The 165th Melbourne Cup is the feature event at Flemington on the first Tuesday in November. With over $10,000,000 in prizemoney on offer, and the chance to be written into the racing history books, this is the race every Australian dreams about winning. Join our experts as they outline the key chances in the race that stops a nation.
The Melbourne Cup
#24 Valiant King $8.00
Impressive winner of the Bart Cummings two starts back before producing an eye catching performance from the tail in the Caufield Cup. He is weighted perfectly to win our greatest handicap, and he is ideally drawn in barrier ten. Jye McNeil has tasted success in this race before on Twilight Payment, and if the predicted rain does arrive, he has one hoof on the till. Chris Waller has turned this enigmatic galloper around during the last twelve months, and the addition of the blinkers has added lengths and resilience to the inform six-year-old. The one to beat.
The Melbourne Cup
#6 Presage Nocturne $8.00
Brilliant performance without a lot of luck in the Caulfield Cup. He strips fitter, and the 3200m suits him at this stage of his campaign. His French form is decent, and he has taken a similar path to Americian and Protectionist. The bigger Flemington circuit will suit, and I can’t ignore the fact he recorded the fastest last 600m in the traditional lead-up. A soft track is a positive, a heavy track maybe his undoing. One of the better chances!
The Melbourne Cup
#21 River Of Stars $17.00
Hard to beat. Group 1 placed in France before relocating to the all mighty Chris Waller camp in Sydney. Placed at good odds in the Sydney Cup, and her spring form has been building towards the first Tuesday in November. Her performance was braver then Mel Gibson in the Caulfield Cup, and the 51.5kg will give her every opportunity to give her master his second people’s cup. She can win with even luck in-transit.
The Melbourne Cup
#9 Absurde $21.00
Import who lines up for his third crack at a Melbourne Cup. Caught the eyes of punters late in last year’s edition where he finished on the heels of the winners. Luckless in the Caulfield Cup, and he loves getting his toe into the ground. The 53.5kg is a luxury, and the inside draw should ensure a soft trip in-transit. Third time could be a charm despite history saying otherwise. In the mix.
The Melbourne Cup
#14 Half Yours $6.00
A great racing story for 2025. He has emerged as one of Australia’s better stayers during an incredible meteoric rise from Benchmark class to the race that stops a nation in the space of months. Form is hard to fault, and the 53kg puts him into all winning conversations. The rain wouldn’t worry him, and Jamie Melham has a winning association with the talented five-year-old. He is a realistic chance of completing the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double, and the market suggests he is going to run a beauty. The 3200m is the biggest deterrent.
The Melbourne Cup
#23 Torranzino $31.00
Impressive last-start winner of the Geelong Cup. Great performance two starts back in the Bart Cummings, and the form around him has stood up time and again. Celine Gaudray has a great relationship with the big boy, and his soft and heavy form speaks volumes. With the right run from the awkward gate, he can make his presence felt late. Over the odds.
