Melbourne Cup Betting, Tips, Odds, Horses & More 2025

Get ready for the thrill of the 2025 Melbourne Cup, a highlight on the racing calendar that requires careful preparation, especially if you're planning to bet on the Melbourne Cup. Run at 3pm on the first Tuesday in November, as it is every year, the 2025 edition will take place on Tuesday, 4th November and is known as one of the biggest Group One races in the world. 

Renowned as "the race that stops a nation", the upcoming edition of the race promises an exhilarating mix of horse racing, fashion, dining and entertainment. Beyond the iconic $8 million Lexus Melbourne Cup, the event features 10 races across various distances and prize values, cementing its status as Australia's most prestigious racing spectacle. 

But it's not just about the horses. Attendees eagerly anticipate a chance to flaunt extravagant attire, with women donning vibrant dresses and ostentatious hats. There are VIP marquees, brimming with fashion parades and entertainment, which are set up throughout the racecourse. 

Witness the gripping convergence of global equine talent, as Australia and an expected crowd of over 100,000 stand still to revel in the excitement. Flemington Racecourse, one of the top tracks in Australia, is set to sparkle with fashion shows, live music, and exquisite culinary offerings. 

But even before the big day, there's plenty of anticipation with early Melbourne Cup tips and Melbourne Cup betting tips being eagerly discussed among punters. Be sure to check out the Melbourne Cup review and Melbourne Cup tips for insights that could make all the difference.

You should definitely make sure you check OnlyRacing.com.au closer to the meet on November 4 to see our most up-to-date tips and analysis of all the runners in the Melbourne Cup. Our experts will include best bets, exotics and multi-picks to satisfy your punting needs.

So let’s get to the big stuff…who’s going to win? There’s almost no better feeling than saying you backed the winner of the Melbourne Cup! Bragging rights are on the line and the team at OnlyRacing takes that very seriously. We love giving our readers the best free horse racing tips and this includes top-notch Flemington tips as well.

We are a little while away from the Melbourne Cup, so our experts are holding off providing any tips as we don’t know for sure which runners are due to take part in the race. As more information comes to light, we will get cracking on our tips to ensure you have all the details you’re looking for.

Seeing that you’re already here, you can find our best bet, next best and best roughie for the 2024 Melbourne Cup right here:

Melbourne Cup Best Bet - Onesmoothoperator

As we always see, it’s a quality field for the Melbourne Cup, In fact, quality is a little bit of an understatement. So, who goes on top? Well, I’m siding with Onesmoothoperator for the 2024 Melbourne Cup. The 7YO made a big splash in his first race in Australia, winning the Geelong Cup in fairly dominant fashion (2.3L). 

He did pull up a little lame in the Geelong Cup, but trainer Brian Ellison has still got him running in the big race. If he produces anything like what he did last time out, he is in with a massive shout. The 3,200m is not going to be an issue for him and he has the type of turn of foot required to win this one. Currently getting $8.00 for the gelding at PlayUp.

Melbourne Cup Next Best - Sea King

Honestly, I was THIS close to putting Sea King on top and I really think the gelding can get the chocolates here. He follows a similar path to Onesmoothoperator, as he claimed victory in his first race Down Under, in the Bendigo Cup. He will certainly face a tougher test here, but the way he dispatched the field was epic, winning by almost 4L.

With that run in Bendigo under his belt, he should be coming into this one rock-hard fit and only has to carry 50.5kg on his back. He clearly has travelled well (just like Onesmoothoperator) and I am expecting big things. Sea King is one of the top chances in my opinion and he is going around at $10, at the time of writing.

Melbourne Cup Best Roughie - Zardozi

Boy, would I love to see this girl win the Melbourne Cup! She is very deep into her prep and this is her Grand Final. The mare hasn’t seen the winner’s stall so far this prep, but there’s no better time than the present, right? She should have won The Metropolitan back in early October, just getting nosed out in the dying stages. Currently paying $16 for the win.

Then, in the Caulfield Cup, she had plenty of excuses, after copping a bump as she was starting to get into her groove. Looks like trainer James Cummings is following in his grandfather’s (Bart’s) footsteps, after racing Zardozi in the Empire Rose Stakes on November 2, so she’ll be on the quick turnaround. Gets a good barrier and light at the weights.

Such is the interest in this iconic race that almost everyone you come across is likely to be armed with at least a couple of Melbourne Cup betting tips. It is a fantastic betting affair and if you can find some early Melbourne Cup tips and get a bet on in the “Before Noms” or “All-In” markets, then there’s a chance you could back the winner at vastly better odds compared to if you simply bet on the day.

That said, however, there is no better feeling than being able to say “I backed the winner in the Melbourne Cup''. So our advice would be if you aren’t lucky enough to get some early Melbourne Cup tips from your friends, workmates or acquaintances then make sure to read the full Melbourne Cup review that we post on this site before race day.

We thoroughly recommend having a bet on the Melbourne Cup! The thrill is unlike anything else and there are some wonderful ways to do it. You can afford to digest the Melbourne Cup review and all the Melbourne Cup tips you hear, then back several runners in the race and if you happen to back the winner then still walk away with a tidy profit.  

It’s a great idea to incorporate any early Melbourne Cup tips into the exotics for the race, particularly the Trifecta and First Four. The prize pools for these are so big that the payout is often very good indeed, meaning that even if you have a small percentage of the Trifecta or First Four dividend you can still walk away with a big Melbourne Cup Day smile when it is all over.

It’s also a good idea to bet using a range of betting apps, so you can find the best odds going around. There are many horse racing betting sites to choose from, but we make the process of choosing one easy, thanks to our comprehensive bookmaker reviews!

If you’re on the lookout for the best Australian betting sites, there are a couple in particular that we like for all your Melbourne Cup betting needs:

1. PlayUp - Looking for the best betting sites bonuses? Well, look no further than PlayUp! Their betting promotions are unique and you’ll feel truly valued with this bookmaker.
   
   
2. BetRoyale - Certainly one of the best betting apps for the Melbourne Cup. BetRoyale has an awesome protest payout feature. Trust us when we say that does come in handy sometimes!
   
   
3. Bet Right - If you like your winnings in your account fast, then Bet Right is the bookie for you. They pride themselves in their speedy withdrawals, so you can get to celebrating your extra cash faster.

Now, that’s just three of the bookies we like, there’s plenty more where that came from. If you want to learn about more Australian bookmakers, check out our “Betting Sites” section above!

Melbourne Cup Bet Types

The Melbourne Cup brings out all those once-a-year punters to play! If you are one of those punters, or you would simply like a refresher on all the different bet types available to you, we have so nicely put together this table for you.

Check out the range of bet types available for the Melbourne Cup:

The final field for the 2025 Melbourne Cup will be revealed on Saturday, November 1 at 4.30pm and will then be followed by the barrier draw later that evening. The main event takes place on Tuesday, November 4. However, there are some key dates to keep in mind as the race approaches. 

Some of the key dates you should be aware of:

Such is the interest in this iconic race that many bookmakers offer what is known as a “Before Noms” market for those eager to place an early bet on the Melbourne Cup. Keep in mind, though, that when these markets are known as “All-In”, once you bet on the Melbourne Cup, there's no refund if your chosen horse doesn't make the final 24-runner field. 

The field for the 2025 Melbourne Cup is yet to be determined. While we aren’t sure which runners will take their place in the final field, if history is anything to go by, it is going to be a high-quality field that is filled with both homegrown and international horses.

While we don’t know what the 2025 Melbourne Cup field holds, we can take a look back and see which runners competed in the 2024 race here:

As always, the 2024 edition of the Melbourne Cup saw 24 runners listed. There are never any emergencies listed in the Melbourne Cup either and in 2024, we saw only 23 runners take part in the race, due to the pre-race scratching of Athabascan.

Scratchings and horse racing go hand-in-hand, unfortunately. Even in major Group 1 races, like the Melbourne Cup, where there is significant prize money up for grabs. Scratchings can happen at any time, a day or so before the race, up to just minutes before the jump. The good news though, is that if your horse is scratched you will get your stake back.

Something else that is vital to look at when dissecting the final field is the barrier draw. We will go into this in more detail in the section below, but in a race like the Melbourne Cup where there is a full field, the barrier draw is critical. The barrier a runner starts from will have a major influence on race strategy.

As promised, we will discuss all the ins and outs of the Melbourne Cup barrier draw! Each horse is randomly drawn a starting barrier and it can have a major impact on the strategy deployed. Some barriers have seen more success than others over the years.

Have a look at the table here, as we go through the best and worst barriers of the Melbourne Cup:

Looking at that data, the connections of runners in the Melbourne Cup certainly don’t want to draw barriers 7, 15 or 18, as these three barriers have only seen one winner. The last time barrier 7 saw a Melbourne Cup winner was 100 years ago, in 1924!

On the flip side, barrier 5 and 11 have seen a lot of success, with eight winners each in the Melbourne Cup. The last winner from barrier 5 was in 2024 with Knight's Choice and for barrier 11, it was in 2010 with Americain.

Bet with more confidence on the Melbourne Cup by checking all the key form indicators. There is a lot to check when it comes to the Melbourne Cup form guide, so it can be difficult to know where to start. The good news is the team at OnlyRacing makes this process easy for you!

We go through all the key form indicators and provide them all here, so you don’t have to scroll through pages and pages of form! Each Group 1 is different and they don’t come bigger than the Melbourne Cup, so let’s take a look at all the key form indicators!

As the Melbourne Cup has turned into a truly international race, the form lines can be difficult to follow as you have to match up international form and see how it compares to Australian form. Despite this, many international horses, if their end target is the Melbourne Cup, will be in Australia well before the race and will likely target a few Group 1 races here to get some experience under their belt.

We have seen that the traditional major lead-up race for the Melbourne Cup has been the Caulfield Cup. It is run two weeks before the Melbourne Cup and is another staying event. The Caulfield Cup is another major Group 1 and many international and home-grown horses will be targeting this race as well.

Although, the impact of the Caulfield Cup has lessened over the years, as a win in this race would mean a potential weight penalty for the Melbourne Cup thanks to the handicap conditions. The connections of runners would rather have a lighter weight as it means less weight on the back of their horse.

This is certainly something that the connections have to consider, but on the flip side, a win in the Caulfield Cup means the horse receives automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup. There are a few other ballot-free races that horses can target, including:

• Andrew Ramsden Stakes
• Cox Plate
• Lexus Archer Stakes
• The Bart Cummings
• Roy Higgins Quality
• Ebor Handicap

When it comes to the favourite and the Melbourne Cup, it’s best to look past them. On average, only one in five of the winning horses was the favourite. The last favourite to win was Fiorente in 2013, even then the starting price was $7.00! The shortest-priced favourite in recent years was Incentivise in 2021, with a starting price of $2.90, but he could only manage second place.

Entires have had the most success in the Melbourne Cup, with 72 wins in total. While 4YOs and 5YOs are now tied as the most successful age of Melbourne Cup winners, at 46 winners each. As well as this, since the year 2000, we have seen eight international runners take out the Melbourne Cup.

Only the best horses contest the Melbourne Cup each year and only the best of the best go on to win the race that stops the nation. We could go into great detail about every winner of the Melbourne Cup, but instead, we’ve picked out some of the key winners over the years to dig a little deeper into what makes them so great.

The goal at hand? To provide you with some of the top horses that have ever competed (and won) the Melbourne Cup and boy, there sure are a lot of them! Check out the key horses from previous editions of the Melbourne Cup here:

Archer - 1861 & 1862

Archer will forever be known as the first-ever winner of the Melbourne Cup, as well as the first multiple-winner of the great race. He won the first two editions of the Melbourne Cup and in 1861 he was completely dominant, winning by six lengths. Archer successfully defended his crown in 1862, but due to a bureaucratic issue, he wasn’t able to try and win the race for a third time.

Peter Pan - 1932 & 1934

Peter Pan was the first multiple Melbourne Cup winner since Archer. The 1932 victory was certainly a famous one as he was near the back of the field and nearly fell over after clipping another runner’s heels. But he was able to steady up thanks to stablemate Denis Boy and the rest is history! Peter Pan wasn’t able to defend his crown in 1933 as he was suffering from a viral disease, but got his chance in 1934 and made the most of it.

Makybe Diva - 2003-2005

When you think of Melbourne Cup winners, the horse that most likely comes to mind is Makybe Diva. To this day, Makybe Diva is the horse that has the most Melbourne Cup wins, after winning the great race three years in a row. After each win the handicappers piled the weight on, but that wasn’t enough to hold her back. In 2005, she was carrying 58kg on her back and still won. She holds the record for the heaviest weight carried by a winning mare.

Prince of Penzance - 2015

The Prince of Penzance created history for a couple of reasons when winning the Melbourne Cup back in 2015. Firstly, Prince of Penzance was ridden by Michelle Payne, who became the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. Secondly, he started with some of the largest odds ever seen in a Melbourne Cup winner, paying $101!

Verry Elleegant - 2021

All the recent winners of the Melbourne Cup are high-quality horses, but we couldn’t go past the great Verry Elleegant. Verry Elleegant was even crowned the 2020/2021 Australian Racehorse of the Year, thanks to several key wins, including the 2021 Melbourne Cup along with the 2020 Caulfield Cup. She ended her career with a record of 36:16-7-3 and amassed over $14 million in prize money.

One of the most important pieces of the puzzle is the Melbourne Cup odds. As the Melbourne Cup is the biggest race of the year, all the top horse racing betting apps will have odds available all year round. As soon as one race ends, they will have horse racing markets up for the next year’s race!

You’ll find that odds for even the current favourite could be in double-digits because there are a lot of live chances vying for a spot in the final field. So, if you’ve got a hot early Melbourne Cup tip, we suggest getting on it as soon as you can to take advantage of those great odds.

If you are betting when the market is “Before Noms” this is perfect because if your horse doesn’t end up getting a run in the big race, you’ll get your stake back. When the market changes to “All-In”, if your horse isn’t in the final field, you, unfortunately, won’t get your stake back.

We will list the 2025 Melbourne Cup odds closer to the time of the big race. In the meantime, you can see where each runner in the 2024 race stacked up here:

*Odds correct as of 03/11/2024.

The Melbourne Cup, one of Australia's most iconic horse races, is held annually on the first Tuesday in November. It's a 3,200m race that sees participants from across the globe. Known for its grandeur, pageantry and occasional controversies, the Melbourne Cup is steeped in history. 

Here are some interesting facts about the biggest race of them all:

• The Melbourne Cup's inaugural race was in 1861, making it one of the world's oldest horse races.
• Only one horse has ever won from barriers 7, 15 or 18, making these three barriers the equal least successful barrier.
• Only one female jockey, Michelle Payne, has ever won the race. She rode Prince of Penzance to victory in 2015 and the odds were a staggering $101!
• In 1890, the race had a record 39 runners. For safety purposes, the field is now limited to 24 runners.
• The Melbourne Cup has been won by some of Australia's most legendary horses, including Phar Lap, Makybe Diva, Saintly and Might and Power.
• In 1993, the Cup went global when Vintage Crop won the race. Since then, several international horses have claimed the Cup, including; Media Puzzle (Ireland, 2002), Delta Blues (Japan, 2006), Americain (France, 2010), Dunaden (France, 2011), Protectionist (Germany, 2014), Almandin (Germany, 2016), Rekindling (Great Britain, 2017), Cross Counter (Great Britain, 2018), Twilight Payment (Ireland, 2020), Gold Trip (France, 2022) and Without A Fight (Ireland, 2023).
• The Melbourne Cup is often dubbed "the race that stops a nation" because of the public holiday declared in Victoria on race day.

So, there you have it - a compilation of fascinating facts about one of Australia's most cherished events, the Melbourne Cup! These stats are interesting and very unique, but if you’re looking for more about form indicators, scroll up to our “Form Guide” section.

Annually, on the first Tuesday of November, Melbourne stands still for the renowned Melbourne Cup. Fondly dubbed “the race that stops a nation”, thanks to the nationwide attention it garners, this event is deeply rooted in Australian culture. The race takes place in one of the biggest horse racing carnivals of the year, the Spring Racing Carnival.

It stands as one of the most prestigious and celebrated horse races globally, drawing immense interest from those seeking Melbourne Cup tips and betting opportunities. With a mammoth $8 million worth of prize money up for grabs, it’s not just the prestige the runners are chasing!

The Melbourne Cup is a public holiday in Victoria, with school children and working professionals alike taking a day off to revel in the festivities. As the biggest betting event in Australia, it has thousands of punters trying to predict the winner and millions partake in Melbourne Cup sweeps. Countless others tune in via radio or television, ensuring nearly everyone has a stake in the Melbourne Cup race.

The inaugural Melbourne Cup was held in 1861 and since then, it's become a significant mark on Australia's calendar. Immortalised in songs like 'Waltzing Matilda' by Banjo Paterson, it holds a special charm that continues to captivate the nation even after over 150 years. For those interested in this historic race, Melbourne Cup review articles offer insights into its storied history and provide Melbourne Cup betting tips to help guide their wagers.

While the Melbourne Cup is the biggest race of them all, if you’ve found you’d like to learn more about some of the other races on the Australian horse racing calendar, make sure you check out our Group One races list. We’ve got all the details you need on all the key races every year!

The Melbourne Cup, a celebrated icon in Australian sport, has seen an illustrious transition from its local roots to a significant international event. When it was first run in 1861, the race was a predominantly local affair. However, over time, it has emerged as a global spectacle, with its prestige attracting competitors from all corners of the globe.

The Melbourne Cup's journey towards internationalisation began in earnest in 1993 when Irish thoroughbred Vintage Crop, trained by Dermot Weld, crossed the finish line first. This victory marked a turning point in the race's history, shattering the perception that overseas horses couldn't handle the travel and unique challenges of the Melbourne Cup.

In the years that followed, many international trainers were encouraged by Vintage Crop's success and began to target the Melbourne Cup for their runners. The 2002 triumph of Media Puzzle, another horse from Dermot Weld's stable, reaffirmed the global appeal of the race.

In 2006, the race saw its first Japanese champion, Delta Blues, trained by Katsuhiko Sumii. This victory was significant, not just for Japan, but for the Asian horse racing community, further expanding the Cup's geographical footprint.

French horses also made their mark, with Americain and Dunaden clinching back-to-back victories in 2010 and 2011, respectively. The 2014 race saw Germany join the ranks of international victors when Protectionist, trained by Andreas Wohler, triumphed.

In recent times, there have been many international winners including:

• Almandin (Germany, 2016)
• Rekindling (Great Britain, 2017)
• Cross Counter (Great Britain, 2018)
• Twilight Payment (Ireland, 2020)
• Gold Trip (France, 2022)
• Without A Fight (Ireland, 2023)

The increased participation of international runners has not been without its controversies. Concerns over local opportunities and equine welfare have sparked debates. Nevertheless, it has undeniably raised the race's profile, turning the Melbourne Cup into a truly global event.

Today, the Melbourne Cup is more than a local horse race; it's a global stage where the world's best horses and trainers showcase their prowess. It's a testament to Australia's embrace of international competition and stands as a symbol of unity in the world of sport. Resonating with its motto: “the race that stops a nation” - or, perhaps more accurately now, “the race that captivates the world”.

The Melbourne Cup, a globally recognised horse racing event, takes place annually in Australia at the iconic Flemington Racecourse, located in Melbourne, Victoria. This prestigious race serves as a centrepiece for the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington, showcasing a series of Group 1 races throughout this electrifying event.

Running over a challenging distance of 3,200 metres, the Melbourne Cup invites thoroughbred horses aged three years and older to participate. Traditionally held on the first Tuesday of November, the day is recognised as a public holiday in Victoria, reflecting the cultural significance of this race. 

The Melbourne Cup Carnival commences with Derby Day on the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup, followed by the main race on Tuesday. The excitement continues on Thursday with Ladies Day, also known as Oaks Day and concludes with the Champions Stakes Day on the following Saturday. 

The Melbourne Cup Carnival attracts an attendance of over 100,000 annually, while millions tune in to watch the spectacle on television. There are many Melbourne Cup-associated events hosted at various venues, clubs and racecourses across Australia, allowing race enthusiasts to gather at local tracks or pubs to witness the exhilarating contest.

As a key fixture in Australian culture, the Melbourne Cup is considered one of the most prestigious horse races worldwide. With a prize purse of $8 million, it ranks among the richest races in the equestrian world. Known as "the race that stops a nation", the Melbourne Cup garners substantial public interest and attention, further affirming its status as a truly international event.

The Melbourne Cup isn't merely a significant sporting event; it's a much-awaited occasion on the Australian social calendar that seamlessly blends the world of racing with high fashion. Known for its glamour and sophistication, the Melbourne Cup is where spectators and celebrities alike display their sartorial flair through an array of extravagant ensembles.

There are no rigid dress regulations for the Melbourne Cup; however, the emphasis is on striking a balance between elegance and comfort, given the long-standing nature of the event. Over recent years, there's been a marked shift towards formal wear, with many gravitating towards tailored suits and fitted dresses.

Each racing season raises the bar in the fashion stakes, with attendees upping the ante with their imaginative and radiant outfits outshining the previous year's creations. While soft hues and pastels traditionally dominate the Melbourne Cup, vibrant colours and even metallic shades are increasingly finding favour as attendees explore more daring fashion choices.

Certain days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival and Spring Racing Carnival have even cultivated their distinctive fashion identity. For example, Oaks Day, affectionately referred to as Ladies Day, is renowned for its splash of pink ensembles.

Regardless of whether you're enjoying the races from Flemington's grounds, your local venue, your office, or the comfort of your home, everyone can partake in the fun of Melbourne Cup fashion. Believe it or not, our calculations reveal that dressing up for the occasion boosts your odds of picking a winning horse by a whopping 100%!

So this year, why not add some excitement to the Melbourne Cup? Dress up, have fun and place your bet on the race. Don't forget to check out our best bets for the Melbourne Cup for expert advice and our top-rated betting sites for the event.

The thing everyone wants to know is where the horse they bet on finished in the race. If you weren’t lucky enough to watch the race, you are relying on the official results of the race to be published. Have you come out as a winner and ready to brag to all your friends and family about the time you picked the Melbourne Cup winner? 

In 2024, the Melbourne Cup was taken out by one of the bigger roughies we’ve seen in a while, Knight's Choice. The 5YO gelding was paying a whopping $91 to claim victory in the Melbourne Cup and certainly would have made a select few very happy. Knight's Choice beat out Warp Speed by just 0.1L.

Filling in the final minor placing was Okita Soushi, who finished 0.85L off the leader. The Melbourne Cup proved unlucky for favourites again, with the pre-race favourite, Buckaroo, finishing down in ninth spot. In the end, the 2024 Melbourne Cup was run in a time of 3:19.53 and there was a total of 25.34L that split the entire field.

Check out the full Melbourne Cup results here:

Want to relive all the action from the 2024 Melbourne Cup? Well, we’ve got you covered! Check out the full race replay of the Melbourne Cup here:

Winning the Melbourne Cup is no easy feat, that’s for sure! But in the end, there is a winner every year, so check out the table we have put together of all the recent winners of the race (up until 2010):

The Melbourne Cup is one of the biggest horse races in the world and with that comes a lot of prize money! It is officially the richest handicap event and therefore many horses from right around the world come to Australia to try and bag themselves some of the prize money on offer.

There is a total of $8 million on offer, but this is split between the top 12 runners, with the winner getting a huge chunk of that $8 million. Check out the Melbourne Cup prize money breakdown here:

If you search for more specific information regarding the Melbourne Cup, make sure to visit our Melbourne Cup related pages:

• How to Bet on the Melbourne Cup
• Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw 2024
• Melbourne Cup Order of Entry 2024
• How to Watch the Melbourne Cup

You are now probably a true Melbourne Cup expert after going through this entire page! But one last thing before you go. If there are any final questions you may have, we’ve put together this FAQ section to hopefully cover them. Check out the FAQs here: