It’s here again, not just Australia’s greatest race but our greatest and most enduring cultural institution — the Melbourne Cup!
As always, at 3.00pm on the first Tuesday of November the nation will stop to watch the huge field contest the 3200m (or two miles in the old) staying test, which has not only grown in its international era into the world’s best handicap, but one of the major races on the planet.
The story of the Cup is well known – first run in 1861 when won by the mighty Archer, and a grand stage for some of all-time greats such as Phar Lap (1930), Carbine (1890), Rising Fast (1954) and Makybe Diva, the only horse to win three, from 2003-05.
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Its history is wrapped up with the folklore of the country, its handicap conditions symbolic of the nation’s egalitarian spirit and making for an intriguing punting puzzle – one made only more juicy by the arrival of international horses since 1993.
We have 10 foreign raiders this year, from Britain, Ireland, Japan, Germany, and – for the first time – the USA.
And they’re here to upset a genuine local Aussie-bred favourite, the Caulfield Cup winner Half Yours.
2025 Melbourne Cup barrier draw | 00:32
This 165th running of the great race looks set to become an even more curly puzzle thanks to that ever-worrying factor – the Melbourne weather. Rain is forecast for Flemington on Monday and Tuesday, so check your wet track records in the formguides.
Also it’s worth bearing in mind that they run on some very rain-affected going in Europe, so a soft track there is more like what we’d call heavy.
And don’t be put off by British and other European horses’ seemingly low prizemoney. They race for a lot less there than here.
Let’s dive right in.
Flemington, Tuesday, November 4
Race 7, 3.00pm
1. AL RIFFA
Weight/starting barrier: 59kg (19)
Approx odds: $8/$2.75
6yo stallion
Overall record: 15-5:5:1
Good: 7:3-3-1 Soft: 7:2-2-0 Heavy: 0:0-0-0
Earnings: $2,133,420
T: Joseph O’Brien; J: Mark Zahra
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2816m, Irish St Leger (Gr 1) Curragh, Ireland, 14-09-25; 1st, 2816m, Curragh Cup (Gr 2) Curragh, Ireland, 19-07-25.
Tough international stayer who comes in top form with those two wins above at his past two starts. In the hands of an excellent trainer in Joseph O’Brien, who’s beaten his famous dad Aidan to the punch by winning the Cup – not once but twice with Rekindling (2017) and Twilight Payment (2020). Also has top jockey in Mark Zahra, who won this race in 2022 and 2023. Hasn’t been past 2816m yet but he’s by a super sire in Wootton Bassett whose progeny can do just about anything. Comes here with some very powerful Cup credentials, and the handicapper has made him the clear topweight for a reason. Still, he’s carried more weight back home. Won Irish St Leger by 5 len under 61.5kg, and Curragh Cup by 4 len with 62kg. As good on soft as on good going. The doubt, as always, is how these Europeans would handle a hard Flemington track, but rain is predicted. In a Catch 22, that makes it harder to lug a big weight over two miles. Difficult barrier too but he has to be considered a winning chance.
2. BUCKAROO
57kg (12)
$8 / $2.75
7yo gelding
30-5:6:5
Good: 19:3-4-3 Soft: 9:1-2-2 Heavy: 2:1-0-0
$3,446,148
T: Chris Waller; J: Craig Williams
Best long-distance form: 2nd, 2400m, Caulfield Cup 2024 (Gr 1), Caulfield, 19-10-24; 9th, 3200m, Melbourne Cup 2024 (Gr 1), Flemington, 05-11-24.
Classy European import trained by the master Chris Waller and with a great jockey in Craig Williams, who won this race in 2019. Has shown some good form this spring, with two seconds and two thirds from four starts. Almost snatched the Cox Plate last start over 2040m, beaten a nose by the great mare Via Sistina. Has deserved his high weight here as there’s no doubt about his class, and he’s performed well on good, soft and heavy. But the query is distance. Has been tried only once beyond 2400m, and that was when he managed a ninth in last year’s Melbourne Cup. He made ground from the back that day after drawing wide, and was beaten a fair 3.5 len, but didn’t make an impression on the leaders in the straight really, and that’s not form that screams out “Melbourne Cup winner”. Decent middle gate. Goes OK in the wet. Each way hope.
MORE MELBOURNE CUP
ULTIMATE GUIDE: Everything you need to know
WEATHER: Flemington forecast as rain looms
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
Via Sistina wins Cox Plate | 00:33
3. ARAPAHO
56.5kg (15)
$51 / $13.50
9yo gelding
49-10:6:4
Good: 21:2-2-1 Soft: 19:6-2-1 Heavy: 9:2-2-2
$4,141.650
T: Bjorn Baker; J: Rachel King
Best long-distance form: 1st, 3200m, Sydney Cup (Gr 1), Randwick, 12-04-25; 11th, 3200m, Melbourne Cup 2022 (Gr 1), Flemington, 01-11-2022.
Old warhorse in a very good stable, and won the Sydney Cup over this trip as an 8yo last autumn. However, he’s a 9yo now and they don’t win the Melbourne Cup. Form has been ordinary this spring as well, with a last-start eighth of 14 in the Bendigo Cup (2400m) last Wednesday, following a ninth in Randwick’s The Metropolitan (2400m), which contained a few starters in this race who went better. Chances improve with rain but rough place hope still best even then.
4. VAUBAN
56.5kg (2)
$26 / $7.25
8yo gelding
28-9:5:4
Good: 15:3-2-2 Soft: 12:6-2-2 Heavy: 1:0-1-0
$2,017,243
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott; J: Blake Shinn
Best long-distance form: 1st, 3319m, Lonsdale Cup (Gr 2) York, England, 23-08-2024; 11th, 3200m, Melbourne Cup (Gr 1) Flemington, 05-11-2024.
Can show up on his day but loves playing hard-to-like. Had a great record in England and Ireland, so started favourite in this race in 2023, and close to it again last year, but ran 14th and 11th. Since that last one has had a change of stable, staying in Australia with Waterhouse-Bott. They teased a 2000m win out of him at their first try, but he hasn’t won in six starts since. Has Melbourne’s premier jockey aboard, who’s won this race before (in 2008). He has won to 3382m in England, so he should get the trip, and wet form OK, but hard to have on his two Melbourne Cup runs. Plus he’s an 8yo, and they have a poor record in this race, with just three wins. Drawn well, but top 10 could be best bet.
5. CHEVALIER ROSE
55.5kg (5)
$51 / $13.50
8yo stallion
35-5:5:2
Good: 30:3-5-2 Soft: 1:0-0-0 Heavy: 0:0-0-0
$3,131,173
T: Hisashi Shimuzu; J: Damian Lane
Best long-distance form: 1st, 3600m, Stayers Stakes (Gr 2) Nakayama, Japan, 30-11-24; 7th, 3200m, Tenno Sho Spring (Gr 1) Kyoto, Japan, 04-05-25.
Japanese stayer and they make them tough there. Didn’t race beyond 2000m for the first four years of his career but has been reinvented as a long distance runner in the past 12 months. Beat a field of 14 in that Stayers Stakes carrying 58kg, so will appreciate the lighter weight here. Astute trainer, who brought Mer De Glace here to win the Caulfield Cup in 2019. Doubts are that he hasn’t raced since August and his last two runs in Japan were poor, albeit over 2200m and 2000m. Start before was his seventh in the Tenno Sho. That’s their biggest staying test so seventh sounds alright, but was beaten 10.3 lens. Plus he’s another eight-year-old. (See Vauban). No wet form. Drawn well in gate five, good big race jockey, favoured by Japanese trainers after spending time there, but still prefer others.
6. PRESAGE NOCTURNE
55.5kg (9)
$9 / $3
6yo stallion
17-5:5:3
Good: 3:0-0-1 Soft: 9:3-3-2 Heavy: 4:1-2-0
$782,192
T: Alessandro Botti; J: Stephane Pasquier
Best long-distance form: 1st, 3000m, Prix De Barberville (Gr 3) Longchamp, France, 27-04-25; 3rd, 3000m, Prix Kergorlay (Gr 2) Deauville, France, 24-08-25; 4th, 2400m, Caulfield Cup (Gr 1), Caulfield, 18-10-25.
French stayer who’s run well up to 3100m and is another by that great stallion Wootton Bassett. Turned in a huge run when fourth in the Caulfield Cup, coming from 13th on the home turn and beaten just 1.8 lengths. Should take great benefit from that run, his first in two months. Shows a strong competitive spirit, only finishing unplaced four times in his 17 starts. Turned in a great trial in the Kergorlay, one of France’s key staying races and an oft-used lead-up to this race. Nice gate, loves the wet, and is in this up to his French ears.
Presage Nocturne ridden by Martina Ligas some grass to eat after a trackwork session at Werribee Racecourse on October 30, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
7. MIDDLE EARTH
54.5 (13)
$34 / $9.25
6yo stallion
17: 5-2-2
Good: 13:4-1-2 Soft: 3:1-0-0 Heavy: 0:0-0-0
$706,040
T: Ciaron Maher; J: Ethan Brown
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2816m, Murless Stakes (Listed) Ascot, England, 06-10-23; 1st, 2816m, 3YO Handicap, York, England, 26-08-23.
European import who ran well in some good company in Britain before being snared by Australia’s biggest trainer, Ciaron Maher. Form has been patchy in Australia, with one win – on debut here in March – from eight starts. Only other placing was a last-start third of nine over 2040m in G3 class at Moonee Valley. That was a run to keep him ticking over for this leap in distance, after a middling 11th in the Caulfield Cup. Others were finishing better that day, but Maher might have been pleased with the run, as he was plodding in a way to suggest 3200m mightn’t trouble him. Drops in weight here, after 56.5kg at Caulfield and 60kg last start. He doesn’t have much wet form though, failed at his longest trip (2916m) and rough place or top six hope would be best.
8. MEYDAAN
54kg (22)
$13 / $4
5yo gelding
14: 2-2-2
Good: 10:1-1-1 Soft: 2:0-1-0 Heavy: 0:0-0-0
$350,072
T: Simon & Ed Crisford; J: James McDonald
Best long-distance form: 2nd, 2414m, Glorious Stakes (Gr 3) Goodwood, England, 02-08-25; 4th, 2816m, Queeen’s Vase (Gr 2) Royal Ascot, England, 19-06-24.
This horse came here from a major English stable and with a big reputation, which had him among the fancies for the Caulfield Cup. On face value he didn’t look to show too much there, running a 4.7 len ninth, but the more you look at it … He didn’t get the best of rides, being trapped three and four wide, often without cover, despite only starting from gate five. Got shuffled back to be third-last on the home turn, and then ground away nicely in the home straight looking like a horse who’d love 3200m. It was the type of quiet run behind the scenes you like as a pointer to the big one, and he wasn’t too used up. Gets probably the best jockey in the world on his back now in J-Mac, who won this in 2021. His sire is the great Frankel, and his progeny can do most things. There’s a little bit of doubt if the track’s really wet, since he hasn’t started on heavy, but that Glorious stakes second was on an English “soft”, which is a bit like an Australian heavy, so he might go OK. Big drawback, however, is gate 22. But he’s still a strong chance.
9. ABSURDE
53.5kg (4)
$26 / $7.25
8yo gelding
28: 7-7-5
Good: 16:5-5-2 Soft: 6:1-0-1 Heavy: 2:1-0-0
$1,570,305
T: Willie Mullins; J: Kerrin McEvoy
Best long-distance form: 5th 3200m Melbourne Cup 2024 (Gr 1) Flemington, 05-11-24; 2nd 2816m Grand Cup (Listed) York, England, 14-06-25.
Very honest stayer who doesn’t know how to run a bad race, including last-start seventh in the Caulfield Cup when beaten only 3.2 len. Has attempted this race twice now, with a decent seventh in 2023 and a strong fifth last year, when he made huge ground from 16th at the 400m. Has good wet form too. The trouble is he’s now an 8yo, and their record isn’t strong in this race. But his trainer is a genius, his jockey has won three of these Cups, the horse will stay all day, he’d drawn a beautiful gate, and he’s a definite top six hope, and possibly first three.
10. FLATTEN THE CURVE
53.5kg (17)
$26 / $7.50
7yo gelding
41: 8-9-4
Good: 7:2-2-0 Soft: 14:2-3-2 Heavy: 8:2-1-1
$952,074
T: Henk Grewe; J: Thore-Hammer Hansen
Best long-distance form: 1st, 3319m Bowling Green Cup, Kentucky Downs, USA, 30-08-25; 1st, 3200m, Langer Hamburger (Listed), Hamburg, Germany, 05-07-25; 1st, 3700m, Handicap, Nantes, France, 19-10-24.
This German gelding is bred to stay like that bloke who’s been crashing on your couch for the past three weeks. He’s by a good French sire of stayers called Zarak, his mum won at 2400m and her dad was Teofilo, father of three Melbourne Cup winners – in the past seven years – including 2023 Cups double hero Without A Fight. This gelding tooled around for a long time, winning two of his first 34 starts. But then, switched to a new trainer in Henk Grewe, he’s gone bang since last October, winning six of seven. They’ve ranged from 2800m in Germany to 3700m in France. Can travel. Went from Germany to run fourth in the Belmont Gold Cup in June (beaten a long way behind Melbourne Cup rival Parchment Party, but it was on a heavy dirt/mud track, so forget it). Then popped home to win a 3200m Listed race at Hamburg, then popped back to the US to win over 3300m in Kentucky Listed grade at his last start. Goes on wet or dry tracks, has been carrying much bigger weights than this. Had drawn badly in gate 17, but still looks a decent each-way chance.
11. LAND LEGEND
53.5kg (16)
$101 / $26
6yo gelding
22: 3-2-2
Good: 14:2-1-0 Soft: 3:0-0-1 Heavy: 1:0-0-1
$1,349,882
T: Chris Waller; J: Joao Moreira
Best long-distance form: 8th, 3200m, Melbourne Cup 2024 (Gr 1) Flemington, 05-11-24; 1st, 2400m, The Metropolitan (Gr 1) Randwick, 05-10-24.
Has the Chris Waller polish and one of the world’s best jockeys in Brazil’s Joao Moreira. Did run alright in this race last year when a 3.3 length eighth at $15. However, form this spring has been woeful, including a last-start last of 18, beaten 19 lengths, in the Caulfield Cup. Was last of 14 the start before that too, in the Turnbull (2000m). Had better form leading into last year’s Big Cup, winning the Metropolitan and running third in the Caulfield Cup. Only way you could entertain is if it’s heavy, but even then he’s just a rough top 10 hope. Drawn badly as well.
12. SMOKIN’ ROMANS
53.5 (11)
$101 / $26
9yo gelding
53: 11-9-3
Good: 30:5-2-3 Soft: 16:3-4-0 Heavy: 5:1-3-0
$2,392,265
T: Ciaron Maher; J: Ben Melham
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2600m, Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 3) Flemington, 09-11-24; 7th, 3200m, Melbourne Cup 2022 (Gr 1) Flemington, 01-11-22.
Another 9yo who’s 100-1 and probably deserves to be longer. Qualified for this by winning QEII last November, but form has been moderate this spring – not a patch on three years ago when a fair seventh in this race. Hard to have on last-start 8th of 11 in Moonee Valley Cup (Gr 3) over 2500m, fading out after being in the leading division. Chances improve in the wet, and he’s got a good gate, but still rough top 10 only.
13. CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD
53kg (24)
$81 / $21
7yo gelding
Good: 9:2-2-1 Soft: 7:1-1-1 Heavy: 0:0-0-0
$757,850
T: Kris Lees; J: Tim Clark
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2400m City Tatts Cup (Listed) Randwick, 06-09-25; 1st, 2406m, King Edward VII Stakes (Gr 2) Royal Ascot, England, 17-06-2022.
One from the collection of multiple Melbourne Cup winning owner Lloyd Williams. Was imported to Australia after winning three of his first nine starts for the mega Aidan O’Brien stable. Here, under the capable Kris Lees, he’s gone only fairly. He won the Tatts Cup three starts back, then had to be eased out of The Metropolitan when he clipped the heels of one in front of him and stumbled badly. That was a forget run, but his subsequent sixth of eight in the Geelong Cup wasn’t. He’s also drawn the widest gate. Looking elsewhere.
14. HALF YOURS
53kg (8)
$6 / $2.25
5yo gelding
14: 7-3-0
Good: 8:3-2-0 Soft: 5:3-1-0 Heavy: 1:1-0-0
$3,841,840
T: Tony and Calvin McEvoy; J: Jamie Melham
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2400m, Caulfield Cup (Gr 1) Caulfield, 18-10-25; 1st, 2400m, Caloundra Cup (Listed), Sunshine Coast, 05-07-25.
Here he is folks, your Melbourne Cup favourite. He’s an exciting stayer, and not just because he’s an Aussie-bred taking on this mostly European-bred field. Had his first try at 2400m in July and brained ‘em in the Caloundra Cup by 4.45 lengths. That’s many leagues of class below this race, but it was a breathtakingly easy display which marked him a likely spring star. He showed it again by winning a 2000m G3 at Caulfield by 3.5 lens, following with a great fourth in the 2000m Turnbull, where he was a doubt due to its set weights conditions. Back to the handicaps in the Caulfield Cup, he won very well, if not by a long way but about half a length, but he appeared in control. Now he has his chance to prove he can go 800m further, up half a kilo in weight but still with a relatively light 53kg. Goes well in the wet. History is against him, with only 12 horses having completing the Caulfield-Melbourne Cups double since the former’s inception in 1879. The more obvious doubt is – will he get the trip? But highly rated jockey Jamie Melham declared he would after the Caulfield Cup. He’s in the hands of very capable trainers, but until you see them do it, you’re always taking a leap of faith that they’ll see out a strong 3200m. He has drawn ideally though in gate eight. Definite each-way chance.
First woman to win the Caulfield Cup! | 00:56
15. MORE FELONS
53kg (23)
$51 / $13.50
7yo gelding
21: 5-3-0
Good: 13:2-1-0 Soft: 7:2-2-0 Heavy: 0:0-0-0
$807,746
T: Chris Waller; J: Tommy Berry
Best long-distance form: 2nd, 3382m, The Finesse (Gr 2) Chester, England, 28-01-23; 4th, 2400m, The Metropolitan (Gr 1) Randwick, 04-10-25.
British import for gun trainer Chris Waller who caught the eye with a close fifth in the Geelong Cup (2400m) on Australian debut last spring. That put him among the each-way fancies for the Melbourne Cup, where he ran a middling 12th, albeit from gate 23. Has made ground his past two starts, including The Metropolitan, where he was only bean 1.3 len, and last-start fourth in Randwick’s St Leger (Gr 3, 2600m). Goes OK on the soft, but untried on the heavy. He’s honest, but there are stronger formlines than his, and he’s drawn way out wide in gate 23. Possibly a top eight chance.
16. ONESMOOTHOPERATOR
53kg (6)
$15 / $4.50
8yo gelding
46: 6-11-6
Good: 15:2-0-3 Soft: 3:0-1-0 Heavy: 0:0-0-0
$1,422,317
T; Brian Ellison; J: Harry Coffey
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2500m, Moonee Valley Cup (Gr 2) Moonee Valley, 24-10-25; 1st, 2400m, Geelong Cup (Gr 2) Geelong, 23-10-24; 1st, 3319m, Handicap, Newcastle, England, 29-06-24.
This British gelding won the Geelong Cup in blistering style last year and went into the Melbourne Cup as a well fancied $7 chance. Didn’t do much, however, running a 5.4 len 12th. Went and raced back home and in Dubai and didn’t win again in seven starts, including a major flop 19th in York’s Ebor Handicap over 2816m, which is often a trial for Brit Melbourne Cup contenders. However, put all that behind him, and maybe showed again how much he likes a working holiday in Australia, when he won the Moonee Valley Cup very impressively last start, swooping home from 10th at the 400m to score by 0.75 len. However, that wasn’t the classiest of trials for this. Athabascan ran second and he’s around the $101 mark in this race. This horse doesn’t have a lot of wet form either, but it’s just that Melbourne Cup run last year that makes you worry. And he’s an 8yo now, but he’s drawn well and is a top six chance.
17. FURTHUR
52kg (7)
$34 / $9.25
4yo stallion
Good: 5:2-1-0 Soft: 2:0-0-0 Heavy: 1:0-1-0
$297,842
T: Andrew Balding; J: Michael Dee
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2715m, Freer Stakes (Gr 3) Newbury, England, 16-08-25; 2nd, 2816m, Queen’s Vase (Gr 2) Royal Ascot, England, 18-06-25.
Amongst all these seven- and eight-year-olds, here’s one from a far sexier demographic. He’s a four-year-old officially in the southern hemisphere, but is still only three-and-a-half biologically. That’s a great template, because they haven’t done much racing and so get into this race with a light weight – far lighter than they’re used to carrying back home. The age group has hatched several European horses who’ve done well in this race in the past decade, including winners Rekindling (2017) and Cross Counter (2018). This horse showed his staying potential with that 2715m win at Newbury two starts back, by three lengths. Alas it was followed by a sixth of seven in the high-class St Leger (Gr 1, 2921m), on a soft track. He has a quality trainer in Andrew Balding, who’s obviously tagged him as a likely type for this assignment, but you’d be taking a leap of faith. Does have a good barrier though. Place chance.
18. PARCHMENT PARTY
52kg (3)
$51 / $13.50
5yo stallion
Firm: 10:3-1-1 Good: 0:0-0-0 Soft: 0:0-0-0 Heavy: 1:1-0-0
$642,690
T: William Mott; J: Johnny Velazquez
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2816m, Belmont Cup (Gr 3) Saratoga, USA, 06-06-25; 1st, 2816m, Birdstone Stakes (Listed, 2816m) Saratoga, USA, 06-08-25.
The first American horse and rider to challenge for the Cup! Those two runs at his past two starts were his first attempts beyond 2200m, so it looks like he’ll stay. The question for this one, however, is how will he go on grass? Most of his racing back home has been on dirt (hence all those “Firm” starts listed above). The Belmont Cup won him a ticket into this race. It was supposed to be on turf, appropriately, but a downpour forced it moved to the dirt/mud. So, unlike everyone else in this field, we don’t really know how he’ll go on grass. His US Hall of Fame trainer was also hoping for a dry and hard Flemington, but even that won’t happen, if the ever-reliable weather forecasters are right. So there’s a lot of doubt about this bloke. Velazquez is a great rider back home, but this is his first look at a Melbourne Cup, and they can take some getting used to for overseas jockeys. Drawn well in gate three, but rough top 10 hope only.
19. ATHABASCAN
51.5kg (1)
$101 / $26
7yo gelding
Good: 21:1-4-0 Soft: 17:3-2-4 Heavy: 1:0-0-0
$1,501,702
T: John O’Shea and Tom Charlton; J: Declan Bates
Best long-distance form: 2nd, 3200m, Sydney Cup (Gr 1) Randwick, 13-04-24; 5th, 3200m, Sydney Cup (Gr 1) Randwick, 12-04-25.
Former European who’s run some handy staying races since moving out here, but usually in lower grades than this. Last start bobbed up for second in the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) at $20, beaten 0.75 len by Onesmoothoperator. Was second at this track in the Archer Stakes (Gr 3, 2500m) in the spring of 2023, beaten only 0.3 lens. Has fair soft track form but others make more appeal.
20. GOODIE TWO SHOES
51.5kg (20)
$34 / $7
7yo mare
Good: 7:5-0-1 Soft: 11:2-0-4 Heavy: 0:0-0-0
$298,143
T: Joseph O’Brien; J: Wayne Lordan
Best long-distance form: 1st, 3218m, His Majesty’s Plate (Listed), Down Royal, Ireland, 30-05-25; 1st, 2816m, Stanerra Stakes (Gr 3) Fairyhouse, Ireland, 09-07-25; 1st, 3419m, Mares’ Maiden Hurdle, Killarney, Irealand, 01-10-23.
This mare can obviously stay all day and goes alright on the soft, though untried on heavy, but again an Irish soft is like an Australian heavy. That Fairyhouse run came two starts back, before a third in stronger company at Goodwood in G2 class over 2816m. Is another from the very strong staying stable of Joseph O’Brien, and has a very light weight, whereas she’s carried 59-61kg in her past three runs. She’ll love the 51.5kg. You just wonder if she’s here to set a good pace for O’Brien’s main runner, Al Riffa, and she’d have to work hard early from gate 20. Rough place chance, and could be a top eight bet.
‘He just sat there like a big sissy’ | 00:57
21. RIVER OF STARS
51.5kg (14)
$17 / $5
7yo mare
Good: 10:3-1-3 Soft: 9:0-4-1 Heavy: 1:0-1-0
$1,543,961
T: Chris Waller; J: Beau Mertens
Best long-distance form: 2nd, 2400m Caulfield Cup (Gr 1), Caulfield, 18-10-25; 3rd, 3200m, Sydney Cup (Gr 1), Randwick, 12-04-25; 4th, 3100m, Prix Gladiateur (Gr 3) Longchamp, France, 08-09-24.
Staying mare formerly trained in England but bought by the big bucks Yulong operation and brought to Australia, with the Melbourne Cup in mind. She failed in her first two starts this spring, but switched to handicaps for the Caulfield Cup she produced a huge run at big odds ($91) to run second, 0.46 length off the favourite for this race, Half Yours. She drops 2kg for this race, and has shown she can deal with the trip when running third in the Sydney Cup, though that’s a lower class affair. Has yet to win a G1 but you can’t doubt her trainer. Plus, she has a tiny weight on her back, and a decent wet record, and an OK middle barrier. Each-way chance, and definite top six hope.
22. ROYAL SUPREMACY
51kg (21)
$34 / $9.25
5yo gelding
Good: 6:2-2-1 Soft: 6:1-1-1 Heavy: 1:1-0-0
$1,142,212
T: Ciaron Maher; J: Robbie Dolan
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2400m, The Metropolitan (Gr 1) Randwick, 04-10-25; 3rd, 2414m, King Edward VII (Gr 2) Royal Ascot, 21-06-24; 5th, 2400m, Caulfield Cup (Gr 1) Caulfield, 18-10-25.
Former Brit who was bought to be trained by Ciaron Maher here after that Royal Ascot run. Coming third in a G2 there is great prep for succeeding in Australian staying races. He needed time off initially but has done alright since, winning three of his past five starts along with a second in the Newcastle Cup (Gr 2, 2300m). Big ticks for this are his win in The Metropolitan two starts back and a very decent fifth in the Caulfield Cup when he made ground from the back. The doubts are that he hasn’t been beyond 2615m (second in England), and he’s been in work for a long time this campaign, having kicked it off in May. Still, don’t doubt Ciaron Maher. And he goes well in the wet. Has a rotten barrier though in 21. Rough place chance.
23. TORRANZINO
51kg (18)
$26 / $7.25
6yo gelding
Good: 19:3-4-1 Soft: 13:3-3-1 Heavy: 1:0-0-0
T: Paul Preusker; J: Celine Gaudray
Best long-distance form: 1st, 2400m Geelong Cup (Gr 3) Geelong, 23-10-25; 2nds, 2520m, The Bart Cummings (Gr 3) Flemington 04-10-25;
A New Zealand-bred, and they can breed a good stayer, and he’s prepared by a renowned trainer of stayers from the Victorian bush. In strong form with a second in The Bart Cummings at $71 and a half-length win in the Geelong Cup, also at relatively big odds of $10 in an eight-horse field. That has been a good trial race for this one in the past, but this year’s lacked quality, and this is a huge rise in class. Also has a competent rider but she’s not known for the big races, with no wins at G1 or G2 level. Still, has decent soft track form and a tiny weight, and they bob up occasionally. Wide gate is a worry, but he’s a top 10 hope.
$10 underdog wins Geelong Cup | 00:58
24. VALIANT KING
51kg (10)
$7 / $2.50
6yo gelding
Good: 12:1-1-2 Soft: 6:1-1-1 Heavy: 1:0-1-0
$922,632
T: Chris Waller; J: Jye McNeil
This horse came from Ireland with a big reputation to run in the Cups of 2023, and managed a fair sixth in Caulfield’s, in the market as a $10 chance. He stayed on, with Chris Waller, to become a bit of an also-ran, coming 13th in last year’s Melbourne Cup at $91. Form wasn’t much better in the autumn, but this spring he’s a different horse. Master trainer Chris Waller stepped him up from 1500m to 2520m, which is a big leap, for The Bart Cummings. He was a $61 chance but he bolted in, by 2.75 len. He then was $26 in the Caulfield Cup but produced a huge run, coming from 16th at the 400m to run third, beaten 1.46 len. Jockey Jye McNeil rode him for the first times in those two runs and has stuck to him again for this. McNeil won the Melbourne Cup in 2020 on Twilight Payment, so knows his way around. This time the horse is at $7, and he’s got a nothing weight, and that’s good in the wet, and he has decent wet form. The worry is, he didn’t run the trip out last year, but he’s going better now, he’s drawn well, and he’s got to be a chance.
TIPS: 1. Presage Nocturne, 2. Meydaan; 3. Flatten The Curve; 4. Valiant King.
Best roughie: Furthur