The 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup runs at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday the 4th of November as Flemington Race 7 at 3:00pm (AEDT) offering $10 million in total prize money for the first time!
The 165th edition of the Melbourne Cup runs on Tuesday November 4, 2025 and Ladbrokes have all the top Melbourne Cup odds, early betting tips, Melbourne Cup field updates and predictions on the big race!
2025 Melbourne Cup Odds
The latest Melbourne Cup 2025 odds will be updated below as the count down to the iconic two-mile handicap continues.
Flemington R7 - Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1)
FinalRace time:
1st
14. Half Yours (8)
J: Jamie Melham 53kg
15141T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy
9.00WIN
3.50PLACE
2nd
20. Goodie Two Shoes (20)
J: W M Lordan 51.5kg
1113xT: Joseph O'Brien
31.00WIN
8.50PLACE
3rd
7. Middle Earth (13)
J: Ethan Brown 54.5kg
50903T: Ciaron Maher
26.00WIN
8.00PLACE
4th
21. River Of Stars (14)
J: Beau Mertens 51.5kg
x7802T: Chris Waller
19.00WIN
6.00PLACE
5th
23. Torranzino (18)
J: Celine Gaudray 51kg
80821T: Paul Preusker
34.00WIN
9.00PLACE
6th
4. Vauban (2)
J: Blake Shinn 56.5kg
x3650T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
21.00WIN
6.50PLACE
7th
1. Al Riffa (19)
J: Mark Zahra 59kg
x4211T: Joseph O'Brien
7.50WIN
3.10PLACE
8th
9. Absurde (4)
J: Kerrin McEvoy 53.5kg
2x3x7T: Willie Mullins
19.00WIN
6.00PLACE
9th
13. Changingoftheguard (24)
J: Tim Clark 53kg
82106T: Kris Lees
61.00WIN
14.00PLACE
10th
8. Meydaan (22)
J: James McDonald 54kg
05239T: Simon & Ed Crisford
26.00WIN
7.50PLACE
11th
17. Furthur (7)
J: Michael Dee 52kg
52516T: Andrew Balding
41.00WIN
11.00PLACE
12th
3. Arapaho (15)
J: Rachel King 56.5kg
36408T: Bjorn Baker
31.00WIN
8.50PLACE
13th
10. Flatten The Curve (17)
J: Thore Hammer-Hansen 53.5kg
1411xT: Henk Grewe
21.00WIN
6.50PLACE
14th
12. Smokin' Romans (11)
J: Ben Melham 53.5kg
72948T: Ciaron Maher
67.00WIN
15.00PLACE
15th
22. Royal Supremacy (21)
J: Robbie Dolan 51kg
11215T: Ciaron Maher
34.00WIN
8.50PLACE
16th
24. Valiant King (10)
J: Jye McNeil 51kg
3x013T: Chris Waller
9.50WIN
3.70PLACE
18th
15. More Felons (23)
J: Tommy Berry 53kg
x0944T: Chris Waller
41.00WIN
11.00PLACE
19th
6. Presage Nocturne (9)
J: Stephane Pasquier 55.5kg
13x34T: Alessandro Botti
5.50WIN
2.80PLACE
20th
18. Parchment Party (3)
J: John R Velazquez 52kg
2311xT: William I Mott
71.00WIN
14.00PLACE
21st
19. Athabascan (1)
J: Declan Bates 51.5kg
x0002T: John O'Shea & Tom Charlton
61.00WIN
15.00PLACE
22nd
11. Land Legend (16)
J: Joao Moreira 53.5kg
39500T: Chris Waller
61.00WIN
14.00PLACE
23rd
5. Chevalier Rose (5)
J: Damian Lane 55.5kg
70x0xT: Hisashi Shimizu
51.00WIN
13.00PLACE
24th
2. Buckaroo (12)
J: Craig Williams 57kg
x3232T: Chris Waller
14.00WIN
4.60PLACE
For current odds on all of our live racing markets, please visit www.ladbrokes.com.au/racing. Data retrieved: 01/06/2026 10:40:33 AM (Australia/Brisbane)
General Melbourne Cup betting tips include looking for international performers, proven two-mile horses and gallopers coming off a top four run last start.
From 2009 – 2024 all but three of the Melbourne Cup winners finished first four in their lead-up run including four coming off a victory.
In 2022 Gold Trip improved on a lead-up ninth in the Cox Plate to win the 162nd Melbourne Cup.
In 2023 Without A Fight won the Melbourne Cup off a lead-up victory in the Caulfield Cup the month before.
In 2024 Knight’s Choice scored an upset in the Melbourne Cup results after a fifth in the Bendigo Cup.
Melbourne Cup tips can be found everywhere in the lead-up to the race, but the big field, handicap conditions and distance of the race make it very difficult to back the winner. The presence of a number of international horses and a variety of different form lines make it even more difficult to back the winner of the Melbourne Cup, which his why upsets Melbourne Cup results are not uncommon.
Other tips for Melbourne Cup punters is to look at several key lead up races that are considered good guides for Melbourne Cup performance.
Pay attention to strong runs in races like the Cox Plate and the Caulfield Cup.
Fiorente (2013) followed by Verry Elleegant (2021) and Gold Trip (2022) are the latest Melbourne Cup winners to back-up off a Cox Plate having run 3rd, 3rd and 9th.
Gold Trip ran 2nd in the 2022 Caulfield Cup before his Melbourne Cup victory with the Cox Plate run in between, while in 2023 Without A Fight did the Melbourne Cup – Caulfield Cup double for the first time since 2001.
Another tip for people who are looking to have some fun with different bets on the day need not fear the exotics. Picking the Melbourne Cup trifecta pays extremely well along with other exotic bets including the quinella and first four. For instance this year there is plenty of value in horses that have genuine chances at double figure odds.
2025 Melbourne Cup Tips
Our expert team of tipsters will provide the 2025 Melbourne Cup betting tips below closer to Melbourne Cup Day so stay tuned for the stayers to back and sack for the two mile classic this spring.
Once the final field has been accepted and finalised we will be placing our top tips and selections for the Melbourne Cup here.
2025 Melbourne Cup Same Race Multi Selections ($81 at time of publish)
The Melbourne Cup is the biggest race run in Australia each year and the two-mile classic takes place on the first Tuesday of November as Flemington Race 7 each spring. The highlight of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, the Group 1 staying showdown attracts a field of genuine turf stars including a host of international raiders.
Offering an incredible $10 million in prize money and trophies for the first time in 2025, the Melbourne Cup is the richest handicap race in the world and is equal second in prize money alongside the $10 million The Golden Eagle held in Sydney when it comes to flat racing in Australia behind only Group 1 $20 million The Everest.
Cross Counter (2018) continued the recent dominance of internationals in the Melbourne Cup results. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Key lead-up races into the Melbourne Cup field each season include the Group 1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate (2040m) and the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) with the latter now offering a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption.
In 2022 the Geelong Cup winner Emissary ran a brave second in the Melbourne Cup quinella at a big price.
Makybe Diva (2005) was the last horse to take out the Cox Plate – Melbourne Cup double without a run between the two spring majors. She also saluted in the 2003 and 2004 Melbourne Cup results and is the sole triple champion of the ‘race that stops a nation’.
In 2021 Verry Elleegant became the 14th overall mare and 12th individual female galloper to win the Lexus Melbourne Cup improving on a lead-up third in the Cox Plate.
In 2022 there were five mares that started in the Melbourne Cup field with the best result being a third from High Emocean who finished in the money behind her winning stablemate Gold Trip.
The Geelong Cup – Melbourne Cup double meanwhile was last completed by Dunaden (2011) who was the second French raider in as many years to take out the latter after Americain won the same two races the previous spring.
Held on Turnbull Stakes Day in early October, the Group 3 The Bart Cummings also offers a Melbourne cup ballot exemption.
The Melbourne Cup race runs over 3200m and is one of the few events still contested over this traditional Cups’ distance in Australia. The Melbourne Cup prize money has increased dramatically over the years since the race was first sponsored in 1985 and stakes went up to $1 million.
International horses are making more and more of an impact in the Melbourne Cup results. The first Northern hemisphere-trained Melbourne Cup winners was the Dermot Weld-trained Vintage Crop (1993), while from 2014 – 2020 five of the seven Melbourne Cup winners were from overseas including in 2020 when Twilight Payment defeated fellow raiders Tiger Moth and Prince Of Arran in an all-international Melbourne Cup trifecta.
There were two internationally-trained horses in the 2022 Melbourne Cup with Deauville Legend running fourth as the beaten favourite and Without A Fight running 13th.
Shocking (2009) meanwhile was the last Australian-bred Melbourne Cup winner before Vow And Declare (2019) broke the drought saluting for Australia in the 2019 Melbourne Cup Results.
In 2021 the internationals were again in the Melbourne Cup trifecta with Spanish Mission from the UK running third behind Verry Elleegant and the beaten favourite Incentivise.
The 2022 Melbourne Cup winner, Gold Trip, was French-bred and imported but officially trained in Australia by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace.
The 2023 Melbourne Cup winner, Without A Fight, improved on his 13th as an international the year before with the now Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained galloper backing-up off a Group 1 Caulfield Cup victory. He became the first to do the Spring Cups double since Ethereal in 2001.
The 2024 Melbourne Cup winner, Knight’s Choice, improved on a lead-up fifth in the Bendigo Cup to win at huge odds of $91 with Robbie Dolan aboard. Co-trainer Shelia Laxon became a two-time champion trainer following on from her historic 2001 victory with Ethereal.
There have been many dual Melbourne Cup champions since the first, inaugural winner Archer going back-to-back in 1861-62, but Makybe Diva (2003-05) remains the only triple Melbourne Cup winner in history.
The Melbourne Cup training record is held by former champion horseman Bart Cummings dubbed the “Cup King”. Cummings celebrated his 12th Melbourne Cup victory in 2008 with Viewed.
The closest ever finish in Melbourne Cup history occurred in 2011 when the French-trained Dunaden narrowly held off Red Cadeuax. Dunaden was also the second French galloper in as many years to win top prize after Americain became the first in 2010 for the 150th anniversary of the Melbourne Cup.
From 2022, Sydney runs the $3 million The Big Dance (1600m) race at Royal Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day each year.
Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington meanwhile is also host to two Group 3 support races with the running of the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) for two-year-olds and the Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m).
The official Melbourne Cup 2025 results revealing the 2025 Melbourne Cup winner will be published right here once the race is run and won on Tuesday November 4, 2025.
1st: No. 14 Half Yours (8)
2nd: No. 20 Goodie Two Shoes (20)
3rd: No. 7 Middle Earth (13)
4th: No. 21 River Of Stars (14)
Melbourne Cup Betting
Melbourne Cup betting markets are available months in advance of the race and these pre-field odds are also known as ante-post or futures markets.
The Melbourne Cup is not only the biggest race in Australian horse racing, but is arguably the most popular event in the country every single year. Even non-racing fans are looking frantically for the best Melbourne Cup odds come race day, with sweeps also occurring in workplaces across the country.
Pre-post betting markets for the Melbourne Cup are available all year round, but the real money is invested in the three days prior to the race. The Melbourne Cup is easily the most popular betting event in Australia and the staggering amount of money wagered on the race means that there is generally great value available for every single runner in the field.
Melbourne Cup favourites have a poor record in the race with the only one to salute for the punters since Makybe Diva (2005) being Fiorente ($7 in 2013). Roughie hopes in Melbourne Cup betting have had plenty of success including most famously in recent years Prince Of Penzance ($101) who scored the upset at triple figures for trainer Darren Weir in 2015.
There were big Melbourne Cup odds on offer for the 2020 winner Twilight Payment who won at 25/1.
The 2021 Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant won at odds of $18 improving on her seventh the year before.
There was also value to be found in the 2022 Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip who won at $21 defeating fellow outsiders in betting Emissary ($26) and High Emocean ($41), while the 2022 Melbourne Cup favourite Deauville Legend ($4.40) ran fourth.
The 2023 Melbourne Cup winner Without A Fight was at single-figures saluting as an $8 shot in Melbourne Cup betting. He defeated the Chris Waller-trained Soulcombe ($9.50) and Sheraz ($151).
One of the biggest upsets in recent history occurred in 2024 with Knight’s Choice saluting at Melbourne Cup odds of $91!
Melbourne Cup Field
The Melbourne Cup race field has a capacity of 24 horses with no emergencies allowed for the iconic Flemington Race 7 on the first Tuesday of November annually.
In 2020 the Melbourne Cup field ran with just 23 starters following the race day scratching of King Of Leogrance.
There were also 23 horses in the Melbourne Cup 2021 field after the race morning withdrawal of Future Score.
The 2022 Melbourne Cup field ran with 22 horses after Point Nepean and Lunar Flare were scratched from the original line-up of final acceptors.
The 2023 Melbourne Cup final field ran with 23 runners after Cleveland was scratched on the eve of the race.
The 2024 Melbourne Cup final field also ran with 23 runners after Athabascan was scratched on the night before the race.
Melbourne Cup Ballot Exempt Races
There are currently 10 races offering a “golden ticket” into the Melbourne Cup field with the following races offering the winners a ballot free ride for the famous Flemington feature as of 2025.
International Melbourne Cup ballot exemption races:
The Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup (3219m)
Listed EborHandicap (2816m)
Australian Melbourne Cup ballot exemption races:
LexusRoyHiggins (2600m)
Listed LexusAndrewRamsden (2800m)
Group 3 LexusArcherStakes (2500m)
Group 3 LexusBartCummings (2500m)
Group 1 CaulfieldCup (2400m)
Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m)
Group 2 Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m)
Group 1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m)
Melbourne Cup final acceptances close on Victoria Derby Day the Saturday prior, which is the first meeting of the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival, while the early Melbourne Cup nominations are taken way back in late August or early September.
Any horse balloted out of the 24-starter Melbourne Cup field that goes on to win the Group 3 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) on Champions Stakes Day the following Saturday is eligible for a VRC Bonus.
2025 Melbourne Cup Acceptance Dates
2025 Melbourne Cup Nominations: Closed on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 @ 12:00pm (Melbourne time) – 120 nominations (19 internationals).
2025 Melbourne Cup Late Entries: Close on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 @ 12:00pm (Melbourne time).
2025 Melbourne Cup Third Declarations: Closed on Monday, October 27, 2025 @ 12:00pm (Melbourne time) – 40 remaining runners including 11 internationals.
2025 Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw: Takes place on Saturday, November 1, 2025 @ 6:30pm (Melbourne time) following the Derby Day racing.
2025 Melbourne Cup Final Field & Barrier Draw
The Melbourne Cup 2025 Field & Barriers will be out the Saturday prior to the big $10 million classic and will be detailed in the section below when it’s made available by Racing Victoria following the VRC Derby Day races.
The 2025 Melbourne Cup barrier draw takes place on the Saturday evening from 6:30pm (AEDT).
The official Lexus Melbourne Cup 2025 final field and barriers are now out with Caulfield Cup winner Half Yours the narrow favourite drawn well in barrier 8.
Flemington R7 - Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1)
FinalRace time:
Entrant
Last 6
Sex
Barrier
Weight
1. Al RiffaJ: Mark Zahra T: Joseph O'Brien
3x4211
H
19
59kg
2. BuckarooJ: Craig Williams T: Chris Waller
0x3232
G
12
57kg
3. ArapahoJ: Rachel King T: Bjorn Baker
x36408
G
15
56.5kg
4. VaubanJ: Blake Shinn T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
0x3650
G
2
56.5kg
5. Chevalier RoseJ: Damian Lane T: Hisashi Shimizu
All times are for the first Tuesday of November 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 Form Guide
The Melbourne Cup form guide is poured over by punters right around Australia and the world in the lead-up to the race.
The Caulfield Cup is generally considered the major lead-up race to the Melbourne Cup, but no horse had completed the Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup double since Ethereal in 2001 until the 2023 victory in both events by Without A Fight.
The Cox Plate continues to grow as a Melbourne Cup form guide despite the notable difference in distances between the two spring features. Other races that have produced the Melbourne Cup winner in recent years include the Herbert Power Stakes, the Geelong Cup and the Lexus Stakes.
The Melbourne Cup each year attracts an incredible amount of betting activity and people are always looking out for the best tips to give them the winning edge. The Ladbrokes blog provides in depth racing tips and analysis on a daily basis.
Melbourne Cup Form Facts
From 2010 – 2024 six internationally-trained raiders saluted in the Melbourne Cup most recently Twilight Payment (2020).
Trainer Robert Hickmott for prolific owner Lloyd Williams prepared three Melbourne Cup winners between 2012 – 2019.
In 2020 Lloyd Williams celebrated his record seventh Melbourne Cup success as a trainer.
Fiorente ($7 in 2013) was the last favourite in Melbourne Cup betting to salute.
Upset Melbourne Cup results are common with blow-out odds on offer for the likes of Viewed ($41 in 2008), Prince Of Penzance ($101 in 2015), Twilight Payment ($26 in 2020), and Knight’s Choice ($91 in 2024).
Barrier 11 has been the most successful Melbourne Cup gate in the past 30 years.
Triple champion Makybe Diva (2003-05) followed by Verry Elleegant (2021) are the last mares to win the Melbourne Cup.
Six-year-olds have an outstanding recent record in the Melbourne Cup results with seven winning between 2010 – 2024 most recently Verry Elleegant (2021) and Gold Trip (2022).
2025 Melbourne Cup Form Guide
A link to the official Melbourne Cup 2025 Form Guide will be provided below as soon as the final Melbourne Cup field is announced on the Saturday before the race.
Stay tuned for the breaking news on the horses and jockeys that are in and out of the Melbourne Cup 2025 field this spring.
2025 Melbourne Cup Jockeys
Stay tuned here for the confirmed 2025 Melbourne Cup jockeys. See what jockeys have locked in a ride aboard 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)
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)
Mark Zahra to ride Al Riffa: Zahra has been locked in to ride the 59kg topweight, Irish raider Al Riffa, in his bid at a third Melbourne Cup trophy in four years. Zahra famously went back-to-back on Gold Trip (2022) and Without A Fight (2023) and gets a chance to partner one of the best in betting in 2025 with Joesph O’Brien’s galloper coming off a dominant four-length win in the Group 1 Irish St Leger to stamp his credentials as a genuine Cup contender.
John Velazuez to ride Parchment Party: American Hall of Fame jockey Velazuez will be down under for the historic ride on Parchment Party when William Mott’s Belmont Gold Cup winner becomes the first US trained horse to contest the Melbourne Cup.
Damian Lane to ride Chevalier Rose: Lane is set to partner Hisashi Shimizu’s Japanese raider in the Cup field with the veteran Deep Impact eight-year-old a proven Group 2 winner up to 3600m.
Celine Gaudray to ride Torranzino: Gaudry will make her Melbourne Cup debut aboard Torranzino after the duo combined to claim a golden ticket entry into the ‘race that stops a nation’ via a Ladbrokes Geelong Cup upset on October 23.
James McDonald to ride Meydaan: J-Mac has been confirmed as the new rider for UK raider Meydaan. Meydaan, a five-year-old by Frankel, was previously ridden by Andrea Atzeni in the Caulfield Cup, where he finished ninth after a tough run caught three-wide from barrier five. Despite missing Derby Day to ride Autumn Glow in the $10 million Golden Eagle, McDonald will be at Flemington for Cup week and now takes over the reins on Meydaan.
Rachel King to ride Arapaho: Rachel King has been confirmed to ride Arapaho in the 2025 Melbourne Cup. The experienced jockey reunites with the Bjorn Baker-trained stayer, who earned his spot in the Cup field after consistent performances this spring. Arapaho, known for his staying ability and toughness highlighted by his Sydney Cup win, will be looking to improve on his previous Cup effort when 11th to Gold Trip in 2022, and King’s familiarity with the horse is a major asset heading into the big race.
Kerrin McEvoy to ride Absurde: McEvoy has been confirmed to ride Absurde, teaming up with the Willie Mullins-trained Irish stayer who’s back for his third crack at the race after finishing seventh in 2023 and fifth in 2024. McEvoy, a three-time Cup winner, was impressed with Absurde during trackwork at Werribee, noting the gelding’s sharpness and maturity. Absurde arrived off a strong third in the Irish St. Leger and comes in via a Caulfield Cup 7th.
Thore Hammer-Hansen to ride Flatten The Curve: Thore Hammer-Hansen has been confirmed to ride German raider Flatten The Curve in Cup. The Danish-born jockey, who’s been making waves in Australia, will partner the dour stayer trained by Henk Grewe. Flatten The Curve is proven up to 3700m overseas and recently won back-to-back races over two miles or further including a 3319m event by 5.5 lengths with 57kg back in August.
Jamie Melham to ride Half Yours: Jamie Melham is confirmed to ride Half Yours who is out to become just the 13th horse in history to complete the Spring Cups double. The pairing comes off a historic win in the Caulfield Cup, where Melham became the first female jockey to claim victory in the prestigious 2400m spring major. Half Yours, trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, surged late to win the Caulfield Cup and earned a 2kg penalty for the Melbourne Cup, lifting his weight from 51kg to 53kg. Despite the added impost, connections have declared it’s “all systems go” for the Cup, with Melham retaining the ride.
Stephane Pasquier to ride Presage Nocturne: Pasquier will continue his partnership with the French-trained stayer after a strong showing in the Caulfield Cup. Presage Nocturne, trained by Alessandro Botti, finished a credible fourth in the 2025 Caulfield Cup, and connections have expressed confidence in his progression heading into the Melbourne Cup. The grey son of Wootton Bassett has built a solid record in Europe and now looks to peak over two miles at Flemington. Pasquier, a seasoned international jockey, retains the ride after guiding the horse through his Australian campaign, and the pair will be looking to improve on their Caulfield effort with a strong staying test in the Cup.
Blake Shinn to ride Vauban: Shinn, who rode Viewed to victory in the 2008 Melbourne Cup, will partner Irish import Vauban in the 2025 race for the Waterhouse & Bott yard. Vauban has his third Melbourne Cup tilt after a 14th in 2023 and 11th last year when prepared by Willie Mullins.
Ethan Brown to ride Middle Earth: Brown partnered Ciaron Maher’s import Middle Earth to finish third in the Group 3 JRA Cup at Moonee Valley, reigniting the import’s Melbourne Cup ambitions. Brown sticks aboard for the two-mile classic with Middle Earth sure to appreciate a drop in weight from 60kg to 54.5kg.
Tim Clark to ride Changingoftheguard: Clark has been confirmed to ride Changingoftheguard for trainer Kris Lees, adding another seasoned Group 1 jockey to the lineup for this year’s race. Changingoftheguard, an Irish import formerly trained by Aidan O’Brien, has won just one of his starts in Australia to date in the Listed Tatt’s Cup over 2400m at Randwick in early September and was last seen crossing fourth with 60kg behind Torranzino in the Geelong Cup.
Tommy Berry to ride More Felons: Berry has been booked to continue associations with More Felons having ridden the import for his three latest starts this prep. Trained by Chris Waller, More Felons has been steadily building toward the two-mile test at Flemington having shown promise since arriving in Australia including a strong finish in the Group 1 The Metrop (4th) only 1.34 lengths beaten and fourth again in the Group 3 St Leger over 2600m at Randwick on October 18.
Michael Dee to ride Furthur: Dee has been confirmed to ride Furthur for British trainer Andrew Balding. The Group 3 winning grey, who races as a four-year-old down under, is one of the emerging international contenders targeting the 3200m Flemington feature. The young horse has shown solid staying form in Europe and arrives in Australia with a progressive profile suited to the Cup’s testing distance. Dee, a Caulfield Cup and Victoria Derby-winning rider, brings tactical versatility and big-race experience to the partnership.
Harry Coffey to ride Onesmoothoperator: Onesmoothoperator, trained in the UK by Brian Ellison, secured his place in the Melbourne Cup field with a dominant win in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup on Cox Plate eve. Mark Zahra guided the gelding to victory with a cold ride from the back, slicing through the field to win eased down — a performance that earned the horse a 1kg penalty, lifting his Cup weight to 53kg, but it is Coffey who will be aboard for the 3200m feature.
Declan Bates to ride Athabascan: Bates has been confirmed to ride OTI Racing’s Athabascan in Cup, securing a key booking for the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained stayer. Athabascan earned his place in the Cup field with his strong run for second behind Onesmoothoperator in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup atoning for his three previous unplaced spring performances.
Wayne Lordan to ride Goodie Two Shoes: Lordan has been confirmed to ride Goodie Two Shoes teaming up with trainer Joseph O’Brien for another tilt at Australia’s greatest race. Fastnet Rock mare Goodie Two Shoes, one of two Cup runners for O’Brien alongside current race favourite Al Riffa, arrives in Melbourne as an outsider in the market but with solid European staying form. Lordan’s booking adds experience with the Irish jockey having previously ridden in major races across the globe. While Al Riffa is the stable’s headline act, Goodie Two Shoes has been working well at Werribee quarantine and is expected to relish the step up to 3200m at Flemington as she’s proven up to 3419m in Europe.
Beau Mertens to ride River Of Stars: Mertens is locked in to partner Chris Waller’s Sea the Stars mare continuing his association with the seven-year-old import after partnering her huge Caulfield Cup second earlier this spring when only a half-length beaten as a 90/1 outsider. River Of Stars has emerged as a genuine staying prospect this campaign and produced a bold front-running effort in the 2025 Caulfield Cup, leading into the first turn under Mertens before being overhauled late by Half Yours. Despite finishing second, the performance was full of merit and earned her a spot in the Melbourne Cup field.
Robbie Dolan to ride Royal Supremacy: Dolan is confirmed to ride Royal Supremacy in stepping in after his original mount, Knight’s Choice, was ruled out due to a stable illness. Dolan, who famously won the 2024 Melbourne Cup aboard Knight’s Choice at odds of $91, will now partner Royal Supremacy, the Group 1 The Metropolitan winner in Sydney. Maher’s Irish-bred stayer surged into Cup contention with a powerful win at Randwick, showcasing a sharp turn of foot and strong staying ability over 2400m before a credible Caulfield Cup fifth.
Jye McNeil to ride Valiant King: McNeil will partner the flying Chris Waller trained Valiant King, continuing his association with the in-form stayer after guiding him to victory in The Bart Cummings. The Roaring Lion grey secured his place in the Melbourne Cup field with a dominant win in the Group 3 Bart Cummings (2520m) at Flemington, where McNeil produced a perfectly timed ride to storm home from off the pace and win by 2¾ lengths. That victory granted the five-year-old a ballot exemption, locking in his spot for the 3200m feature on Tuesday. McNeil, who famously won the 2020 Melbourne Cup aboard Twilight Payment, brings proven Cup-winning credentials and a calm tactical style that suits Valiant King’s strong-finishing profile. The pair will be aiming to replicate their Flemington success on the biggest stage of all. Valiant King went on to run the ideal lead-up when third in the Caulfield Cup.
Craig Williams to ride Buckaroo: Williams is confirmed to ride Buckaroo taking the reins of the Cox Plate runner-up for trainer Chris Waller. Buckaroo surged into Melbourne Cup contention after a gallant second-place finish behind Via Sistina in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, prompting part-owner Ozzie Kheir to push for a Cup campaign. With his form peaking and a strong spring preparation that includes placings in the Underwood Stakes (2nd) and Might And Power (3rd), Buckaroo now shapes as a serious threat over 3200m at Flemington. Williams, a Melbourne Cup-winning jockey aboard Vow And Declare in 2019, will ride Buckaroo on 57kg.
Ben Melham to ride Smokin’ Romans: Melham is confirmed to ride Smokin’ Romans in reuniting with the Ciaron Maher-trained stayer for another crack at the two-mile classic. Smokin’ Romans, a seasoned campaigner and former Group 1 Turnbull Stakes winner from 2022, has earned his place in the Cup field following consistent performances throughout the spring. Most recently, he contested the Moonee Valley Gold Cup, where Melham partnered him over 2500m, finishing eighth behind Onesmoothoperator.
Joao Moreira to ride Land Legend: Brazilian star Moreira will partner Land Legend for Chris Waller in the 2025 Melbourne Cup, continuing his association with the lightly weighted stayer who is out to atone for back-to-back last place efforts in the Turnbull (14th) and Caulfield Cup (18th).
2025 Melbourne Cup Nominations
Early Melbourne Cup 2025 Nominations featuring a huge list of potential runners in the two-mile classic close in late August or early September and will be detailed in full below as soon as released.
The official 2025 Melbourne Cup Nominations closed on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 @ 12:00pm (Melbourne time), attracting 120 early entries including 19 internationals led by all-in favourite Al Riffa for two-time winning Irish horseman Joseph O’Brien.
The 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup nominations feature last year’s champion Knight’s Choice who won at 90/1 in 2024 along with Ciaron Maher’s third placegetter Okita Soushi, while master trainer Chris Waller has 27 nominees including Via Sistina.
The 2025 Melbourne Cup weights have been released with Joseph O’Brien’s Irish St Leger winner Al Riffa and the Chris Waller trained 2024 Cox Plate winning mare Via Sistina the equal 59kg topweights.
For the full list of Lexus Melbourne Cup weights and the Order of Entry as of 16 September 2025, please click here.
2025 Melbourne Cup Nominations: Quick Glance
120 total nominations taken
Down from 123 in 2024
19 international nominees
Joesph O’Brien’s Irish raider Al Riffa current $9 favourite
Defending champion Knight’s Choice at a current all-in price of $51 to go back-to-back
Last year’s third placegetter Okita Soushi one of 13 for trainer Ciaron Maher
27 for Chris Waller chasing his second trophy including unlikely final acceptor Via Sistina
2025 Melbourne Cup First Acceptances
The official Melbourne Cup 2025 first acceptances closeon Tuesday, September 30, 2025 @ 12:00pm (Melbourne time).
The Melbourne Cup 2025 first acceptances attracted 66 stayers led by recent Turnbull Stakes – Underwood Stakes double champion Sir Delius.
2025 Melbourne Cup First Acceptances: Quick Glance
66 total first acceptances taken
Down from 72 in 2024
11 international nominees (up from 6 at the same stage last year)
Horses from Ireland, America, Japan, Germany and the UK all remain in Melbourne Cup contention
Sir Delius for Waterhouse & Bott $4 top fancy
Joesph O’Brien’s Irish raider Al Riffa second favourite at $6
Al Riffa and unlikely final acceptor Via Sistina 59kg top-weights
Defending champion Knight’s Choice withdrawn
Last year’s third placegetter Okita Soushi also ruled out
14 for Chris Waller chasing his second trophy (down from 27 at nomination stage)
Parchment Party, Revelare and Deakin ballot exempt horses paid up for at first acceptance stage
2025 Melbourne Cup Second Acceptances
The Lexus Melbourne Cup 2025 second acceptances closed on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 @ 12:00pm (Melbourne time).
The 2025 Melbourne Cup second acceptances originally drew 53 horses but there are now 51 left in the mix following two subsequent withdrawals.
The big news following the Melbourne Cup second declarations was the withdrawal of race favourite Sir Delius on vets’ orders.
2025 Melbourne Cup Second Acceptances: Quick Glance
53 second acceptances taken but 2 subsequent withdrawals leave 51 remaining runners
Via Sistina (targeting Cox Plate) and Aeliananotable withdrawals for Waller
8 remain for Chris Waller led by The Bart Cummings winner Valiant King
Sir Delius subsequently withdrawn on vets’ orders from the Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate
11 internationals still in the mix
Joseph O’Brien’s Irish raider and topweight Al Riffa new $5 favourite
Remaining Ballot Exempt Horses
Valiant King – Group 3 The Bart Cummings winner
Deakin – Listed Roy Higgins Quality winner
Revelare – Group 3 Lexus Archer Stakes winner
Parchment Party – Group 3 Belmont Gold Cup winner
2025 Melbourne Cup Third Acceptances
The Lexus Melbourne Cup 2025 third acceptances close on Monday, October 27, 2025 @ 12:00pm (Melbourne time).
The Lexus Melbourne Cup 2025 third acceptances have left 40 remaining hopefuls including the Joesph O’Brien trained favourite and 59kg topweight Al Riffa to be ridden by Mark Zahra and Chris Waller’s Cox Plate runner-up Buckaroo who will be partnered by Craig Williams.
2025 Melbourne Cup Third Acceptances: Quick Glance
40 third acceptors
11 remaining international raiders led by 59kg top weight Al Riffa
Al Riffa leads the latest all-in Melbourne Cup betting markets at $6
Five ballot exempt contenders remain with Half Yours, Onesmoothoperator, Parchment Party, Torranzino and Valiant King
8 chances for trainer Chris Waller led by Caulfield Cup third placed Valiant King and Cox Plate runner-up Buckaroo
Melbourne Cup Facts & Statistics
Below we have a look at some of the key Melbourne Cup facts and statistics ahead of the next edition of the ‘race that stops a nation’.
Weight:
The four of the past nine Melbourne Cup winners all carried under 53kg to victory most recently Knight’s Choice (51.5kg in 2024)
The most successful weight with eight wins overall is 54.5kg
Makybe Diva (2005) is the only Melbourne Cup winner to carry 58kgs or more to victory in the past 35 years
Gold Trip (57.5kg in 2022) is the last Melbourne Cup top-weight to win
Verry Elleegant (2021) carried 57kg to victory; the first winner since Makybe Diva (58kg in 2005) to successfully carry more than 56.5kg
The latest Melbourne Cup weight carried to victory was 51.5kg by Knight’s Choice in 2024
Name:
Since 1924 only 10 Melbourne Cup winners had a first name beginning with a vowel (A = 4, E = 5 and 0 = 1)
Since 1924 only four Melbourne Cup winners had a name starting with ‘A’ (Almandin, Americain, Arwon and At Talaq)
The only Melbourne Cup winner in history to have a name starting with ‘O’ was Old Rowley (1940)
The five Melbourne Cup winners since 1924 to have a name starting with ‘E’ are: Efficient, Ethereal, Empire Rose, Even Stevens and Evening Deal
Favourites:
Only 34 Melbourne Cup favourites have won throughout history for a strike rate of just under 21%
Age:
Four-year-olds have the best strike rate (46 wins) followed by five-year-olds (45 wins most recently Knight’s Choice in 2024)
Saddlecloth:
Saddlecloth numbers 4 has produced 12 Melbourne Cup winners following Verry Elleegant in 2021
No. 12 is the next best with 11 Melbourne Cup winners
The most successful Melbourne Cup saddlecloth number in the last 35 years with 6 wins in Number 6 – most recently carried to victory by Twilight Payment in 2020
Colour:
13 of the past 18 Melbourne Cup winners were coloured bay most recently Twilight Payment (2020), Gold Trip (2022), and Knight’s Choice (2024)
Mares:
There have only been 17 female Melbourne Cup winners with Makybe Diva (2003-2005) accounting for three and Verry Elleegant (2021) the latest
2025 Melbourne Cup Horses: As The Field Takes Shape
The Melbourne Cup 2025 horses will be detailed on the dedicated Melbourne Cup Horses page accessible above as we draw closer to the great race.
Melbourne Cup Favourites
From 2006 – 2024 just one favourite in Melbourne Cup betting saluted for the punters with Fiorente ($7 in 2013)
Makybe Diva (2004-05) was the last back-to-back Melbourne Cup favourite to salute; she also won her first ‘Loving Trophy’ as an $8 chance in 2003
Before Makybe Diva the last time Melbourne Cup favourites won back-to-back was Might And Power (1997) and Jezabeel (1998)
Since 2006 the worst result from a beaten Melbourne Cup favourite was the ill-fated Admire Rakti (22nd of 22 horses) in 2014
Since 2006 only three Melbourne Cup favourites have finished in the money: So You Think (3rd in 2010), Fiorente (1st in 2013) and Hartnell (3rd in 2016)
The 2022 Melbourne Cup favourite, Deauville Legend, ran fourth
The 2023 Melbourne Cup favourite, Vauban, ran a disappointing 14th
The 2024 Melbourne Cup favourite, Buckaroo, finished ninth
The 2025 Melbourne Cup favourite, Presage Nocturne, finished 19th
Melbourne Cup Bet Types
Win – The most basic type of bet. Put your money straight up on the runner that you think will win the Melbourne Cup.
Place – Pick the horse that you think will finish in the top three positions but at lower odds.
Each-Way – Put equal amounts on a horse for the win and a place, the equivalent of two bets and you get paid out for both if it wins.
Quinella – Bet on the horses you think will finish first and second in either order. You can also pick for example one horse to finish 1st and then a combination The fewer horses you pick the greater the dividend.
Exacta – An exacta also involves choosing horses that you think will finish first and second but it differs from a quinella in that it has to be the exact order you specify in the bet.
Trifecta – Very similar to an Exacta, but for the first, second and third placings in the correct finishing order. You can also Box Trifecta to finish in any of the first 3 combinations.
First Four – A First Four bet works the same as an Exacta and Trifecta but for the first four runners in finishing order.
Melbourne Cup Results
The Melbourne Cup results will be available at just after 3pm (AEDT) on the first Tuesday of November every year. The first three horses across the line draw the largest amount of interest from most punters, but due to the popularity of sweeps there is always interest in the final finishing position of all 24 runners.
Notable Past Melbourne Cup Results
1862:Archer became a back-to-back Melbourne Cup winner defending his title from the inaugural Melbourne Cup of 1861
1930:Phar Lap won the Melbourne Cup – the shortest priced favourite to salute at 8/11 ($1.70)
1941:Skipton saluted in the Melbourne Cup as a three-year-old
1990:Kingston Town set the current Melbourne Cup record time of 3:16.3
1993:Vintage Crop prepared in Ireland by Dermot Weld became the first Northern hemisphere-trained Melbourne Cup winner
2005: Makybe Diva became the first three-time Melbourne Cup winner
2011: Dunaden won in the closest Melbourne Cup result in history defeating fellow international Red Cadeaux
2017:Rekindling became the first international Melbourne Cup winner to salute first-up without a lead-up run in Australia since Vintage Crop (1993)
2019: Vow And Declare (Danny O’Brien) became the first Australian-bred Melbourne Cup winner since Shocking in 2009
2020: Twilight Payment (Joseph O’Brien) handed owner Lloyd Williams with his seventh success
2021: Verry Elleegant (Chris Waller) won the Melbourne Cup as a mare with 57kg from barrier 18 – the first in history from that gate – with a four length success
2022: Gold Trip (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace) became the latest top-weight in a Melbourne Cup field to salute carrying 57.5kg to victory
2023: Without A Fight (Anthony & Sam Freedman) became the 12th horse in history and first since 2001 to complete the Caulfield Cup – Melbourne Cup double
2024: Knight’s Choice (John Symons & Shelia Laxon) became the latest Australian-trained Melbourne Cup winner with the Queenslander scoring a huge upset at 90/1
2025: Half Yours (Tony & Calvin McEvoy) became the 13th horse to pull of the Spring Cup doubles, winning under Jamie Melham at 9-1 after securing the Caulfield Cup two weeks prior.
Past Melbourne Cup Winners
Recent Melbourne Cup winners and placegetters dating back to the year 2000 are detailed in the below table.
Year
Winner
Jockey
Trainer/s
Time
2025
Half Yours
Jamie Melham
Tony & Calvin McEvoy
3:22.46
2024
Knight’s Choice
Robbie Dolan
John Symons & Shelia Laxon
3:19.53
2023
Without A Fight
Mark Zahra
Anthony & Sam Freedman
3:18.37
2022
Gold Trip
Mark Zahra
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
3:24.04
2021
Verry Elleegant
James McDonald
Chris Waller
3:17.43
2020
Twilight Payment
Jye McNeil
Joseph O’Brien
3:17.34
2019
Vow And Declare
Craig Williams
Danny O’Brien
3:24.76
2018
Cross Counter
Kerrin McEvoy
Charlie Appleby
3:21.17
2017
Rekindling
Corey Brown
Joseph O’Brien
3:21.19
2016
Almandin
Kerrin McEvoy
Robert Hickmott
3:20.58
2015
Prince of Penzance
Michelle Payne
Darren Weir
3.23.15
2014
Protectionist
Ryan Moore
Andreas Wohler
3.17.71
2013
Fiorente
Damien Oliver
Gai Waterhouse
3.20.84
2012
Green Moon
Brett Prebble
Robert Hickmott
3.20.45
2011
Dunaden
Christophe Lemaire
Mikel Delzangles
3.20.84
2010
Americain
Gérald Mossé
Alain de Royer Dupre
3.26.87
2009
Shocking
Corey Brown
Mark Kavanagh
3.23.87
2008
Viewed
Blake Shinn
Bart Cummings
3.20.40
2007
Efficient
Michael Rodd
Graeme Rogerson
3.23.34
2006
Delta Blues
Yasunari Iwata
Katsuhiko Sumii
3.21.47
2005
Makybe Diva
Glen Boss
Lee Freedman
3.19.17
2004
Makybe Diva
Glen Boss
Lee Freedman
3.28.55
2003
Makybe Diva
Glen Boss
David Hall
3.19.90
2002
Media Puzzle
Damien Oliver
Dermot K. Weld
3.16.97
2001
Ethereal
Scott Seamer
Sheila Laxon
3.21.08
2000
Brew
Kerrin McEvoy
Mike Moroney
3.18.68
FAQ
Who won the 2024 Melbourne Cup?
The 2024 Melbourne Cup was won by the John Symons & Shelia Laxon-trained Queensland Knight’s Choice at $91 who was ridden by first-time Melbourne Cup hoop Robbie Dolan.
When is the Melbourne Cup 2025?
Tuesday November 4, 2025
What is the prize money for the Melbourne Cup 2025?
Makybe Diva has recorded a record 3 consecutive Melbourne Cup wins.
The Melbourne Cup was first contested in 1861 and was won by the Etienne de Mestre-trained Archer, who successfully defended his crown the following year.
Alongside Archer, only four other horses have won the Melbourne Cup more than once; Peter Pan (1932,34), Rain Lover (1968,69), Think Big (1974,75) and Makybe Diva (2003,04,05).
The Melbourne Cup was originally contested over a distance of two miles (3219m) but was shortened to 3200m in 1972 when Australia adopted the metric system.
Kingston Rule holds the record for the fastest time in Melbourne Cup; taking out the race’s 1990 edition in 3:16.30.
The 2015 edition of the Melbourne Cup was won by the Darren Weir-trained Prince Of Penzance; a rank outsider having left at odds of $101 for success. The race also figured as the first time a female jockey was triumphant, in the form of Michelle Payne.
Melbourne Cup Trainer Profiles
Several trainers from around the world have enjoyed success in the Melbourne Cup throughout its rich history and their names have been etched into Australian race history and folklore as a result.
Bart Cummings is the most successful Melbourne Cup trainer.
Bart Cummings
Undoubtedly the name most synonymous with the Melbourne Cup is that of the late, great Bart Cummings, who secured a record and incredible 12 wins in the race over a long and illustrious career. Cummings saddled his first Cup winner through Light Fingers in 1964 and it fast became clear the trainer was on his way to stardom when defending his crown with Galilee and Red Handed in 1965 and 1966 respectively. Cummings’ record will likely never been eclipsed and he will always be the toast of the Race That Stops a Nation.
Lee Freedman
Prominent Australian trainer Lee Freedman has won the second-most amount of Melbourne Cups having so-far saddled five winners. The trainer’s first triumph came when Tawriffic won in 1989, but his biggest impact on the race undoubtedly came in preparing equine superstar Makybe Diva to two of her three-consecutive successes in 2004 and 2005. Freedman currently trains in partnership with brother Anthony and the pair prepared Our Ivanhowe in the 2015 edition of the race, who was unlucky to be hampered for a run in the final straight.
Dermot Weld
A number of international trainers have made their mark in Australia on the first Tuesday of November, but perhaps none more than two-time winner Dermot Weld. Weld claimed his first Melbourne Cup success via popular stayer Vintage Crop in 1993 but is most famous for preparing Media Puzzle in 2002; partnered by champion hoop Damien Oliver in the wake of his brother Jason’s sudden passing from a fall in track work.
Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival
Undoubtedly considered Australia’s major series, the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival as the name suggests runs through the season of spring each year, officially beginning in early August and concluding in the late stages of November.
The Melbourne Spring Carnival boasts black type racing each weekend and often through the week and is headlined by the Group 1 races that take place over four days during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
There are also what are known as the ‘Big 3’ Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival races or majors.
The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) is the first of these contested over a mile-and-a-half (2400m) in mid-October. Won by some of the country’s best staying horses, the Caulfield Cup often figures as the final turning point for horses both local and international ahead of the Melbourne Cup.
The Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) is the country’s premier weight-for-age race and boasts an impressive $5 million purse. Contested just over a week prior to the Melbourne Cup, the Cox Plate has been won by everything from locals to internationals and even three-year-olds since the turn of the century. Winx is the most famous Cox Plate champion winning a record four straight editions of the WFA feature from 2015-18.
The ‘Big 3’ spring majors finish with the Melbourne Cup over the two miles run as Flemington Race 7 on the first Tuesday of November annually.
How do I bet on the 2025 Melbourne Cup?
Bet online or via the latest iOS/Android apps with Ladbrokes.
The first step is to create an account at ladbrokes.com.au. The process is quick and easy!
Once you've created your account you can make a deposit via credit card, or any other of our secure payment methods. Next up, head to the racing page and find the race and runner that's right for you.
What are the best Melbourne Cup Tips?
General Melbourne Cup betting tips include looking for international performers, proven two mile horses and gallopers coming off a top four run last start.
From 2009 – 2023 all but two of the Melbourne Cup winners finished first four in their lead-up run including four coming off a victory. In 2022 Gold Trip improved on a lead-up ninth in the Cox Plate to win the 162nd Melbourne Cup.
In 2023 Without A Fight won the Melbourne Cup off a lead-up victory in the Caulfield Cup the month before.
Melbourne Cup tips can be found everywhere in the lead-up to the race, but the big field, handicap conditions and distance of the race make it very difficult to back the winner. The presence of a number of international horses and a variety of different form lines make it even more difficult to back the winner of the Melbourne Cup, which his why upsets Melbourne Cup results are not uncommon.
Other tips for Melbourne Cup punters is to look at several key lead up races that are considered good guides for Melbourne Cup performance.
Pay attention to strong runs in races like the Cox Plate and the Caulfield Cup.
Fiorente (2013) followed by Verry Elleegant (2021) and Gold Trip (2022) are the latest Melbourne Cup winners to back-up off a Cox Plate having run 3rd, 3rd and 9th.
Gold Trip ran 2nd in the 2022 Caulfield Cup before his Melbourne Cup victory with the Cox Plate run in between, while in 2023 Without A Fight did the Melbourne Cup – Caulfield Cup double for the first time since 2001.
Another tip for people who are looking to have some fun with different bets on the day need not fear the exotics. Picking the Melbourne Cup trifecta pays extremely well along with other exotic bets including the quinella and first four. For instance this year there is plenty of value in horses that have genuine chances at double figure odds.
Which horse will win the 2025 Melbourne Cup?
The best way to pick which horse will win the Melbourne Cup is to take into account the form, assess the barriers, and consider the weight the horse will carry (among other factors). Check out ladbrokes.com.au in the lead up to the race for full form information.
Where is the Melbourne Cup 2025 held?
The 2025 Melbourne Cup is held at Flemington Racecourse, 448 Epsom Rd, Flemington, in Victoria.
