MELBOURNE CUP PREVIEW
The 2025 edition of the Melbourne Cup is shaping up to be a fascinating contest. Prizemoney has been lifted for the “race that stops a nation” to $10 million and once again will attract an international field with a list of strong locals that always grab the attention of the public.
The lead-up to this year’s Cup has been full of controversy, with one of the early favourites, the Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott trained Sir Delius (GB) being withdrawn due to irregularities with a PET scan performed on all runners prior to acceptances being taken.
Once again the internationals have created the biggest intrigue. The Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien knows what it takes to win the Melbourne Cup having saluted with Rekindling (2017) and the all the way winner Twilight Payment (2020). This season he brings arguably his best performed and in-form galloper to Australia in Al Riffa (FR). He was dominant winning the Curragh Cup (2816m) by 5 lengths two starts back then just as impressive winning the Irish St Leger (2816m) by a similar margin before coming to Australia. If he has made the trip without any mishap he can win the 2025 Melbourne Cup.
For over 150 years the Caulfield Cup has been the race to review prior to deciding on a Melbourne Cup decision. In recent years with internationals dominating the Cup, some experts have ignored the Caulfield Cup form, but in the last three years the Melbourne Cup winner has run in the Caulfield Cup. Again the Caulfield Cup looks to have thrown up many of the leading chances in this year’s Melbourne Cup.
The winner of the 2025 Caulfield Cup Half Yours will likely start favourite. The training combination of Tony & Calvin McEvoy are looking to become the first father/son stable to win a Melbourne Cup. Their gelding has made a rapid rise in the staying ranks having won a lowly Seymour Benchmark 64 (1600m) back in April 2025, but he made the trip to the Sunshine Coast in the winter and he showed his ability winning the Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) by over 4 lengths. His form this spring has been super and culminated in a tough Caulfield Cup in after an outstanding ride by Jamie Melham. Looks perfectly weighted in the Melbourne Cup and he is the form stayer.
It is important in a Caulfield Cup to look beyond the winner when trying to find the Melbourne Cup winner. This year’s Caulfield Cup is no exception as there was great runs galore behind the winner. River Of Stars (IRE) was brave and actually taking ground off winner again as they crossed the line suggesting the two miles at Flemington will be ideal. Valiant King (GB) chased home strong and grabbed minor placing at Caulfield. He had won at Flemington prior and another who will appreciate the open spaces. Presage Nocturne (IRE) finished just out of the placings in Caulfield Cup. He comes into the Melbourne Cup third-up from spell and primed.
The horse that has really jumped out of the ground and into contention is the American bred Onesmoothoperator (USA). His UK form before coming to Australia was less than flattering after being beaten 16 lengths in the Ebor at York (GB), but the stable identified the Melbourne Cup for him and when he stepped out at The Valley for the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) he had plenty of support in the market, but when Mark Zahra had him back near last and in traffic before the short straight he looked too far back. Once balanced-up and in clear this gelding produced an explosive turn-of-hoof and in the end reeled leaders in with ease and was powering away late. Bigger track at Flemington ideal and would not be surprised to see him in finish.
Once again the Melbourne Cup looks an open affair with plenty of international flavor up against local talent. When making a decision ensure you visit Palmerbet.com and share in over 20+ promotions on a weekly basis.
2025 Melbourne Cup selections
- HALF YOURS
- AL RIFFA
- ONESMOOTHOPERATOR
- PRESAGE NOCTURNE