As has been the case in recent years, the race will start at 3pm AEDT \u2014 although it\u2019s often a few minutes later by the time the 24-horse field is ready to go.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s prize pool carries a total value of $10 million in cash and trophies, up from $8 million last year.<\/p>\n
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Follow all the action below from Cup Day, including a live blog of the big race.<\/p>\n
TREVOR MARSHALLSEA\u2019S FORM GUIDE: Every runner rated<\/a><\/p>\n JIMMY CASSIDY\u2019S CUP FORM GUIDE: Legendary jockey\u2019s verdict on every runner<\/a><\/p>\n PREDICTIONS: Who all the top experts are tipping<\/a><\/p>\n CHEAT SHEET: Why every horse can and can\u2019t win <\/a><\/p>\n 2025 Melbourne Cup barrier draw | 00:32<\/p>\n NEW FAVOURITE AS BIG MONEY COMES FOR RAIDER<\/p>\n The race has a new favourite on Cup day with big money coming for Irish import Al Riffa.<\/p>\n Caufield Cup winner Half Yours had held favouritsm since the field was confirmed but Al Riffa \u2014 one of Europe\u2019s elite stayers who is trained by Joseph O\u2019Brien \u2014 took over as slight favourite early on Cup day.<\/p>\n The horse attracted some huge bets at the annual Call of the Card \u2014 including a whopping$500,000 wager that could land a $4 million collect.<\/a><\/p>\n As of 9am AEST Al Riffa was in to $7 with the TAB ahead of of Half Yours ($7.50), Presage Nocturne ($9) and Valiant King ($10). Check out the full field here<\/a>.<\/p>\n EARLY FELMINGTON DRAMA<\/p>\n There\u2019s been some early drama at Flemington, with the winner of the first race Tornado Valley surviving a protest.<\/p>\n Tornado Valley crossed the line 0.35L ahead of runner up Tales of Time, but the connections of the 2nd horse lodged a protest citing interference.<\/p>\n Stewards didn\u2019t take too long to deliberate before dismissing the protest, meaning the original placings stand.<\/p>\n DON\u2019T FORGET ABOUT SYDNEY<\/p>\n While the focus is understandably on Flemington, there\u2019s a big-money race north of the border in Sydney that warrants some attention.<\/p>\n Randwick Racecourse will host the \u2018Big Dance\u2019, a stakes race with a prize purse of $3 million.<\/p>\n The state of prizemoney in Australian racing has never been in a better position than it is now and that\u2019s due to the invention of several pop up races over the last few years.<\/p>\n Respected sports administrator Peter V\u2019landys 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. <\/p>\n They\u2019ve successfully done this with the Everest, which is the second biggest race in this country behind the Melbourne Cup. <\/p>\n While the Big Dance – which was run and won for the first time in 2022 – hasn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n As for a tip, Tavi Time presents good value.<\/p>\n CUP DAY CALL MADE ON WET TRACK<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n It means horses will still need to be able handle soft ground but it\u2019s a boost for horses who struggle in extremely wet conditions.<\/p>\n Flemington track manager Liam O\u2019Keeffe predicted on Monday that the track would hold up well despite the steady rain.<\/p>\n \u201cWe 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.<\/p>\n PREDICTIONS: Who the experts are tipping<\/a><\/p>\n BIGGEST BETS: Who the money is coming for<\/a><\/p>\n ULTIMATE GUIDE: Everything you need to know<\/a><\/p>\n CUP LEAD-UP RUNS: All the performances you need to see to find the winner<\/a><\/p>\n WEATHER: Flemington forecast as rain looms<\/a><\/p>\n EXPERT FORM GUIDE: Runner-by-runner guide and predictions<\/a><\/p>\n FULL FLEMINGTON RACE CARD AND RESULTS (SuperTAB Tote prices)<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n 11.20am Ma Services Grand Handicap, 2000m, BM80<\/p>\n 12pm Tab Trophy, 3YO LR<\/p>\n 12.40pm The Schweppervescence Plate, 1000m, 3YO OPEN<\/p>\n 1.20pm Australian Heritage Cup, 2800m BM96<\/p>\n 1.55pm Kirin Ichiban Plate, 1800 LR<\/p>\n 3pm Lexus Melbourne Cup, 3200m G1<\/p>\n 3.50pm Lexus Amanda Elliott, 1400m 3YO Qlty LR<\/p>\n 4.35pm The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes, 1400, 4YO+G3 M<\/p>\n 5.15pm Channel 9 Trophy, 1400m BM90<\/p>\n FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION FROM MELBOURNE CUP DAY BELOW! CAN\u2019T SEE IT? CLICK HERE!<\/a><\/p>\n LATEST ODDS: Who is the favourite?<\/a><\/p>\n ORDER OF ENTRY: Who made the cut, and who didn\u2019t<\/a><\/p>\n MELBOURNE CUP BARRIER DRAW: How every horse fared<\/a><\/p>\n DUMMIES\u2019 GUIDE: How to put on a bet<\/a><\/p>\n FULL FIELD: Which horses and jockeys will feature in this year\u2019s Cup?<\/a><\/p>\n START TIME: What time does the race begin in my state?<\/a><\/p>\n MELBOURNE CUP DAILY: All the latest news ahead of the big race<\/a><\/p>\n TRAGEDIES: List of horses who have died in Race That Stops a Nation<\/a><\/p>\n