The race that stops the nation is here again with the 2025 Melbourne Cup set to be run and won at Flemington on Tuesday.
The 165th running of the great race looms as one of the most open in years, with Irish import Al Riffa and Caulfield Cup winner Half Yours — the only Australian horse in the race — battling for favouritism ahead of a host of genuine contenders.
Steady rain in Melbourne in recent days means Cup hopefuls will need to be able to handle wet conditions, although the track is likely to be rated at soft, instead of heavy as many expected.
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As has been the case in recent years, the race will start at 3pm AEDT — although it’s often a few minutes later by the time the 24-horse field is ready to go.
This year’s prize pool carries a total value of $10 million in cash and trophies, up from $8 million last year.
Follow all the action below from Cup Day, including a live blog of the big race.
TREVOR MARSHALLSEA’S FORM GUIDE: Every runner rated
JIMMY CASSIDY’S CUP FORM GUIDE: Legendary jockey’s verdict on every runner
PREDICTIONS: Who all the top experts are tipping
CHEAT SHEET: Why every horse can and can’t win
2025 Melbourne Cup barrier draw | 00:32
NEW FAVOURITE AS BIG MONEY COMES FOR RAIDER
The race has a new favourite on Cup day with big money coming for Irish import Al Riffa.
Caufield Cup winner Half Yours had held favouritsm since the field was confirmed but Al Riffa — one of Europe’s elite stayers who is trained by Joseph O’Brien — took over as slight favourite early on Cup day.
The horse attracted some huge bets at the annual Call of the Card — including a whopping$500,000 wager that could land a $4 million collect.
As of 9am AEST Al Riffa was in to $6.50 with the TAB ahead of of Half Yours ($7.50), Presage Nocturne ($8.50) and Valiant King ($9.50). Check out the full field here.
DON’T FORGET ABOUT SYDNEY
While the focus is understandably on Flemington, there’s a big-money race north of the border in Sydney that warrants some attention.
Randwick Racecourse will host the ‘Big Dance’, a stakes race with a prize purse of $3 million.
The state of prizemoney in Australian racing has never been in a better position than it is now and that’s due to the invention of several pop up races over the last few years.
Respected sports administrator Peter V’landys and Racing NSW are responsible for the majority of these, with the reason for them to give Sydney racing something to rival the Melbourne spring.
They’ve successfully done this with the Everest, which is the second biggest race in this country behind the Melbourne Cup.
While the Big Dance – which was run and won for the first time in 2022 – hasn’t captured the imagination like the Everest has, an increase in crowd numbers on Cup day since its inception has proved that its profile is increasing.
As for a tip, Tavi Time presents good value.
CUP DAY CALL MADE ON WET TRACK
Despite more than 30mm of rain falling in Melbourne in the past 24 hours, the Cup is likely to be run on a Soft 6 track, rather than the wettest rating of heavy.
It means horses will still need to be able handle soft ground but it’s a boost for horses who struggle in extremely wet conditions.
Flemington track manager Liam O’Keeffe predicted on Monday that the track would hold up well despite the steady rain.
“We let the track dry right out following Derby night, so the rainfall has been good… but it is probably going to tip it into a soft 6 by the afternoon.
PREDICTIONS: Who the experts are tipping
BIGGEST BETS: Who the money is coming for
ULTIMATE GUIDE: Everything you need to know
CUP LEAD-UP RUNS: All the performances you need to see to find the winner
WEATHER: Flemington forecast as rain looms
EXPERT FORM GUIDE: Runner-by-runner guide and predictions
FULL FLEMINGTON RACE CARD AND RESULTS (SuperTAB Tote prices)
10.45am Darley Maribyrnong Plate, 1000m, 2YO G3: 1st 2. Tornado Valley $4.70, $1.80 2nd 7. Tales of Time $4.80 3rd 11. Luna Vega $3.30 4th 4. Carnivale
11.20am Ma Services Grand Handicap, 2000m, BM80
12pm Tab Trophy, 3YO LR
12.40pm The Schweppervescence Plate, 1000m, 3YO OPEN
1.20pm Australian Heritage Cup, 2800m BM96
1.55pm Kirin Ichiban Plate, 1800 LR
3pm Lexus Melbourne Cup, 3200m G1
3.50pm Lexus Amanda Elliott, 1400m 3YO Qlty LR
4.35pm The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes, 1400, 4YO+G3 M
5.15pm Channel 9 Trophy, 1400m BM90
FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION FROM MELBOURNE CUP DAY BELOW! CAN’T SEE IT? CLICK HERE!
LATEST ODDS: Who is the favourite?
ORDER OF ENTRY: Who made the cut, and who didn’t
MELBOURNE CUP BARRIER DRAW: How every horse fared
DUMMIES’ GUIDE: How to put on a bet
FULL FIELD: Which horses and jockeys will feature in this year’s Cup?
START TIME: What time does the race begin in my state?
MELBOURNE CUP DAILY: All the latest news ahead of the big race
TRAGEDIES: List of horses who have died in Race That Stops a Nation
U-S-A: Why’s it’s taken 165 for an American-trained horse to run in the Cup
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