The barriers are set, the contenders are primed, and the countdown is on to the first Tuesday in November — when all eyes turn to Flemington for the 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m).
A massive $10 million prize pool is up for grabs in the world’s most iconic staying contest, and this year’s field is stacked with international class once again. From proven Cup performers to emerging stayers on the rise, the 2025 edition promises another chapter of racing history.
Half Yours, fresh off his Caulfield Cup triumph, is out to become the 13th horse ever to complete the coveted Spring Cups double, while Irish St Leger hero Al Riffa leads the charge from abroad — aiming to deliver Joseph O’Brien a remarkable third Melbourne Cup victory.
The 165th running of the race that stops two nations is shaping as a beauty.
Check out our full 2025 Melbourne Cup Preview for the inside word on all 24 runners before they jump on Tuesday!
2025 Melbourne Cup Selections
- 1st – Valiant King
- 2nd – River Of Stars
- 3rd – Absurde
- 4th – Torranzino
1. Al Riffa (19) – Joseph O’Brien
Dominant last-start winner of the Irish St Leger who leads the international brigade, trained by 2018 Cup-winning trainer Joseph O’Brien.
The six-year-old Wooton Bassett entire is set to make his debut on Australian shores, looking to follow in the footsteps of Vintage Crop, who won the St Leger on his way to claiming the Melbourne Cup in 1993.
A multiple Group 1 winner overseas, the stable has opted for back-to-back Cup-winning jockey Mark Zahra to take the reins, ensuring he carries top weight (59kg) with close to a six-week break between runs.
Having trained the likes of Buckaroo and Valiant King in Europe, O’Brien feels confident his colt can measure up given his size and overall strength, with Zahra in agreement after pairing up for the first time during last week’s track work.
2. Buckaroo (12) – Chris Waller
Adding further strength to Chris Waller’s Cup hand is this talented seven-year-old by Fastnet Rock.
A Group 1 winner in his own right, Buckaroo looks set to peak on Tuesday following four solid placings throughout the spring – stating with a monstrous effort for third first-up in the Memsie Stakes behind Treasurethe Moment and Mr Brightside.
Blake Shinn gave him every chance before he bumped into the uber-talented Sir Delius in the Underwood Stakes, while the tempo was clearly against him in the Caulfield Stakes a few weeks later, where he was beaten 3.75 lengths by Globe.
Waller said himself that he’d need to improve heading into last week’s Cox Plate at The Valley, but after matching Via Sistina stride for stride all the way down the straight to run second, it’s fair to say he exceeded most of the stable’s expectations.
Beaten only 3.5 lengths last year in this race by Knight’s Choice, his recent form, plus the services of experienced Cup-winning jockey Craig Williams, make him one of the top fancies with growing fitness on his side.
3. Arapaho (15) – Bjorn Baker
A true war horse if there ever was one, Arapaho returns to the Cup ranks after running 11th three years ago, finishing just under 11 lengths off Gold Trip.
Group 1 glory followed in the autumn when he won the Canberra Cup and then the Toorak Handicap in succession, adding to the mantlepiece again a year later when he came out and won the Sydney Cup by nearly three lengths back in April as a 20-1 shot.
Hard to say he’s going quite as well this time in work, but he does get some relief at the weights after lugging 61kg around in the Bendigo Cup last Wednesday. Two recent runs over 2400m should have him hard fit and ready for this trip, as well.
4. Vauban (2) – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Unlike others, this French import has been on the scene for quite a while in Australia, remaining on our shores since finishing 11th in last year’s Melbourne Cup – his second stint in the race that stops a nation.
His resume includes a win at Group 3 level fresh at Rosehill to kick off the autumn, as well as a third placing in the Tanced Stakes a fortnight later.
More recently, the son of Galiway finished within 1.5 lengths of Royal Supremacy in The Metropolitan over 2400m at Royal Randwick last month, then struggling to make up ground from a horror gate in the Caulfield Cup, where he was a distant 8.2 lengths off.
He’s proven himself over further having won a Lonsdale Cup at York last year, but with some mixed form to his name, he remains nothing more than an each-way chance at best, even with Blake Shinn aboard.
5. Chevalier Rose (5) – Hisashi Shimizu
This eight-year-old son to Deep Impact is one of the trickiest internationals to try and line up; his latest run being a disappointing third-last in a Group 2 at Saporro after also finishing down the order in the Group 1 Takarazuka Kine the run prior.
Looking to follow in Delta Blues’ (2006) footsteps is this Japanese raider trained by Hisashi Shimizu, the man responsible for training Mer De Glace to his famous Caulfield Cup victory in 2019.
Damian Lane, who has spent the weekend leading into Cup Day riding over in Japan, is set to make a quick dash back to Australia for Cup week.
A dry track is key to his chances, but after two disappointing runs, he largely remains a mystery despite some strong wins out past 3000m on his resume.
6. Presage Nocturne (9) – Alessandro Botti
Another one that has made a big impression during his short time in Australia is this European-bred son of Wootton Bassett.
We got our first taste of Alessandro Botti’s import in the Caulfield Cup two weeks ago when he came out and ran a credible fourth on debut, sprinting home strongly down the outside over a trip that was always a little sort of his best.
Lightly-raced for a six-year-old, some of his best wins have come over 3000m and beyond overseas, highlighted by a a narrow win of the Group 3 De Barberville at Longchamp back in April.
Jockey Stephanie Pasquier has made the journey over to continue her partnership with the grey, and there’s definite scope for improvement as he looks ready to peak now over his preferred trip.
7. Middle Earth (13) – Ciaron Maher
Middle Earth heads to Flemington on the quick backup off a run for third in the JRA Cup on Cox Plate Day at The Valley last Saturday.
He’s a horse that has mixed his form since arriving in Australia at the start of the year, winning the Australian Cup Prelude on debut, but largely struggling at the top level with unplaced runs in the Queen Elizabeth, the Underwood Stakes, as well as the Turnbull and the Caulfield Cup to his name.
This is his first look at anything out past 3000m and it’s hard to see him measuring up.
8. Meydaan (22) – Simon & Ed Crisford
Another Irish import who got his first taste of Australian racing two weeks ago in the Caulfield Cup.
The five-year-old son to Frankel had little go his when beaten over 4.5 lengths, settling wide from the onset and never really finding cover until he reached the top of the straight.
His overseas accolades include placings at Group 3 level around some Prix de l’Arc runners before boarding the plane, two runs that only add to his fitness as he gets out over 3200m for the first time.
James McDonald had plenty of good things to say following last Thursday’s track work, suggesting he’s come through the Caulfield run well and that his fitness is right where it needs to be.
In carrying only 54kg with one of the world’s best jockeys in the saddle, the Crisford-trained import is among the top chances.
9. Absurde (4) – Willie Mullins
Willie Mullins and company have chosen to go around again with Absurde, an eight-year-old son to Fastnet Rock who tackled this race last year.
He was sent around as a 10-1 chance and lost absolutely no admirers, settling just off midfield and improving sharply along the rail to grab fifth in a good go for the line.
Seen throwing his head around, something went a little astray around the 250m mark, so it’s fair to wonder if he could have finished closer looking back.
More recently, he’s been given a slightly different setup to last year, tackling the Irish St Leger where he ran third, before hopping on the plane to run seventh in the Cauflield Cup, caught between a couple of runners at the 300m mark and finishing strongly all the way to the line.
He doesn’t win often, but he’s typically been a very honest type, and with experience over the trip and a run under his belt this time, he’s well worth a look in exotics.
10. Flatten The Curve (17) – Henk Grewe
The odds suggest he’s nothing more than a rough chance, but Flatten The Curve is certainly more than capable of causing a boil-over on Tuesday if he brings his best.
A winner of eight of his last 10 starts, Henk Grewe’s gelding is absolutely flying heading into his first Australian start, partnered by long-time jockey Thore Hammer-Hansen – a man who has won the last two jockeys’ championships back home.
Another one who is proven out to 3700m overseas, recent wins include a whopping 5.5 length win at Kentucky Downs in late August and a Group 2 victory over 3200m at Hoppegarten earlier in May.
Make of that form what you will – and it’s worth noting he did undergo vet examination on Thursday. But at 50-1, he’s a great price to find out!
11. Land Legend (16) – Chris Waller
An Irish-bred son of Galileo, Land Legend was much better fancied in this race last year, coming off a run for third in the Caulfield Cup two weeks prior.
He was handed a horror gate in the Melbourne Cup and made the most of it to run eighth, but two last-placed efforts in the Turnbull and the Caulfield Cup this year have rightfully left him sitting at triple-figure odds in betting.
12. Smokin’ Romans (11) – Ciaron Maher
Back for a second time is the Ciaron Maher-trained Smokin’ Romans.
While still somewhat of a cult figure, this year’s Warrnambool Cup winner has failed to run a place in his last six starts at Group 1 level since winning the Turnbull Stakes way back in 2022.
He was hardly disgraced finishing seventh in the Cup that same year, but would need to improve sharply following last week’s disappointing effort in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup, where he was beaten 4.5 lengths.
13. Changingoftheguard (24) – Kris Lees
Kris Lees’ seven-year-old had some support in the Geelong Cup last week on his way to finishing just under four lengths off Torranzino.
There were excuses on offer the start prior when he finished an underwhelming last in The Metropolitan, a slight letdown after scoring a handy win second-up at Randwick against a small field in a Stakes race.
Like others, this is his first look at 3200m but as the price suggests, he’s well and truly out of his depth.
14. Half Yours (8) – Tony & Calvin McEvoy
One for the locals, this impressive McEvoy-trained galloper was well-backed two weeks ago in the Caulfield Cup, duly saluting by nearly half a length when he hooked to the outside part of the straight, letting rip at the 100m mark to score with plenty left in reserve.
It was an historic win for Jamie Melham, who has retained the ride on Tuesday carrying just 53kg due to the 2kg weight penalty.
The stable has been bullish on his Cup chances for most of the spring as he now sets out to become the 14th horse to complete the Cup-to-Cup double.
Out of Irish sire St Jean, the talented five-year-old won two of his first three starts with Ciaron Maher before being sent to auction. The McEvoy Team were involved in a bidding war before he joined their stable and were repaid handsomely with a win in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes at the start of the spring.
A genuine tempo and some rain leading into Tuesday’s Cup would only strengthen his claims, but based on the way he savaged the line in the Caulfield Cup two weeks ago, he has to be considered one of the top three best winning chances.
15. More Felons (23) – Chris Waller
Tommy Berry sticks aboard this Irish seven-year-old after taking the reins in all three starts so far this spring.
Aside from a win in the Parramatta Cup at Rosehill back in February, victories have proven hard to come by for this veteran of the track, who lines up for his second Melbourne Cup tilt after running 12th two years ago.
The son of Churchill has arguably improved over his last two starts though, missing out on a place only narrowly in both The Metropolitan and the St Leger Stakes over 2600m at Randwick.
Both runs stack up nicely as he gets out to two miles now and he may run a little better than the market suggests.
16. Onesmoothoperator (6) – Brian Ellison
The American-bred import, trained by UK trainer Brian Ellison, could be one to watch at odds if he replicates last week’s brilliant Moonee Valley Gold Cup win.
The eight-year-old gelding was given a peach of a steer by Mark Zahra, switching off nice and early around towards the tail, before launching down the outside part of the straight to go three-quarters of a length clear.
He was luckless in this race last year but far from disgraced from the wide gate but is no doubt going much better this time around.
After being eased up at the line under Zahra and given only a 1kg penalty, he looks to be one of the better bets with some upside and improvement still to come.
17. Furthur (7) – Andrew Balding
Tough to get a read on this Northern Hemisphere entire, who has made the trip down under for the first time with trainer Andrew Balding.
Still lightly-raced, he was a clear three-length winner of a Group 3 contest at Newbury around mid-August, and then found out late in the St Leger at Doncaster, where he was second-last to greet the judge.
The slow tempo and the pattern of the race were partly to blame for the last-start disappointment, but a dry track on Tuesday could see him enter calculations with six weeks between runs, with Victoria Derby-winning rider Michael Dee engaged.
18. Parchment Party (3) – William Mott
Bit of history on the line here, the William Mott-trained Parchment Party is set to become the first American-trained runner to contest the Melbourne Cup.
Out of Donn Handicap and Florida Derby winning sire Constitution, the reigning Belmont Gold Cup champion is in safe hands under Hall of Fame rider John Velazuez, who is making the journey down for the first time.
Since American is largely an unknown heading into the first Tuesday of November, it’s no surprise to find this lightly-raced five-year-old at longer odds as he gets out over 3200m for the first time, looking to prove himself.
19. Athabascan (1) – John O’shea & Tom Charlton
On a quick backup after showing marked improvement to finish runner-up to Onesmoothoperator in last Friday night’s Moonee Valley Gold Cup.
Unfortunately, his previous runs at the top level inspire little confidence; the son of Almanzor finishing way down the order in The Metropolitan and close to last in the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick fresh from a spell.
20. Goodie Two Shoes (20) – Joseph O’Brien
The leadup to the Cup has been a bit of a sweat for those connected with the Joseph O’Brien-trained Goodie Two Shoes.
A recent hat-trick winner back home in Ireland, the international raider was in doubt to earn a start earlier in the week before passing a vet check on Saturday morning.
A progressive type who is sure to appreciate racing on top of the ground, the daughter to Fastnet Rock has already proven herself over the 3200m trip, winning a Group 3 earlier in May with form over longer also on the resume.
Race favourite and stablemate Al Riffa is sure to garner most of the attention, but with proven international jockey Wayne Lordan booked to ride, this smart and talented seven-year-old isn’t to be taken lightly.
21. River Of Stars (14) – Chris Waller
A daughter to Sea The Stars, this Irish bred mare has settled in nicely at Chris Waller’s stable, notably running third in the Sydney Cup during the autumn, and then finishing within half a length third of Half Yours in the Caulfield Cup two weeks ago as a 90- shot.
Looming large along the inside to find the front at one stage, she was one of the runs of the race third-up and looks ready to peak now over further.
There’s no question she’ll stay the trip, particularly meeting her rivals 2kg better of at the weights this time.
22. Royal Supremacy (21) – Ciaron Maher
Another one from the Maher stable who should be peaking on his run.
It’s tough to get overly excited about Newcastle Gold Cup form, but this UK import gave a good sight in that race three runs back, which proved as the perfect launching pad into The Metropolitan, where everything unfolded for him late to hit the front on the outside of Soul Of Spain and win.
Robbie Dolan was forced to carve out a path between runners in the Caulfield Cup a fortnight ago, only finding daylight over the final 100m to run on late for fifth in the end.
With a proven Cup-winning jockey on his back, he might be a little over the odds now that he’s got a feel for the Melbourne leg.
23. Torranzino (18) – Paul Preusker
Paul Preusker’s six-year-old earned himself a golden ticket into the 2025 Melbourne Cup when he came out and won the Geelong Cup last week as a surprise $10 shot.
Apprentice Celine Gaudray, who has also earned her first Cup ride, sticks in the saddle hoping to go one better – although the market disagrees, with the son to Tarzino installed as a rough double-figure chance with no form over 3200m to his name.
The Geelong Cup – Melbourne Cup double hasn’t been achieved since Dunaden’s success in 2011, but there’s no knock on the recent form of Torranzino, who ran second in another key leadup race – the Bart Cummings – two back.
We’ve already seen that form franked over the last week, while runs in the Easter Cup and the Warrnambool Cup earlier in the autumn (first and second respectively) also stand out.
Proven on soft and dry tracks and plenty fit now, he’s worth including in multiples with a bit of confidence on his side.
24. Valiant King (10) – Chris Waller
Chris Waller’s Irish raider punched his ticket to the Cup when he won the Group 3 Bart Cummings by 2.75 lengths fresh from a break at Flemington last month.
It was arguably one of the most impressive wins of the Spring Carnival, the six-year-old grey making up a staggering amount of ground down the outside to wear down Gilded Water, who got the wobbles over the final 100m.
Surprisingly, he was sent around at double-figure odds in the Caulfield Cup two weeks later, finding a gap late to run third among a wall of horses charging late behind Half Yours.
The wide gate forced Jye McNeil to spend some petrol getting across early that day, while the step back in distance may not have suited either in his second run back from a freshen-up.
The extra trip, plus returning to his home track are two big pluses, alongside McNeil retaining the ride – an experienced Cup-winning jockey who prevailed on this same stage five years ago aboard Twilight Payment.
Having competed in this race last year where he ran 13th off a similar leadup, he looks a much better chance this time around if the barriers work in his favour.