Nothing will make your day on race day more than a big exotic win. Whether it’s pulling off a Melbourne Cup trifecta, picking the first four, or even being the only one in the group who went against the curve and tipped a roughie to win the Melbourne Cup.

While we have already covered the Melbournce Cup favourites, below we’ll dive into the top Melbourne Cup trifecta tips plus the first four and roughies from the 2023 field, thanks to the experts at TABtouch.

Exotic Definitions

Before we dive into our exotic Melbourne Cup tips for 2023, let’s first explain the difference between the different types of bets.

Trifecta: A trifecta is when you can pick three horses to finish in the exact order — i.e., first, second, and third. Yes, it’s very hard.

Boxed Trifecta: A boxed trifecta, however, is a little more fun, allowing you to choose multiple horses in which any of them can finish first, second, or third. Thus allows you a greater chance to win; however, this generally means you’ll win less and have to bet a higher amount to claim a decent percentage of the trifecta payout.

First Four: This requires the first four horses across the line to be picked in the correct order. The first four is one of the toughest bet types in racing.

First Four Boxed: This allows you to select four (or more) horses to finish in any order within the top four. Similar to the boxed trifecta, you’ll have a greater chance to win; however, this generally means you’ll win less and have to bet a higher amount to claim a decent percentage of the first four payout.

Melbourne Cup Trifecta Tips 2023

You could always do a mystery trifecta bet and cross your fingers, or if you’re looking for expert Melbourne Cup trifecta tips to place on Race 7 at Flemington, you’re in the right place as we lean on TABtouch to provide their guide to Melbourne Cup trifecta picks.

Trifecta

These are the three horses we’ll be including in our trifecta including:

1. #5 | Vauban
2. #1 | Gold Trip
3. #4 | Break Up

Boxed Trifecta

These are the five horses we’ll be including in our boxed trifecta including:

1. #5 | Vauban
2. #1 | Gold Trip
3. #4 | Break Up
4. #6 | Soulcombe
5. #21 | Future History

Previous Melbourne Cup Trifecta Payouts

• 2022: $16,494.00
• 2021: $436.20
• 2020: $1,806.00
• 2019: $2,953.40
• 2018: $2,479.40
• 2017: $3,025.10
• 2016: $1,541.30

Melbourne Cup First Four Tips 2023

If you’re looking to increase your windfall with a bet more exotic than a trifecta, then a punt on the first four will be for you.

First Four

These are the four horses we’ll be including in our first four including:

1. #5 | Vauban
2. #1 | Gold Trip
3. #4 | Break Up
4. #6 | Soulcombe

Boxed First Four

These are the six horses we’ll be including in our boxed first four including:

1. #5 | Vauban
2. #1 | Gold Trip
3. #4 | Break Up
4. #6 | Soulcombe
5. #21 | Future History
6. #7 | Absurde

Previous Melbourne Cup First Four Payouts

• 2022: $102,785.00
• 2021: $5413.50
• 2020: $38,939.50
• 2019: $79,381.40
• 2018: $42,925.50

Melbourne Cup Roughies 2023

Just because a horse is mentioned as the favourite, it doesn’t mean it’s going to win. So we’ve asked the local TABtouch experts to disregard their Melbourne Cup favourites and to throw caution to the wind and provide a list of Melbourne Cup roughies that could cause a huge upset. It might be worth considering the below for a win or a place. 

Vow and Declare

#9 | Barrier 19 | Odds $21 down from $31.00

Vow and Declare is a previous Cup winner and appears to be racing as well as ever. He covered extra ground the entire trip in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup and was still there fighting out the finish. He shapes as a potential blowout chance at decent odds. 

Future History

#21 | Barrier 13 | Odds $21 up from $19.00

Two wins & three placings from his last five starts and was running home well last start when third in the Moonee Valley Cup. Gets in nice and light carrying just 50 kilograms and draws an acceptable barrier in 13. From the ultra-successful Maher/Eustace Training establishment and to be ridden by Star UK Jockey Hollie Doyle.

Breakup

#4 | Barrier 18 | Odds $20 up from $19.00

Japanese horses, especially their stayers, are world-class. We expect he comes on from a solid Australian debut in the Caulfield Cup.

How often does a roughie win the Melbourne Cup? Looking back at race winners since 2012, you’ll notice that more often than not, the favourite doesn’t win the Melbourne Cup, so perhaps the best list to pay attention to for the Melbourne Cup is the roughies guide.

Past Melbourne Cup Winners

• 2022: Gold Trip: $21.00
• 2021: Verry Ellegant: $18.00
• 2020: Twilight Payment: $23.00
• 2019: Vow And Declare: $11.00
• 2018: Cross Counter: $9.50
• 2017: Rekindling: $15.00
• 2016: Almandin: $11.00
• 2015: Prince Of Penzance: $101.00
• 2014: Protectionist: $8.00
• 2013: Fiorente: $7.00
• 2012: Green Moon: $20.00
• 2011: Dunaden: $21.00
• 2010: Americain: $13.00

How To Place A Bet On The Melbourne Cup

If you’re looking for some guidance on how to best place your bet on the Melbourne Cup, you can visit one of your local TABtouch stores where the staff can help you place your bets.

For those who are tech-savvy or running short on time, jump on the TABtouch app to place your online bet.

Odds as of 7/11 from TABtouch. Gamble responsibly. Chances are you’re about to lose.

This article was sponsored by TABtouch. Featur image AAP Images / JOEL CARRETT