiday?
Yes, within the City of Greater Geelong. Business Victoria lists Wednesday 21 October 2026 as a full-day holiday throughout the municipality, the alternate local holiday the council has arranged in place of Melbourne Cup Day.
Who won the Geelong Cup last year?
Torranzino, trained by Paul Preusker, won on 23 October 2025 (Racing Victoria's Melbourne Cup order of entry, 13 Oct 2026). He has accepted again for 2026 (Racing Australia).
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