All Melbourne Cup Horses In 2025 Field: Pros & Cons

There are 24 horses in the mix to face off at HQ on Tuesday in the world-famous Group 1 $10 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m), and below we have a look at the arguments for and against each runner as they prepare to line-up in the famous Flemington Race 7.

With a bumper line-up of local and international staying stars to do the Melbourne Cup form on it can seem an overwhelming task to sort through all the lead-up runs, track and distance statistics, stables, breeding, and more to uncover the best horses to back in the 165th edition of the ‘race that stops a nation’.

There are a host of raiders in the mix again from right around the globe including our first ever American trained runner Parchment Party and Brian Ellison’s impressive Moonee Valley Gold Cup champion Onesmoothoperator back for his second shot at the world’s richest handicap.

On the local front, the sole Australian bred horse in the 2025 Melbourne Cup field, Half Yours remains the favourite at $7 through Ladbrokes.com.au to complete the Spring Cups double.

We have a Joesph O’Brien-trained second favourite with Al Riffa who has been enormous overseas including winning the prestigious Group 1 Irish St Leger in an enormous four-length romp home.

Chris Waller plays a strong hand with five runners from the well-backed Buckaroo out to improve on his 9th last year to a 100/1 outsider Land Legend who benefits from the booking of Brazilian super hoop Joao Moreira.

Add in plenty of sneaky light weights looking to steal the show, the classy French horse Presage Nocturne coming off a sensational lead-up run in the Caulfield Cup and Japanese raider Chevalier Rose who is drawn last year’s winning gate – and the event opens right up!

So, let’s get into it so you can get over to Ladbrokes.com.au to lock in your Melbourne Cup tips!

1. Al Riffa (19)

W: 59kg T: Joesph O’Brien J: Mark Zahra

• Pros: Tough European form lines. Has been carrying big weights for big wins including a four-length Group 1 Irish St Leger victory by 4 lengths with 61.5kg at his latest. Should get the two miles without a worry. Hoop of the hour Mark Zahra rides chasing his third win in four years. O’Brien is a two-time Melbourne Cup winning trainer. Handles wet tracks. Elite breeding being by Wootton Bassett.
• Cons: Hasn’t raced since mid-September. Nasty gate 19 draw makes things tougher. 59kg topweight so giving plenty away and needs to cart it on Soft going up in trip.

Verdict: Top 4 chance — include in all exotics and win bets at the price.

2. Buckaroo (12)

W: 57kg T: Chris Waller J: Craig Williams

• Pros: Huge lead-up effort nearly pinching the Cox Plate. Trained by a master in Waller. Craig Williams has won before with Vow And Declare (2019). Class horse in consistent form. Handles all track conditions so no need to be on weather watch.
• Cons: Didn’t get the trip when 9th last year carrying less weight. Doesn’t get in well weight-wise with 57kg.

Verdict: Top 6 contender — solid Each Way play, but more likely to place than win.

3. Arapaho (15)

W: 56.5kg T: Bjorn Baker J: Rachel King

• Pros: Will run the 3200m having set a record when taking out the Sydney Cup over the distance in the autumn. Will enjoy a Soft rated track.
• Cons: Barrier 15 is a little tricky. Neither his trainer nor jockey have won the Cup before. Failed to feature in 2022 when 11th and hasn’t lined-up in the race since. Nine-year-olds don’t win this event. Out of form this time in finishing well back in his two latest including an 8th in the Bendigo Cup. Unplaced in his two previous Flemington starts.

Verdict: Outside top 10 — best suited to wide exotics if the pace collapses.

4. Vauban (2)

W: 56.5kg T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Blake Shinn

• Pros: Good gate 2 draw. Waterhouse won with Fiorente (2013). Shinn is a past Melbourne Cup winning jockey on Viewed (2008). Proven over 3200m (7:2-2-1).
• Cons: Hasn’t run in the money at Flemington before. Unplaced in this race the past two years when 14th in 2023 and 11th last year and carries more weight now. Disappointing lead-up when 13th in the Caulfield Cup. Hasn’t won since mid-March at Group 3 level over 2000m in Sydney. Eight-year-olds don’t have the best record.

Verdict: Top 10 chance — best suited to wider exotics, but unlikely to threaten the podium.

5. Chevalier Rose (5)

W: 55.5kg T: Hisashi Shimizu J: Damian Lane

• Pros: Great barrier 5 draw which is historically one of the most successful and produced last year’s winner. Dour staying type since getting out in trip over the past year including Group 2 Stayers Stakes win over 3600m last November with 58kg. Better weighted here. Hoodoo bet alert – Horse 5 in Gate 5! Trainer won the 2019 Caulfield Cup with Mer De Glace. Lane is a big race specialist.
• Cons: Only one Japanese galloper has won with Delta Blues (2006). Hasn’t won a race in 2025. Recent form lacking including a disappointing last start 14th in the Group 2 Sapporo Kinen. Hasn’t raced since August. Soft – Heavy track form unknown. Eight-year-olds rarely win.

Verdict: Top 12 chance — potential to include in wider exotics if Lane pulls out something special, but winning looks unlikely.

6. Presage Nocturne (9)

W: 55.5kg T: Alessandro Botti J: Stephane Pasquier

• Pros: Classy son of boom sire Wootton Basset bringing in some good European credentials. French trained and has similarities to Americain who won in 2010. Barrier 9 suits him tactically. Stephane Pasquier is a leading jockey from France who knows the horse well. Australian debut when a fast-finishing fourth in the Caulfield Cup was excellent. Winning form overseas up to 3000m so should see out the distance. Last international run was an eye-catching third in the prestigious Group 2 Prix Kergorlay which has been a key Melbourne Cup form reference in the past. Carried 59kg there and 57.5kg in the Caulfield Cup so the drop back to 55.5kg looks favourable. Fitter for his return. Maps well. Rise in trip is key. Ultra-consistent having missed out on the money just four times in 17 starts. Handles wet tracks well.
• Cons: Barrier 9 hasn’t produced a winner since Efficient (2007). Yet to race at Flemington.

Verdict: Top 3 chance — strong Each Way play and a live winning hope.

7. Middle Earth (13)

W: 54.5kg T: Ciaron Maher J: Ethan Brown

• Pros: Comes from a top trainer in Maher and jockey Ethan Brown is riding in terrific form. Has previous winning form at Flemington. Drops notably in weight in on 54.5kg after lumping 60kg to a brave Group 3 JRA Cup third at The Valley in easier grade last start. Barrier 13 isn’t too bad, and Gold Trip (2022) won from the gate in recent years. Maher believes he’ll run out a strong 3200m.
• Cons: His Group 1 performances this prep have been very flat including an 11th in the Caulfield Cup which doesn’t give confidence. Hasn’t won since the Australian Cup Prelude back in March. Queries remain around the distance. Untested on wet going.

Verdict: Top 10 chance — potentially include in wider exotics, but needs to lift to feature late.

8. Meydaan (22)

W: 54kg T: Simon & Ed Crisford J: James McDonald

• Pros: The Crisfords know what it takes to bring a strong European stayer to Australian for the Cup features. James McDonald is one of the best in the business and has been bullish about this horse’s chances. J-Mac won in 2021 on Verry Elleegant. Recent track work has been outstanding. Roomier Flemington track will suit better than the turns at Caulfield. Had excuses caught wide in his first run down under. Would have natural improvement off that. Late stages effort in the Caulfield Cup suggested the 3200m would suit. Lovely pedigree being a son of Frankel.
• Cons: Nasty barrier 22 draw. Will he run the distance? Has only won up to 2212m until now. Hasn’t won since May last year. Has lost favour with the punters after a 9th in the Caulfield Cup nearly 5 lengths beaten.

Verdict: Top 6 chance — a live Each Way play if he gets luck from the draw.

9. Absurde (4)

W: 53.5kg T: Willie Mullins J: Kerrin McEvoy

• Pros: Triple Melbourne Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy rides. Irish great Mullins has had successful top three placings in the Cup down under. Drew well in gate four which fellow Irish raider Rekindling (2017) won from. Racing well at home in the lead-up including a Group 3 Irish St Leger third with a big weight (61kg). Will be flying with 53.5kg on Tuesday. One we know gets the distance with winning form up to 4023m. Narrowly beaten when under two lengths off the winner to run 5th in the 2024 edition. Run for 7th in the Caulfield Cup wasn’t without merit as he copped plenty of interference and should have finished closer. Strong wet track form.
• Cons: Unplaced in two previous Melbourne Cup attempts when 7th in 2023 and 5th last year. Getting on in the years as an 8YO now.

Verdict: Top 5 contender — solid Each Way play with genuine potential for an upset.

10. Flatten The Curve (17)

W: 53.5kg T: Henk Grewe J: Thore Hammer-Hansen

• Pros: Will stay all day and has a terrific 3200m record (5:2-1-0). Brings in ultra-consistent form from overseas having won six of his past seven starts. Comes off back-to-back victories over the distance including his latest over 3319m by five lengths carrying 57kg. Favourable weight plummet now down to 53.5kg. Hammer-Hansen sticks in the saddle. From a Teofilo mare so is bred for success in this race with that sire having produced three Melbourne Cup winners in the past seven years. Has been a revelation since changing stables to Henk Grewe. Travels well. Handles all conditions.
• Cons: Slightly awkward gate 17 draw. Was notably beaten by a fellow Melbourne Cup 2025 contender in Parchment Party in America’s Group 3 Belmont Gold Cup finishing nearly 24 lengths off the winner (but that was on a dirt track so happy to scratch that from the form). Hasn’t raced since August. Protectionist (2014) last German trained Melbourne Cup winner.

Verdict: Top 4 contender — strong Each Way play with winning upside.

11. Land Legend (16)

W: 53.5kg T: Chris Waller J: Joao Moreira

• Pros: Waller trained. Moreira is a master in the saddle. Well-weighted with 53.5kg. Is a Group 1 winner. Only three lengths beaten in the 2024 edition.
• Cons: Awkward draw. Distance concerns. Has run dead last in his latest two – Turnbull Stakes (14th) & Caulfield Cup (18th). Yet to place at Flemington. 8th int he race last year from a similar barrier. Hasn’t won in over a year. Going career worst. Looks to be making up numbers.

Verdict: Outside top 12 — best left out of serious betting plays.

12. Smokin’ Romans (11)

W: 53.5kg T: Ciaron Maher J: Ben Melham

• Pros: Barrier 11 historically is one of the most successful. Maher polish. Well-weighted (but will carry a half-kilo over allocation). Previous winning form at Flemington. Rain would suit.
• Cons: 9YOs don’t win the Cup. Yet to win over further than 2600m. Didn’t run the right lead-up when 8th in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup and this is much harder. Ran 7th in 2022 to Gold Trip when younger and lighter weighted. Hasn’t contested the race the past two years. Faded at The Valley last time out. Can’t see him running anywhere near the top 10 over the line.

Verdict: Outside top 12 — best suited to sentimental bets or novelty exotics.

13. Changingoftheguard (24)

W: 53kg T: Kris Lees J: Tim Clark

• Pros: Drops notably in weight from 60kg last start to 53kg. Runner-up here with 60kg at his only other Flemington start. Runs for goliath owner Lloyd Williams who owns plenty of Melbourne Cup trophies.
• Cons: Distance queries with 2472m his longest win to date. Barrier 24 of 24 adds to his woes. Patchy form this prep including running dead last in Sydney’s Group 1 The Metrop (although did well after getting clipped not to fall so that’s a forgive run). Last start 6th in the Geelong Cup makes him hard to have. Was better in Europe with Adian O’Brien before his move to the Lees’ stable where he’s failed to fire from. Far better chances out of the same lead-ups.

Verdict: Unlikely to feature — outside top 15, best left out of serious betting strategies.

14. Half Yours (8)

W: 53kg T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy J: Jamie Melham

• Pros: Caulfield Cup winner at his latest beating a few of the key rivals and now chases the double Without A Fight (2023) did only a couple of years back (the 12th to do so). Jamie Melham sticks aboard and made history at their latest start. She’s confident. Barrier 8 is ideal. Progressing well and still has plenty of upside. Think he’ll run out the 3200m based on his big Caloundra Cup win by nearly five lengths over 2400m in the winter. Enjoying a purple patch of form and continues to handle the challenge. Looked to have more to give in his lead-up Group 1 success. Comes in confident. Handles rain affected tracks.
• Cons: Goes up in weight after copping a 2kg penalty so gives weight away to some that were closing fast in the Caulfield Cup. Needs to stretch his brilliance to 3200m which is always a query. Faces acid test now. Favourites in Melbourne Cup betting have a poor record overall in the event.

Verdict: Top 3 contender — genuine shot at the double.

15. More Felons (23)

W: 53kg T: Chris Waller J: Tommy Berry

• Pros: Prepared by Chris Waller. Can run two miles with winning form up to 3381m. Back-to-back 4ths in the lead-up narrowly beaten in both. Comes back from 55.5kg at his latest in Sydney’s St Leger over 2600m to 53kg now. Berry knows the horse well. Benefits from a full 12 months in Australia now.
• Cons: Nasty barrier 23 draw. Doesn’t come via the strongest form races for a Cup triumph. Was arguably going better last year when 12th in the event second-up in Australia from the same barrier.

Verdict: Top 10 chance — best suited to wider exotics and place betting.

16. Onesmoothoperator (6)

W: 53kg T: Brian Ellison J: Harry Coffey

• Pros: Ideally drawn in barrier 6. Well-weighted with 53kg. Comes in off a last start win in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup. Has won up to 3319m overseas. Made up lots of ground to return to form at The Valley last time out and has a sense of timing about him now.
• Cons: Eight-year-old now and their record in the race isn’t flash. Geelong Cup winner last year but could only manage 11th in the 2024 Melbourne Cup with less weight. Thrashed in the Ebor at his latest run overseas (but carried a heavy 61kg). Wet track query. Plenty coming via strong form races than the one he won.

Verdict: Top 10 chance — include in wider exotics, but unlikely to challenge for the win.

17. Furthur (7)

W: 52kg T: Andrew Balding J: Michael Dee

• Pros: Four-year-old entire (when in the Southern Hemisphere) with upside. Right age historically profiling similar to past champions Rekindling (2017) and Cross Counter (2018). Comes from a good UK trainer in Balding and Michael Dee rides. Putting together a consistent record. Should see out the 3200m having won up to 2715m when putting 3.5 lengths on the next best in a Group 3 overseas. Huge weight drop from 58.5kg at his latest to just 52kg on Tuesday. Excellent barrier 7 draw.
• Cons: Last start saw him beat home just one rival in the Group 1 Irish St Leger. Hasn’t raced since September. Needs to show noted improvement.

Verdict: Top 6 chance — a value Each Way play with upside if he rebounds.

18. Parchment Party (3)

W: 52kg T: William Mott J: John Velazquez

• Pros: Willie Mott is a master and Velaquez is a Hall of Fame jockey. One of the big winners in the Melbourne Cup barrier draw coming up trumps with gate three. Extremely well weighted getting in on just 52kg. Won the Belmont Gold Cup to earn a ballot free ride and beat a couple of these rivals by a big margin there (albeit on the dirt). Put 8.5 lengths on the next best in that over 2816m suggesting the 3200m trip isn’t out of reach. Right age as a 5YO entire. Won again at Black-Type level at his latest so chasing a hat-trick. Gets through the wet.
• Cons: Historical unknown being the first American trained runner in the race’s history. Hasn’t had a start since early August so fitness query there. Super on dirt tracks but will he handle himself at this level on turf in Australia? Has ability with the right conditions in the US but this is a whole different ball game. Horse and hoop both face a challenge now.

Verdict: Top 5 contender — bold Each Way play with historic potential.

19. Athabascan (1)

W: 51.5kg T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton J: Declan Bates

• Pros: Rails-drawn and the O’Shea & Charlton duo are in good form. Runner-up in last year’s Sydney Cup so 3200m is a non-issue. Fifth in the same race this year without disgrace. Improved off some disappointing early spring runs to finish runner-up in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup. Good weight with just 51.5kg. Conditions shouldn’t worry.
• Cons: Notable winning drought – winless since October last year. A trio of flops this prep including a 14th in The Metrop. Plenty with better form lines to follow into the big race. Huge class rise based on what he’s contested overall. Horror run at his last HQ assignment when ninth in the winter’s Andrew Ramsden. Hit and miss of late. Not sure up for the challenge.

Verdict: Top 12 at best — a roughie for wider exotics, but not a winning hope.

20. Goodie Two Shoes (20)

W: 51.5kg T: Joesph O’Brien J: Wayne Lordan

• Pros: O’Brien is a two-time Melbourne Cup winning trainer and hasn’t brought his mare down under for nothing. Lordan is a top hoop booked for the ride. She’ll be airborne with 51.5kg. Hoodoo punters will love that her saddlecloth and barrier match! A genuine stayer with winning form up to 3419m. Has been carrying huge weights for some excellent runs at home. Soft track form.
• Cons: Barrier 20 presents a genuine challenge. Hasn’t raced since early August. Well beaten by five lengths at her latest (but lumped 61kg). Is she here to win or to set things up for the better fancied stablemate Al Riffa? Mares don’t often win this event and takes a mighty one to beat the boys. She’ll have to work and cross to be on speed and would take a monster effort to sustain the run.

Verdict: Top 8 chance if she holds on — a roughie with staying power, best suited to wider exotics.

21. River Of Stars (14)

W: 51.5kg T: Chris Waller J: Beau Mertens

• Pros: Waller factor. One of the best weighted in the race. Supreme effort outrunning her odds when runner-up in the Caulfield Cup and comes back in the kilos. Confident she’ll run the two miles with winning form up to 2896m. Sydney Cup third in the autumn. Mertens has been on her for a while. Strong European for last year. Decent form on wet tracks.
• Cons: Hasn’t won since arriving in Australia. Well beaten in the Turnbull (but 2000m short of her best). Queries about her Group 1 credentials as she’s yet to win at elite level.

Verdict: Top 5 contender — strong each-way play with upside and light weight.

22. Royal Supremacy (21)

W: 51kg T: Ciaron Maher J: Robbie Dolan

• Pros: Maher prepared. Flies with just 51kg. Building a good overall record (14-5:3:2). Five-year-old with upside. Proven Group 1 winner two back in Sydney’s The Metrop over 2400m. Caulfield Cup fifth was full of merit only 2.5 lengths beaten hitting the line with gusto. Made up ground there with more weight on his back. Hitting form at the right time. Comes off a consistent prep. Wet track form solid.
• Cons: Barrier 21 is tough. Needs to stretch out to 3200m for the first time. Carried only 50kg in The Metrop. Reared in the gates at the Caulfield Cup so needs to learn to settle to see out the 3200m now. Has been up for some time so could have already peaked.

Verdict: Top 6 contender — strong roughie with upside if he stays and overcomes the alley.

23. Torranzino (18)

W: 51kg T: Paul Preusker J: Celine Gaudray

• Pros: Comes in confident off a Geelong Cup win. Comes back from 56kg to just 51kg so will relish that weight relief. Decent Flemington form and ran in the money behind Valiant King in The Bart Cummings at his latest HQ assignment as an underrated 70/1 outsider before franking that form. Quality form lines. Bred to stay.
• Cons: Yet to win over further than 2400m. Gaudray isn’t exactly a big race specialist with this being her first Melbourne Cup ride. Barrier 18 has been nasty for most horses in the past. Up notably in grade now. Needs to lift.

Verdict: Top 8 contender — a smoky for exotics with staying upside if Gaudray handles the pressue.

24. Valiant King (10)

W: 51kg T: Chris Waller J: Jye McNeil

• Pros: One of the best for Team Waller. Jye McNeil won in 2020 aboard Twilight Payment so knows what it takes. Favourable alley drawn 10 and 51kg will put him right in this. Last year’s unplaced run was from much wider out, so better barrier boosts his chances of second time lucky. Won the Bart Cummings here by nearly 3 lengths and that form has held. Went on to produce one of the best Melbourne Cup trials when third in the Caulfield Cup from barrier 16 of 18 with a kilo more. Chances are he could have taken that from a better alley. Made up all the late ground last time to suggest he’ll run out the 3200m now.
• Cons: 13th in the race last year so needs to atone. Needs to prove he is a two-mile horse.

Verdict: Top 4 chance — strong each-way bet with winning credentials.

Melbourne Cup 2025 Results

Flemington R7

Final Race time: 

1st 14. Half Yours (8) J: Jamie Melham 53kg T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy	9.00WIN	3.50PLACE
2nd 20. Goodie Two Shoes (20) J: W M Lordan 51.5kg T: Joseph O'Brien	31.00WIN	8.50PLACE
3rd 7. Middle Earth (13) J: Ethan Brown 54.5kg T: Ciaron Maher	26.00WIN	8.00PLACE
4th 21. River Of Stars (14) J: Beau Mertens 51.5kg T: Chris Waller	19.00WIN	6.00PLACE
5th 23. Torranzino (18) J: Celine Gaudray 51kg T: Paul Preusker	34.00WIN	9.00PLACE
6th 4. Vauban (2) J: Blake Shinn 56.5kg T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	21.00WIN	6.50PLACE
7th 1. Al Riffa (19) J: Mark Zahra 59kg T: Joseph O'Brien	7.50WIN	3.10PLACE
8th 9. Absurde (4) J: Kerrin McEvoy 53.5kg T: Willie Mullins	19.00WIN	6.00PLACE
9th 13. Changingoftheguard (24) J: Tim Clark 53kg T: Kris Lees	61.00WIN	14.00PLACE
10th 8. Meydaan (22) J: James McDonald 54kg T: Simon & Ed Crisford	26.00WIN	7.50PLACE
11th 17. Furthur (7) J: Michael Dee 52kg T: Andrew Balding	41.00WIN	11.00PLACE
12th 3. Arapaho (15) J: Rachel King 56.5kg T: Bjorn Baker	31.00WIN	8.50PLACE
13th 10. Flatten The Curve (17) J: Thore Hammer-Hansen 53.5kg T: Henk Grewe	21.00WIN	6.50PLACE
14th 12. Smokin' Romans (11) J: Ben Melham 53.5kg T: Ciaron Maher	67.00WIN	15.00PLACE
15th 22. Royal Supremacy (21) J: Robbie Dolan 51kg T: Ciaron Maher	34.00WIN	8.50PLACE
16th 24. Valiant King (10) J: Jye McNeil 51kg T: Chris Waller	9.50WIN	3.70PLACE
18th 15. More Felons (23) J: Tommy Berry 53kg T: Chris Waller	41.00WIN	11.00PLACE
19th 6. Presage Nocturne (9) J: Stephane Pasquier 55.5kg T: Alessandro Botti	5.50WIN	2.80PLACE
20th 18. Parchment Party (3) J: John R Velazquez 52kg T: William I Mott	71.00WIN	14.00PLACE
21st 19. Athabascan (1) J: Declan Bates 51.5kg T: John O'Shea & Tom Charlton	61.00WIN	15.00PLACE
22nd 11. Land Legend (16) J: Joao Moreira 53.5kg T: Chris Waller	61.00WIN	14.00PLACE
23rd 5. Chevalier Rose (5) J: Damian Lane 55.5kg T: Hisashi Shimizu	51.00WIN	13.00PLACE
24th 2. Buckaroo (12) J: Craig Williams 57kg T: 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: 25/02/2026 03:51:17 AM (Australia/Brisbane)

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