The 2025 Melbourne Cup runs at Flemington on Tuesday November 4, 2025, at 3:00pm (local Melbourne time) and the TAB NZ have all the best Melbourne Cup odds, form and tips!
| 14. Half Yours (8) J: Jamie Melham53kg 15141T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy | ||
| 20. Goodie Two Shoes (20) J: W M Lordan51.5kg 1113xT: Joseph O'Brien | ||
| 7. Middle Earth (13) J: Ethan Brown54.5kg 50903T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 21. River Of Stars (14) J: Beau Mertens51.5kg x7802T: Chris Waller | ||
| 23. Torranzino (18) J: Celine Gaudray51kg 80821T: Paul Preusker | ||
| 4. Vauban (2) J: Blake Shinn56.5kg x3650T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | ||
| 1. Al Riffa (19) J: Mark Zahra59kg x4211T: Joseph O'Brien | ||
| 9. Absurde (4) J: Kerrin McEvoy53.5kg 2x3x7T: Willie Mullins | ||
| 13. Changingoftheguard (24) J: Tim Clark53kg 82106T: Kris Lees | ||
| 8. Meydaan (22) J: James McDonald54kg 05239T: Simon & Ed Crisford | ||
| 17. Furthur (7) J: Michael Dee52kg 52516T: Andrew Balding | ||
| 3. Arapaho (15) J: Rachel King56.5kg 36408T: Bjorn Baker | ||
| 10. Flatten The Curve (17) J: Thore Hammer-Hansen53.5kg 1411xT: Henk Grewe | ||
| 12. Smokin' Romans (11) J: Ben Melham53.5kg 72948T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 22. Royal Supremacy (21) J: Robbie Dolan51kg 11215T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 24. Valiant King (10) J: Jye McNeil51kg 3x013T: Chris Waller | ||
| 15. More Felons (23) J: Tommy Berry53kg x0944T: Chris Waller | ||
| 6. Presage Nocturne (9) J: Stephane Pasquier55.5kg 13x34T: Alessandro Botti | ||
| 18. Parchment Party (3) J: John R Velazquez52kg 2311xT: William I Mott | ||
| 19. Athabascan (1) J: Declan Bates51.5kg x0002T: John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | ||
| 11. Land Legend (16) J: Joao Moreira53.5kg 39500T: Chris Waller | ||
| 5. Chevalier Rose (5) J: Damian Lane55.5kg 70x0xT: Hisashi Shimizu | ||
| 2. Buckaroo (12) J: Craig Williams57kg x3232T: Chris Waller |
Melbourne Cup Info
- 2025 Melbourne Cup Date: Tuesday the 4th of November 2025
- Edition: 1645h
- Track Location: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Distance: 3,200m
- Conditions: Handicap
- Status: Group 1
- Prize Money (AUD): $10 million
- First Run: 1861
- Reigning Melbourne Cup Winner: Knight's Choice (2024)
Looking for the latest Melbourne Cup betting odds, insider racing tips and form for the iconic, two-mile, Flemington Group 1 race on the first Tuesday of November? The TAB NZ have all the best betting guides and statistics to make informed bets on the Melbourne Cup race this spring!
The Group 1 Melbourne Cup is one of the world’s most esteemed and popular horse races attracting an elite field of 24 of the season’s leading stayers.
It is Australia’s best-known race, the richest handicap race held anywhere in the world, and one of the few genuine 3,200m Cup races still held down under.
Held during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival it traditionally takes place at Flemington Racecourse on the first Tuesday of November as the highlight of Melbourne Cup Day conducted by the Victoria Racing Club (VRC).
It is considered Australia’s leading staying race and attracts some of the globe’s most well-known gallopers with AU$10 million in prize money on offer.
To improve your chances of predicting the next Melbourne Cup winner, access the latest Melbourne Cup odds and tips online at the TAB NZ.
TAB NZ provides in-depth analysis, form guides, and betting insights to help you navigate the competitive field of spring contenders.
Whether you’re a seasoned punter or new to betting on the horse races in Australia and New Zealand, our comprehensive Melbourne Cup coverage has everything you need.
Melbourne Cup fever is here! Get your bets on with TAB NZ and be part of the nation-stopping excitement!
Melbourne Cup Fast Facts
- Last mare to win the Melbourne Cup: Verry Elleegant (2021)
- Last three-year-old to win the Melbourne Cup: Cross Counter (2018) (European 3YO)
- Last filly to win the Melbourne Cup: Sister Olive (1921)
- Last favourite to win the Melbourne Cup: Fiorente ($7 in 2013)
- Last dual Melbourne Cup winner: Makybe Diva (2003-05)
- Notable Fact: The last Southern Hemisphere 3yo Melbourne Cup winner was Skipton in 1941!
Bet on the 2025 Melbourne Cup race now!
Expert Tips on the 2025 Melbourne Cup
Stay tuned for our expert tips and Melbourne Cup betting predictions ahead of this year’s Group 1 feature at Flemington.
Selections
- No. 6 Presage Nocturne
- No. 14 Half Yours
- No. 1 Al Riffa
- No. 24 Valiant King
- No. 21 River Of Stars
PRESAGE NOCTURNE (9) is the runner I’m backing to win the 2025 Melbourne Cup — and for TAB NZ punters looking for value with international flair, he’s a serious contender. This classy French grey, a son of the red-hot sire Wootton Bassett, brings strong staying credentials and echoes the profile of past Cup hero Americain. He’s already won over 3000m in Europe, so the 3200m trip at Flemington should be right up his alley — especially with rain forecast, which will suit him perfectly. He made a strong impression on Australian debut with a fast-finishing fourth in the Caulfield Cup, coming from 13th on the turn to finish just 1.8 lengths off Half Yours while carrying 57.5kg. That run showed he’s building nicely this spring, and now drops to 53kg — a key advantage in a race where weight matters. Drawn in barrier 9, which hasn’t produced a winner since Efficient in 2007, but tactically it looks ideal for this visitor. He’ll be ridden by top French hoop Stéphane Pasquier, who’s travelled down under to maintain the partnership — a big plus given their shared experience. Presage Nocturne has only missed the top three four times in 17 starts, and his third in the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay over 3000m carrying 59kg is a standout form line that’s held up well in past Cups. With a proven European staying record, a light weight, and conditions to suit, he’s a genuine winning hope at a juicy price. Keep him safe — he could be the one to deliver for Kiwi punters on Tuesday.
HALF YOURS (8) is the locally bred runner punters should be keeping a close eye on — and while the Spring Cups double is a rare feat, this rising star looks capable of joining the elite club. Only 12 horses have completed the Caulfield–Melbourne Cup double, but this progressive St. Jean gelding from Team McEvoy has all the right ingredients to make it 13. His campaign has been textbook: bursting onto the scene with a runaway win in the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) on a Soft 5 track, carrying just 54kg and stamping himself as a genuine spring contender. He backed that up with a dominant 3.5-length victory in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m), then bounced back from a solid fourth in the Turnbull Stakes to claim the Caulfield Cup — a race where Jamie Melham made history as the first female jockey to win the traditional lead-up. She’s back aboard for the big one, and her confidence in the horse’s ability to stay the 3200m is a major plus. Now up slightly in weight to 53kg after his Cup penalty, he still looks well in and tactically suited from barrier 8 — the same gate Viewed jumped from to win in 2008. Rain is forecast, and that only enhances his chances given his proven form on softer ground. Half Yours is the only Aussie-bred runner in this year’s field, following in the footsteps of Vow And Declare (2019) and Knight’s Choice (2024). He’s had a smooth lead-up, and while some might say he’s had things fall his way, it’s hard to knock the form of the favourite. For Kiwi punters chasing value and a genuine shot at history, Half Yours is a rock-solid Each Way play.
AL RIFFA (19) might not be sitting at the top of the Melbourne Cup market anymore, but for mine, he remains one of the most intriguing international threats in the 2025 edition of the great race. Once the early favourite, the Irish raider has drifted to $8 after drawing wide in barrier 19 and being handed topweight of 59kg — a hefty impost over two miles. But don’t let that scare you off. He’s the class act among the internationals, and history shows the Europeans know how to win this race, especially when the track’s rain-affected — which looks likely this year. Trained by Joseph O’Brien, who’s already produced two Melbourne Cup winners, Al Riffa arrives with elite staying form and a serious point to prove. He’ll be ridden by Mark Zahra, fresh off a four-win haul on Derby Day including Group 1 triumphs in the Coolmore and Victoria Derby. Zahra’s chasing his third Cup win in four years, and there’s no hotter jockey to have in your corner. Barrier 19 isn’t ideal, but it’s not a deal-breaker — Cross Counter won from the same gate in 2018. And Al Riffa’s European form is simply outstanding: he destroyed his rivals in the Group 2 Curragh Cup (2816m) carrying 62kg, then backed it up with a four-length win in the Group 1 Irish St Leger under 61.5kg. That’s serious staying power. He hasn’t raced since September, which raises some fitness questions, but reports suggest he’s been working well since arriving in Australia. With the right tempo and a bit of give in the ground, he could stamp himself as a global superstar in Race 7. He’s a must-watch — and a smart one to keep safe in your multiples.
VALIANT KING (10) is one Kiwi punters on TAB NZ should have firmly in their trifecta and first four calculations for Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup — and there’s plenty to like about his second tilt at the great race. He was a longshot 80/1 outsider when finishing 13th in last year’s Cup, but that run came from a horror draw (barrier 21) and he was only five lengths off the winner, Knight’s Choice. Fast forward 12 months, and he’s now had a full prep under the watchful eye of champion trainer Chris Waller and lands a much kinder draw in gate 10 — the same barrier Protectionist jumped from to win in 2014. This campaign, Valiant King finally broke through on Aussie soil with a commanding 2.75-length win in the Group 3 Bart Cummings at Flemington, booking his Cup ticket in style by defeating subsequent Geelong Cup winner Torranzino. But it was his Caulfield Cup performance that really turned heads. Sent out at 25/1, he was buried back in the field and looked out of play turning for home — only to unleash a powerful late burst to grab third, finishing less than 1.5 lengths off the winner. That run screamed Melbourne Cup potential. He drops to just 51kg for the two-mile test, giving him a serious weight edge over many of the top fancies. Add in the services of Jye McNeil — who guided Twilight Payment to victory in 2020 — and you’ve got a lightweight stayer with upside, a top jockey, and a trainer who knows how to peak them on the day. The 3200m is the final question, but with the right tempo and a bit of give in the ground, he’s got the tools to stay the trip. If you’re following the Caulfield Cup form, Valiant King is the one to latch onto. A must-have for exotics and a genuine blowout hope.
RIVER OF STARS (14) is one not to overlook — she’s flying under the radar at double-figure odds but has the profile to surprise in the Melbourne Cup 2025. Part of Chris Waller’s powerful five-strong Cup team, this Sea The Stars mare was imported from Ralph Beckett’s French yard earlier this year and has quietly built momentum throughout the spring. While she’s yet to win in Australia and hasn’t saluted since June last year, her recent form suggests she’s ready to peak. Her early runs this prep — 8th in the Naturalism and 12th in the Turnbull — didn’t turn heads, but she exploded into contention with a barnstorming finish in the Caulfield Cup. At massive odds, she charged home from the back to finish just half a length off the winner, carrying 53.5kg — giving weight to Half Yours, whom she now meets better at the weights. Beau Mertens sticks with her from barrier 14, which hasn’t produced a winner since Makybe Diva in 2005 — but that was a mare too, and the parallel is hard to ignore. She’s proven over longer trips, with winning form up to 2800m and a strong third in the Group 1 Sydney Cup over two miles in the autumn, so the distance is no concern. She’ll need to lift again to win, but there’s a sense of timing about her and Waller has been bullish in his praise. With the right tempo and a bit of sting out of the track, she’s a genuine threat to run into the money. Smart play for exotics — don’t let the price fool you.
Melbourne Cup Tips
Melbourne Cup tips on what horse will win the Melbourne Cup this year are highly sought after by savvy punters and racing fans every spring.
Melbourne Cup tips on which horse will win the next edition of the classic flood in as the countdown to the famous Flemington Race 7 at 3:00pm (local time) heats up.
When looking at Melbourne Cup race tips it is important to consider factors including:
- What horses in the Melbourne Cup field are proven over the 3,200m (two mile) distance?
- Who the key Melbourne Cup trainers and jockeys are and what horses they have in the Melbourne Cup field this year?
- Melbourne Cup barrier statistics and where your Melbourne Cup betting selections are drawn.
- Melbourne Cup horses that come via a lead-up run in the Caulfield Cup earlier in the spring.
How long does it take to know if you placed a winning Melbourne Cup race tip? The event itself takes around 3 minutes and 20 seconds for the competing horses to run the 3,200m trip.
Usually, the official Melbourne Cup winner and winning Melbourne Cup trifecta are known shortly after unless there is a protest or a photo-finish Melbourne Cup result.
Melbourne Cup Tips: Lead-Up Races to the Melbourne Cup
What are the best Melbourne Cup lead-up races to look at when placing a Melbourne Cup bet? Key Melbourne Cup lead-up races include the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m), the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2520m), Sydney’s Group 2 $2 million Hill Stakes (1900m), and the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m).
The Caulfield Cup – Melbourne Cup double was last completed by Without A Fight in 2023.
The Cox Plate – Melbourne Cup double was last completed by Makybe Diva in 2005.
The Geelong Cup – Melbourne Cup double was last completed by Duanden (2011).
The Hill Stakes – Melbourne Cup double was last completed by Saintly (1996).
There are a number of races that offer a ballot-free ride to the winner into the Melbourne Cup field.
Australian races to offer automatic Melbourne Cup entry to the successful horse include the:
- Roy Higgins Quality (March)
- Andrew Ramsden Stakes (May)
- Lexus Archer Stakes (September)
- The Bart Cummings (October)
- Caulfield Cup (October)
- Cox Plate (October)
There are also two international thoroughbred races offering a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption with the winners of the Ebor Handicap at York in the UK and the Belmont Gold Cup at New York in the USA potentially Melbourne Cup-bound.
Melbourne Cup Tips: International Horses in the Melbourne Cup
Betting on the international horses in the field is more and more popular as Melbourne Cup tips favour the dour overseas stayers.
Since the first Northern hemisphere-trained Melbourne Cup winner back in 1993 the raiders have dominated Melbourne Cup tipping and results.
From 2014 – 2020 five of the seven Melbourne Cup winners were trained overseas. The 2020 Melbourne Cup trifecta saw a trio of raiders outstay the locals when Twilight Payment defeated Tiger Moth and Prince Of Arran.
Looking back over the Melbourne Cup history and statistics shows that the last Australian-bred Melbourne Cup winners were Shocking (2009), Vow And Declare (2019), and upset champion Knight’s Choice (2024).
Melbourne Cup Tips for a Trifecta
Melbourne Cup tips for a trifecta cover the first three horses to officially go past the finishing post in the Melbourne Cup results.
The horse to finish on top of the Melbourne Cup trifecta is your Melbourne Cup winner, the runner who outstayed all their rivals and finished in the fastest time.
Placing a Melbourne Cup trifecta exotic bet on the race is a great way to add to the thrill and potentially be rewarded with a generous pay-out.
A Melbourne Cup trifecta is only successful if the three horses in your bet finish in the exact order you predict. Punters may choose instead to box their trifecta bets on the Melbourne Cup to cover more finishing options and increase the chances of winning.
Avoiding the favourite into your Melbourne Cup trifecta bet is a top tip as the favourites have a very poor strike rate in the event.
Key Melbourne Cup Statistics and Insights
Place an informed bet on this year’s Melbourne Cup by considering the following key statistics and insights:
- Win Rates: Horses with high win rates in similar races are strong contenders for the Melbourne Cup. Our Melbourne Cup betting tips available at the TAB NZ Punters Lounge provide detailed win rate statistics.
- Place Percentages: Evaluate horses with consistent place percentages, indicating reliability and competitiveness. Melbourne Cup race tips offer comprehensive data on place percentages.
- Barrier Success Rates: Horses starting from double digit barriers have historically shown a higher success rate in the Melbourne Cup.
Melbourne Cup Betting Info
Melbourne Cup betting takes place on the time-honoured Melbourne Cup race which is held at Australia’s Flemington Racecourse on the first Tuesday of November every year.
The Melbourne Cup is Australia’s most popular horse race and has been run and won since 1861.
Lexus currently sponsor the race and so it is officially referred to as the Lexus Melbourne Cup.
What makes the Melbourne Cup so special?
It is known as ‘The race that stops a nation’ ™. The whole of Australia and many places around the world, including New Zealand, come to a standstill for one of the greatest three minutes of thoroughbred action every November to see if their bets on the Melbourne Cup were correct!
The Melbourne Cup is currently worth A$10 million plus bragging rights with jockeys, trainers and owners across the globe all wanting to add their names to the list of Melbourne Cup winners!
The Melbourne Cup field attracts a capacity of 24 horses each season with runners coming from both local and, increasingly, international stables.
Melbourne Cup race tips centre on stayers that will run out the traditional cup distance of 3,200m – or two miles.
It is one of the few Australian races still run over the distance and one of just two Group 1 events along with the autumn’s Sydney Cup at Randwick in New South Wales.
The Melbourne Cup is a handicap race meaning the better performed a horse is, the more weight they will carry.
The horse that carries the Melbourne Cup top weight dons the number one saddlecloth.
Gold Trip with 57.5kg in 2022 was the last Melbourne Cup top weight to win.
The Melbourne Cup has been won by some of the most iconic horses in Australian racing history. Among the earliest and most storied winners is Archer, who won the first two Cups in 1861 and 1862, setting a precedent for greatness.
Phar Lap, perhaps the most famous racehorse in Australian history, triumphed in 1930 amid immense public adoration and even an attempted shooting by gangsters. Peter Pan joined the elite ranks with two wins in 1932 and 1934, overcoming dramatic setbacks to secure his legacy.
In the modern era, Makybe Diva stands alone as the only horse to win three consecutive Melbourne Cups (2003–2005), a feat unmatched in the race’s long history. Rain Lover (1968–69) and Think Big (1974–75) also achieved back-to-back victories, while Kingston Rule holds the race record time of 3:16.30, set in 1990.
More recently, Prince of Penzance made headlines in 2015 with a $101 upset, ridden by Michelle Payne, the first female jockey to win the Cup.
These champions have etched their names into Australian sporting folklore, each contributing to the enduring magic of “the race that stops a nation.”
Melbourne Cup Day
Melbourne Cup Day 2025 will be held on Tuesday, 4 November, at the iconic Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. Known as “the race that stops a nation,” this Group 1 handicap over 3,200m is the centrepiece of the Melbourne Cup Carnival and one of the richest and most prestigious horse races in the world, with a prize pool of $10 million. The main race begins at 3:00 PM AEDT, but festivities start early, with gates opening at 8:30 AM.
The day is not just about racing—it’s a full cultural celebration. Attendees dress in their finest spring fashion, with the famous Fashions on the Field competition drawing thousands of stylish entrants. The event also features live music, gourmet food trucks, and vibrant hospitality zones like The Park and The Birdcage, where celebrities and racegoers mingle.
Public transport is the recommended way to get there, with special trains and trams running directly to Flemington. Whether you’re trackside or watching from afar, Melbourne Cup Day is a uniquely Australian spectacle of sport, style, and celebration.
Get the best Melbourne Cup Day racing odds for Flemington, racing stats, previews, form and insider tips on races like the meeting’s feature Group 1 race now at the TAB NZ!
Melbourne Cup betting is open all year round at the TAB NZ.
We offer pre-nomination Melbourne Cup betting odds throughout the year that are known as futures Melbourne Cup odds online.
All-In Melbourne Cup betting markets are then available following the official Melbourne Cup nominations taken in early September.
Betting on the Melbourne Cup field is then available following final acceptances which close the Saturday before the event on Victoria Derby Day at Flemington.
Melbourne Cup race betting traditionally focuses on any past Group 1 winners who have an outstanding record in the event and the class older gallopers in the race who have a dominant recent record in the major spring showdown over their younger counterparts.
Melbourne Cup race tips centre on the standout staying champion thoroughbreds that have good lead-up form in similar grade events including the international Group 1 races, horses with previous experience at the Flemington track and the runners from the key stables who have dominated Melbourne Cup race results.
Melbourne Cup Field & Acceptance Dates
It is important to take note of when the Melbourne Cup field is out, when Melbourne Cup nominations close and the Melbourne Cup acceptance dates when placing a Melbourne Cup bet online.
The Melbourne Cup field features a capacity of 24 horses with no emergencies.
See below for the official Melbourne Cup field dates for 2025.
- 2025 Melbourne Cup Nominations: Closed on Tuesday September 2, 2025, at 12:00pm (Melbourne time) – attracted 120 horses including 19 from the Northern Hemisphere.
- 2025 Melbourne Cup Late Entries: Close on Tuesday September 9, 2025, at 12:00pm (Melbourne time).
- 2025 Melbourne Cup Handicaps: Weights were declared on Tuesday September 16, 2025 – Via Sistina and Al Riffa allocated the equal 59kg topweight.
- 2025 Melbourne Cup First Declarations: Closed on Tuesday September 30, 2025, at 12:00pm (Melbourne time) – 66 remaining hopefuls.
- 2025 Melbourne Cup Second Declarations: Closed on Tuesday October 14, 2025, at 12:00pm (Melbourne time) – 51 horses left after two subsequent withdrawals from the original 53 second acceptors.
- 2025 Melbourne Cup Third Declarations: Closed on Monday October 27, 2025, at 12:00pm (Melbourne time) – 40 chances remain including 11 internationals.
- 2025 Melbourne Cup Final Field: Revealed on Saturday November 1, 2025, at 4:30pm (Melbourne time) on Victoria Derby Day at Flemington.
- 2025 Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw: Conducted on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 6:30pm (Melbourne time) following the Victoria Derby Day racing at Flemington.
Where can you bet on the Melbourne Cup?
The best place to bet on this year’s Melbourne Cup is through the TAB NZ online.
Melbourne Cup Odds
Melbourne Cup odds and online betting tips on the Melbourne Cup are dominated by proven stayers and international horses heading towards the two-mile feature.
It can be worth looking further down the Melbourne Cup odds in the spring to find the next winner of the famous Flemington feature with Knight’s Choice jumping at $91 in 2024 for his surprise victory!
Where can I find the Melbourne Cup odds?
For the latest odds and updates on the Melbourne Cup, TAB NZ is your go-to source. They provide real-time odds fluctuations, ensuring you have the most current information to make informed betting decisions. It’s crucial to monitor these odds closely, as they reflect the market’s perception of each horse’s chances, influenced by factors like form, barrier draw, and track conditions.
How to Place a Bet on the Melbourne Cup
Want to know how to make a bet on the Melbourne Cup? Visit the TAB NZ racing page to access the latest Melbourne Cup betting odds and options.
It is simple to learn how to place a bet on the Melbourne Cup online.
You can place a Melbourne Cup bet online anytime.
There are more ways than ever to get involved in betting on the Melbourne Cup.
Whether you’re a casual punter relying on gut instinct or lucky numbers, a seasoned bettor taking advantage of Melbourne Cup online odds, or simply participating in an office sweepstake, everyone can enjoy the excitement of this iconic race!
How to Bet on the Melbourne Cup in 2025?
1. Log in or sign-up with TAB NZ.
2. Make a secure online deposit using one of the TAB NZ safe deposit methods.
3. Check out the Melbourne Cup betting guide, Melbourne Cup form guide and our expert Melbourne Cup tips.
4. Choose a Melbourne Cup bet to place such as Win, Place, Each-Way or the Melbourne Cup Trifecta. There are many more Melbourne Cup betting options available so make sure to check out our Melbourne Cup betting markets.
5. Select the Melbourne Cup horse you want to bet on from the early markets, Melbourne Cup nominations or Melbourne Cup field.
What makes betting on the Melbourne Cup so popular?
The fact that the Melbourne Cup is the world’s richest handicap race and the most expensive two-mile thoroughbred event in the world.
The Melbourne Cup prize money makes it the third richest in Australia following the A$20 million The Everest and A$10 million The Golden Eagle which are both held in Sydney over the spring.
Conducted by the Victoria Racing Club (VRC), the Melbourne Cup is the crown jewel of Australian racing and the highlight of the world-renowned Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
The Melbourne Cup has been won by a host of turf greats including many international raiders.
Dermot Weld’s Irish champion Vintage Crop (1993) was the first Melbourne Cup winner form Northern-hemisphere.
Betting on the Melbourne Cup rarely favours the reigning Melbourne Cup winner as it is a very tough ask for a horse to go back-to-back in the event.
Mighty mare Makybe Diva (2003-05) is the only three-time Melbourne Cup winner in history. The Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) race at Flemington over the spring is named in her honour.
The Chris Waller-trained Verry Elleegant was the last mare to win the Melbourne Cup when carrying 57kg to victory in 2021 by a dominant four lengths.
Melbourne Cup race betting traditionally focuses on the internationally-trained stayers and graduates out of the A$5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) held in October.
History was made in 2023 when Without A Fight became the 12th horse to complete the Caulfield Cup – Melbourne Cup double.
He was the first to secure the ‘Spring Cups’ double in the same year since New Zealand mare Ethereal in 2001.
Ethereal’s trainer Shelia Laxon was the first female Melbourne Cup winning trainer and she returned in 2024 to salute with the Queensland-based Knight’s Choice in a historic upset to become the first female trainer to prepare two Melbourne Cup winners!
What are the popular betting markets for the Melbourne Cup?
When it comes to betting on the Melbourne Cup, there are a number of more popular betting options with punters including:
Exotics: These include Quinella, Trifecta, and First Four, where you predict the specific order of finishers, offering potentially higher payouts but requiring more precise predictions.
Win & Place: Bet on a horse to win or finish in the top places. This is one of the most straightforward and popular betting options.
Each-Way: A combination of win and place bets, providing a safety net if your chosen horse doesn’t win but finishes in the top positions.
All horses to complete the Caulfield Cup – Melbourne Cup double in the same calendar year:
Poseidon (1906), The Trump (1937), Rivette (1939), Rising Fast (1954), Even Stevens (1962), Galilee (1966), Gurner’s Lane (1982), Let’s Elope (1991), Doriemus (1995), Might And Power (1997), Ethereal (2001), and Without A Fight (2023).
For the best online betting for the Melbourne Cup, consider tipping a horse to win both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup – a popular spring betting double!
Melbourne Cup Prize Money
The 2025 Melbourne Cup boasts a total prize pool of $10 million, making it the richest handicap race in the world.
How much does the Melbourne Cup winner get?
The winning Melbourne Cup horse receives a total of A$4.5 million in prize money plus trophies.
See below for the official breakdown of Melbourne Cup prizes on offer from the Melbourne Cup winner to the 24th horse to cross the finish line in the official Melbourne Cup results.
🏆 Prize Money Breakdown (Top 23 Finishers)
| Place | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| 1st | $4,500,000 + trophies |
| 2nd | $1,100,000 |
| 3rd | $560,000 |
| 4th | $360,000 |
| 5th | $240,000 |
| 6th | $160,000 |
| 7th | $160,000 |
| 8th | $160,000 |
| 9th | $160,000 |
| 10th | $160,000 |
| 11th | $160,000 |
| 12th | $160,000 |
| 13th | $100,000 |
| 14th | $100,000 |
| 15th | $100,000 |
| 16th | $100,000 |
| 17th | $100,000 |
| 18th | $100,000 |
| 19th | $100,000 |
| 20th | $100,000 |
| 21st | $100,000 |
| 22nd | $100,000 |
| 23rd | $100,000 |
| 24th | $100,000 |
How many horses have won the Melbourne Cup twice?
Only five horses have won the Melbourne Cup more than once in its long history:
🏇 Multiple Melbourne Cup Winners
Archer – 1861 & 1862
The very first winner of the Cup, Archer claimed back-to-back victories and could have won a third but was controversially denied entry in 1863.
Peter Pan – 1932 & 1934
A non-consecutive dual winner, Peter Pan was a standout of his era.
Rain Lover – 1968 & 1969
Achieved back-to-back wins, a rare feat in modern times.
Think Big – 1974 & 1975
Trained by the legendary Bart Cummings, Think Big also won in consecutive years.
Makybe Diva – 2003, 2004 & 2005
The only three-time winner in Melbourne Cup history, and a true icon of Australian racing.
How many mares have won the Melbourne Cup?
A total of 14 mares have won the Melbourne Cup, with 12 individual mares accounting for those victories. Five of those victories have occurred since the year 2000, most recently with Verry Elleegant (2021).
🏇 Notable Mares Who Have Won the Melbourne Cup:
- Makybe Diva – The most famous mare, and the only horse (of any sex) to win the Cup three times (2003, 2004, 2005).
- Verry Elleegant – The most recent mare to win, in 2021.
- Ethereal, Empire Rose, Jezabeel, and Light Fingers are among other notable mares in Cup history.
Mares have historically had fewer wins compared to stallions (72 wins) and geldings (56 wins), but their victories are often iconic and memorable.
How many fillies have won the Melbourne Cup?
Three fillies have won the Melbourne Cup in its long history:
🏇 Melbourne Cup-Winning Fillies
- Briseis (1876) – The first filly to win the Cup. She also won the Victoria Derby and Oaks in the same week—an extraordinary feat.
- Auraria (1895) – A South Australian filly who triumphed in a strong field.
- Sister Olive (1921) – The last filly to win the Cup, over a century ago.
What age group has the best recent the Melbourne Cup record?
Five-year-olds have dominated the Melbourne Cup results in recent years with saluting 10 between 2000 and 2024, most recently Knight’s Choice (2024).
The youngest recent Melbourne Cup winners were Rekindling (2017) and Cross Counter (2018) who won as Northern Hemisphere three-year-olds. Note however, that they both officially raced as four-year-olds in Australia and the last Southern Hemisphere three-year-old to win the Melbourne Cup was Skipton in 1941.
The oldest recent Melbourne Cup winner was Twilight Payment who won as a Northern Hemisphere seven-year-old in 2020 and officially as an eight-year-old in Australia.
Between 2000 and 2024 the breakdown of Melbourne Cup winners by age is as follows:
3YOs – 2 (latest Cross Counter as a Southern Hemisphere 3YO in 2018)
4YOs – 6 (latest Vow And Declare in 2019)
5YOs – 10 (latest Knight’s Choice in 2024)
6YOs – 6 (latest Without A Fight in 2023)
7YOs – 1 (latest Twilight Payment in 2020)
Note, the above age statistics count the Northern Hemisphere trained runners as their age at home, not in Australia where they officially race as a year older.
What Time Does the Melbourne Cup Run?
All times are for the first Tuesday of November in Australia and are local.
- Queensland: 2:00pm
- New South Wales: 3:00pm
- Victoria: 3:00pm
- Tasmania: 3:00pm
- Northern Territory: 1:30pm
- ACT: 3:00pm
- Western Australia: 12:00pm
- UK & Ireland: 4:00am
- New Zealand: 5:00pm
- Japan: 1:00pm
- Hong Kong: 12:00pm
- Dubai: 8:00am
Melbourne Cup Barriers
The Melbourne Cup barrier draw and allocated Melbourne Cup gates play a key role for many punters when deciding on what horses to bet on in the big race.
Although the event is a genuine staying test conducted over 3.2 kilometres, barriers have historically still affected the Melbourne Cup results.
Notable Melbourne Cup barrier statistics to consider when placing your next Melbourne Cup bet include:
- Barrier 5 is the latest Melbourne Cup winning barrier with Knight’s Choice (2024)
- Barrier 11 boasts the most Melbourne Cup wins with nine victories
- Barrier 5 is the next most successful with nine (most recently Knight’s Choice in 2024)
- Barrier 5 has enjoyed recent success producing back-to-back winners in Green Moon (2012) and Fiorente (2013)
- Barriers 10 and 14 have each produced six winners
- Barrier 18 was historically considered unlucky until Verry Elleegant broke the curse in 2021
What is the most successful recent Melbourne Cup barrier draw?
Barrier 5 has produced Melbourne Cup three winners between 2000 and 2024, most recently Knight’s Choice (2024).
Barrier 22 is the widest gate to produce a Melbourne Cup winner between 2000 and 2024, most recently Brew in 2000.
Barrier 5 is the last gate to produce back-to-back Melbourne Cup winners with Green Moon (2012) and Fiorente (2013).
Barrier 5 is the latest Melbourne Cup winning barrier with Knight’s Choice in 2025.
Breakdown of winning Melbourne Cup barriers between 2000-24:
Barrier 1 – 1 (latest Prince Of Penzance in 2015)
Barrier 2 – 0
Barrier 3 – 1 (latest Media Puzzle in 2002)
Barrier 4 – 1 (latest Rekindling in 2017)
Barrier 5 – 3 (latest Knight’s Choice in 2024)
Barrier 6 – 0
Barrier 7 – 1 (latest Makybe Diva in 2004)
Barrier 8 – 1 (latest Viewed in 2008)
Barrier 9 – 1 (latest Efficient in 2007)
Barrier 10 – 2 (latest Protectionist in 2014)
Barrier 11 – 2 (latest Americain 2010)
Barrier 12 – 1 (latest Twilight Payment in 2020)
Barrier 13 – 2 (latest Gold Trip in 2022)
Barrier 14 – 2 (latest Makybe Diva in 2005)
Barrier 15 – 0
Barrier 16 – 1 (latest Without A Fight in 2023)
Barrier 17 – 1 (latest Almandin in 2016)
Barrier 18 – 1 (latest Verry Elleegant in 2021)
Barrier 19 – 1 (latest Cross Counter in 2018)
Barrier 20 – 0
Barrier 21 – 2 (latest Vow And Declare in 2019)
Barrier 22 – 1 (latest Brew in 2000)
Barrier 23 – 0
Barrier 24 – 0
Melbourne Cup Betting Favourites
Favourites in Melbourne Cup betting are those horses that jump at the shortest Melbourne Cup odds.
The last Melbourne Cup favourite to salute for the punters was Fiorente ($7 in 2013).
There was a huge upset in 2024 however with Knight’s Choice forgotten by the punters getting around at Melbourne Cup odds of $91.
Melbourne Cup Form
We offer a complete Melbourne Cup form guide and expert analysis on every horse in the Melbourne Cup field in addition to insider Melbourne Cup racing tips and betting odds.
Our Melbourne Cup form guides include:
- Melbourne Cup race preview and predictions
- Racing analysis on the event and runners
- Previous runs, barrier trials and lead-up statistics
- Key information on all horses in the race like trainer and jockey form
- Runner commentary
Whether you are just starting out tipping horses in the Melbourne Cup or you are an expert Melbourne Cup tipster, our form guide gives you all the statistics and information you need to make a smart bet on the Melbourne Cup.
How to Read the Melbourne Cup Guide
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how to interpret a horse’s form and performance indicators when looking at this year’s Melbourne Cup form guide:
Barrier Position: Evaluate the horse’s barrier draw and its historical performance from similar starting positions.
Recent Performances: Review the horse’s last few races, focusing on finish positions and the quality of competition faced.
Track and Distance Records: Check the horse’s performance on similar track conditions and distances to gauge suitability.
Jockey and Trainer Stats: Consider the success rates of the jockey and trainer combination, particularly in the Melbourne Cup race.
Weight Carried: Analyse how the weight carried in previous races compares to the Melbourne Cup as this can impact performance.
Melbourne Cup Day Betting
Melbourne Cup Day betting is dominated by online Melbourne Cup bets, but there are also a host of exciting support races that the TAB NZ offer top Flemington racing odds on.
The other Group status Melbourne Cup Day races to check out our insider Flemington racing tips for are the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) for two-year-old horses and the Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m).
In Sydney on Melbourne Cup Day the biggest race is the Listed $3 million The Big Dance (1600m) at Royal Randwick.
Melbourne Cup Results
The Melbourne Cup results are known when the iconic Flemington Race 7 takes place on the first Tuesday of November at 3:00pm (AEDT).
You can bet on the Melbourne Cup results nearly all year round with our futures Melbourne Cup markets here at the TAB NZ.
Betting on the Melbourne Cup results entails picking the Melbourne Cup winner and we can help you place an informed bet on the Melbourne Cup with our Melbourne Cup tips and form guide.
Other Melbourne Cup results include the winning jockeys, trainers, weight carried to victory and finishing time.
The complete Melbourne Cup finishing order shows what position every horse in the traditional 24-horse field ran.
Some punters even like to place bets on what horse will finish last in the Melbourne Cup results!
Melbourne Cup exotic results show how all the exotic Melbourne Cup bet types resulted like the Melbourne Cup Quinella, Melbourne Cup Exacta, Melbourne Cup Trifecta, and Melbourne Cup First Four.
Melbourne Cup Jockeys
Chasing down a ride on a horse in the Melbourne Cup field is serious business for jockeys and becoming a winning Melbourne Cup jockey is a life goal form many local and international hoops.
What jockeys are riding in the Melbourne Cup field is determined by the owners and trainers of the horses, and official Melbourne Cup jockey announcements are made in the weeks and days leading up to the race.
Robbie Dolan is the latest Melbourne Cup winning jockey having ridden Knight’s Choice to victory in 2024 in his first ever Melbourne Cup ride.
Mark Zahra rode the 2023 winner Without A Fight and 2022 Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip to victory making him the first jockey to ride two different Melbourne Cup champions on successive years since Harry White (1978-79).
Bobbie Lewis and Harry White are the equal most successful Melbourne Cup jockeys in history having ridden four winners each.
Most Melbourne Cup wins by a jockey:
4 – Bobbie Lewis (1902, 1915, 1919, 1927)
4 – Harry White (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979)
3 – Glen Boss (2003, 2004, 2005)
3 – Jim Johnson (1963, 1968, 1969)
3 – Kerrin McEvoy (2000, 2016, 2018)
3 – William H. McLachlan (1909, 1910, 1917)
3 – Darby Munro (1934, 1944, 1946)
3 – Damien Oliver (1995, 2002, 2013)
3 – Jack Purtell (1947, 1953, 1954)
Stay tuned to the TAB NZ racing blog to see what jockeys lock in a confirmed ride on one of the 24 Melbourne Cup horses this spring.
Confirmed 2025 Melbourne Cup Jockeys
- Mark Zahra – Al Riffa (Joseph O’Brien)
- Damian Lane – Chevalier Rose (Hisashi Shimizu)
- John Velazquez – Parchment Party (William Mott)
- Celine Gaudray – Torranzino (Paul Preusker)
- James McDonald – Meydaan (Simon & Ed Crisford)
- Rachel King – Arapaho (Bjorn Baker)
- Kerrin McEvoy – Absurde (Willie Mullins)
- Thore Hammer-Hansen – Flatten The Curve (Henk Grewe)
- Jamie Melham – Half Yours (Tony & Calvin McEvoy
- Stephane Pasquier – Presage Nocturne (Alessandro Botti)
- Blake Shinn – Vauban (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott)
- Ethan Brown – Middle Earth (Ciaron Maher)
- Tim Clark – Changingoftheguard (Kris Lees)
- Tommy Berry – More Felons (Chris Waller)
- Michale Dee – Furthur (Andrew Balding)
- Harry Coffey – Onesmoothoperator (Brian Ellison)
- Declan Bates – Athabascan (John O’Shea & Tom Charlton)
- Wayne Lordan – Goodie Two Shoes (Joseph O’Brien)
- Beau Mertens – River Of Stars (Chris Waller)
- Robbie Dolan – Royal Supremacy (Ciaron Maher)
- Jye McNeil – Valiant King (Chris Waller)
- Craig Williams – Buckaroo (Chris Waller)
- Ben Melham – Smokin’ Romans (Ciaron Maher)
- Joao Moreira – Land Legend (Chris Waller)
Melbourne Cup Trainers
The most successful Melbourne Cup trainer throughout history with 12 victories is the late ‘Cups King’ Bart Cummings whose latest win was with Viewed in 2008.
Lee Freedman is the latest back-to-back Melbourne Cup winning trainer with Makybe Diva (2004-05). Makybe Diva also won in 2003 when trained by David Hall.
John Symons & Sheila Laxon are the latest Melbourne Cup winning trainers having prepared Knight’s Choice to victory in 2024. Laxon also won in 2001 with the might New Zealand trained mare Ethereal.
Most Melbourne Cup wins by a trainer:
12 – Bart Cummings (1965, 1966, 1967, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1999, 2008)
5 – Etienne de Mestre (1861, 1862, 1867, 1877, 1878)
5 – Lee Freedman (1989, 1992, 1995, 2004, 2005)
Melbourne Cup Winners
Iconic Melbourne Cup winners throughout history include:
Archer (1861-62): The inaugural champion who claimed the first two Melbourne Cup races.
Phar Lap (1930): One of the most famous racehorses of all time, the New Zealand-bred hero with a giant heart who entered the history books as the shortest-priced Melbourne Cup favourite to win at 8-11 (A$1.72).
Peter Pan (1932, 1934): The first dual Melbourne Cup winner on non-successive years.
Vintage Crop (1993): The first international Melbourne Cup winner trained outside of the Southern hemisphere.
Kingston Rule (1999): Set the current Melbourne Cup record winning in 3 minutes 16.3 seconds.
Maykbe Diva (2003-05): Historic three-time champion and sole runner to win the event three times.
Ethereal (2001): Ace Kiwi mare who did the Caulfield Cup – Melbourne Cup double.
Viewed (2008): The 12th and last Melbourne Cup winner trained by the late “Cup King” Bart Cummings.
Americain (2010): The first French-trained Melbourne Cup winner.
Dunaden (2011): Went back-to-back for France when narrowly denying the gallant Red Cadeaux in the history’s closest ever Melbourne Cup finish.
Prince Of Penzance (2015): Another New Zealand-bred Melbourne Cup winner who won at $101 (the fourth to salute at 100-1 Melbourne Cup odds) and was the first to be ridden by a female jockey with Michelle Payne in the saddle.
Verry Elleegant (2021): Won the 161st edition to become the first Melbourne Cup winner from barrier 18.
Knight’s Choice (2024): This Sunshine Coast-trained son of Extreme Choice defied his recent form and breeding to run out the two miles at Flemington and salute in the 164th running of the Melbourne Cup at 90/1 in the markets. He was co-trained by New Zealander Shelia Laxon who famously won back in 2001 with Ethereal.
Bet on the next Melbourne Cup winner with our professional Melbourne Cup form guide and expert Melbourne Cup tips at the TAB NZ!
Past Melbourne Cup Results
Recent Melbourne Cup winners, jockeys, trainers, barriers, and weights carried to victory dating back to the year 2005 are detailed in the below table.
| Year | Winner – Age/Gender Breeding | Jockey | Weight (kgs) | Trainer/s | Barrier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | KNIGHT’S CHOICE (AUS) 5G EXTREME CHOICE (AUS) – MIDNIGHT PEARL (AUS) MORE THAN READY (USA) | ROBBIE DOLAN | 51.5 | J G SYMONS & S LAXON | 5 |
| 2023 | WITHOUT A FIGHT (IRE) 6G TEOFILO (IRE) – KHOR SHEED (GB) DUBAWI (IRE) | M J ZAHRA | 56.5 | A & S FREEDMAN | 16 |
| 2022 | GOLD TRIP (FR) 5H OUTSTRIP (GB) – SARVANA (FR) DUBAI DESTINATION (USA) | M J ZAHRA | 57.5 | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | 13 |
| 2021 | VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ) 6M ZED (NZ) – OPULENCE (NZ) DANROAD (AUS) | JAMES MCDONALD | 57.0 | CHRIS WALLER | 18 |
| 2020 | TWILIGHT PAYMENT (IRE) 7G TEOFILO (IRE) – DREAM ON BUDDY (IRE) OASIS DREAM (GB) | JYE MCNEIL | 55.5 | JOSEPH O’BRIEN | 12 |
| 2019 | VOW AND DECLARE (AUS) 4G DECLARATION OF WAR (USA) – GEBLITZT (AUS) TESTA ROSSA (AUS) | CRAIG WILLIAMS | 52.0 | DANNY O’BRIEN | 21 |
| 2018 | CROSS COUNTER (GB) 3G TEOFILO (IRE) – WAITRESS (USA) KINGMAMBO (USA) | K MCEVOY | 51.0 | C APPLEBY | 19 |
| 2017 | REKINDLING (GB) 3C HIGH CHAPARRAL (IRE) – SITARA (GB) SALSE (USA) | C W BROWN | 51.5 | JOSEPH O’BRIEN | 4 |
| 2016 | ALMANDIN (GER) 6G MONSUN (GER) – ANATOLA (GER) TIGER HILL (IRE) | K MCEVOY | 52.0 | ROBERT HICKMOTT | 17 |
| 2015 | PRINCE OF PENZANCE (NZ) 6G PENTIRE (GB) – ROYAL SUCCESSOR (USA) MR PROSPECTOR (USA) | MICHELLE PAYNE | 53.0 | DARREN WEIR | 1 |
| 2014 | PROTECTIONIST (GER) 4H MONSUN (GER) – PATINEUSE (IRE) PEINTRE CELEBRE (USA) | RYAN MOORE | 56.5 | A WOHLER | 10 |
| 2013 | FIORENTE (IRE) 5H MONSUN (GER) – DESERT BLOOM (IRE) PILSUDSKI (IRE) | DAMIEN OLIVER | 55.0 | MS G WATERHOUSE | 5 |
| 2012 | GREEN MOON (IRE) 5H MONTJEU (IRE) – GREEN NOON (FR) GREEN TUNE (USA) | B PREBBLE | 54.5 | ROBERT HICKMOTT | 5 |
| 2011 | DUNADEN (FR) 5H NICOBAR (GB) – LA MARLIA (FR) KALDOUNEVEES (FR) | C P LEMAIRE | 54.5 | M DELZANGLES | 13 |
| 2010 | AMERICAIN (USA) 5H DYNAFORMER (USA) – AMERICA (IRE) ARAZI (USA) | G MOSSE | 54.5 | A DE ROYER DUPRE | 11 |
| 2009 | SHOCKING (AUS) 4H STREET CRY (IRE) – MARIA DI CASTIGLIA (GB) DANEHILL (USA) | C W BROWN | 51.0 | MARK KAVANAGH | 21 |
| 2008 | VIEWED (AUS) 5H SCENIC (IRE) – LOVERS KNOT (NZ) KHOZAAM (USA) | B SHINN | 53.0 | BART CUMMINGS | 8 |
| 2007 | EFFICIENT (NZ) 4G ZABEEL (NZ) – REFUSED THE DANCE (NZ) DEFENSIVE PLAY (USA) | M RODD | 54.5 | GRAEME ROGERSON | 9 |
| 2006 | DELTA BLUES (JPN) 5H DANCE IN THE DARK (JPN) – DIXIE SPLASH (USA) DIXIELAND BAND (USA) | Y IWATA | 56.0 | KATSUHIKO SUMII | 10 |
| 2005 | MAKYBE DIVA (GB) 6M DESERT KING (IRE) – TUGELA (USA) RIVERMAN (USA) | G BOSS | 58.0 | D L FREEDMAN | 14 |
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