Trustyourinstinct — Profile, Form & Record

Trustyourinstinct is arguably the best-credentialled stayer in the 2026 Melbourne Cup: a Group 2 Curragh Cup winner who ran fourth in the Irish St Leger behind Scandinavia. Joseph O'Brien — already a two-time Cup winner — brings him with James McDonald booked, the strongest jockey booking of the race.

The knock is the gate: barrier 18 has produced just one Cup winner (Verry Elleegant in 2021), and he'll need McDonald's very best to overcome it under 57kg. If he can slot in midfield from the draw, his class makes him the biggest danger to the favourite.

Trustyourinstinct's upcoming & recent races

Not entered today — entries update as fields are declared. Browse all racing today.

Following Trustyourinstinct

Live fields, barrier draws and best available prices update every 60 seconds on our racing today page, and every result lands on results today with full dividends. For the bigger picture, see today's tips and odds comparison.

The connections

A horse is only as good as the team around it. Explore the jockey profiles for the riders booked on today's card, the track guides for venue biases, and our betting guides for how to price a runner properly.

Trustyourinstinct FAQs

Who rides Trustyourinstinct in the 2026 Melbourne Cup?

James McDonald, Australia's champion jockey — the standout booking of the Cup.

What barrier did Trustyourinstinct draw?

Barrier 18, one of the least successful gates in Cup history with just one winner — Verry Elleegant in 2021.

What has Trustyourinstinct won?

The Group 2 Curragh Cup, and he ran fourth in the Irish St Leger — top-class European staying form.