Spring has arrived and the air is warm and heavy with the scent of Flemington roses. It’s the first Tuesday in November, which means it’s time to play the Melbourne Cup on the famous 3,200 meter course.
We’ve got all the details you need to pick a winner in the big tournament.
TAB fixed odds are correct as of 8:00 p.m. AEDT, 2 November 2025 (please visit tab.com.au for the latest news).
1. AL RIFFA – TAB Odds:
$9 Form: 10x3x42211 Career: 17:5-6-1
% career earnings: 29 Place%: 71
This raider has been in good form in Ireland, but is preparing for the Cup without having been tested in Australian conditions. Expertly trained, with jockey Mark Zahra on board, this should be one of the chances, but I’ve seen this film before.
2. BUCKAROO (GB) – TAB odds:
$9 Form: 9x970x3232 Career: 31:5-6-6
% career earnings: 16 Place%: 55
Last start he finished second in the Cox Plate over 2040 meters at Moonee Valley and before that he finished second last in the Caulfield Stakes. With Craig Williams on board, she is one of the threats, although she only managed ninth last year.
3. ARAPAHO – TAB Odds:
$51 Form: 5241×36408 Career: 49:10-6-4
% career earnings: 20 Place%: 41
Last start he finished eighth in the Bendigo Cup and before that 15th in the Metrop at Randwick. Her only reassuring statistic is that she has already won at this distance. I wouldn’t mind a little rain.
4. VAUBAN – TAB Odds:
$26 Form: 0x130x3650 Career: 32:11-5-4
% career earnings: 34 Place%: 63
Finished 13th at last Caulfield Cup start after finishing fifth at the Metrop at Randwick over 2400 meters. He has Blake Shinn on board and jumps out of gate #2, but we’ve already seen him fail twice in Cup, finishing 11th last year.
5. PINK KNIGHT – TAB Odds:
$31 Form: x11x070x0x Career: 35:5-5-2
% career earnings: 14 Place%: 34
This Japanese raider brings with him some questionable form and gets straight off the plane after a stint, hoping to compete in the Melbourne Cup. At best, on a dry track, you might expect him to complete the course.
6. NIGHT OMEN – TAB Odds:
$8.50 Form: 71x4x13x34 Career: 18:6-5-3
% career earnings: 33 Place%: 78
One of the favorites to win, he looked very promising finishing fourth in the Caulfield Cup. Its overseas shape suggests that it will swallow up 3,200 meters. Should be here or there and prove to be a nightmare for run callers.
7. MIDDLE EARTH – TAB Odds:
$41 Form: x159x50903 Career: 18:5-3-2
% career earnings: 28 Place%: 56
Finished third in the JRA Cup at Moonee Valley over 2040 meters last start and before that 11th in the Caulfield Cup. One question away from the Cup, all you Lord of the Rings fans should probably just save your money.
8. MEYDAAN – TAB Odds:
$17 Form: 7×52005239 Career: 17: 3-2-2
% career earnings: 18 Place%: 41
This little-raced son of Frankel finished ninth in the Caulfield Cup. He was passed over at barrier 22, but with master jockey James McDonald on board he should have every chance of finishing in contention.
9. ABSURD – TAB Odds:
$23 Form: x33132x3x7 Career: 29:7-7-6
% career earnings: 24 Place%: 69
I’m going around Flemington again, wearing the same number as last year, but hoping for a slightly better result than fifth place. On his last start he finished seventh in the Caulfield Cup, resuming after a spell. We know he can stay and could be there at the finish.
10. FLATTEN THE CURVE – TAB Dimensions: $21 Form: 1x1144111x Career: 54: 11-10-5
% career earnings: 20 Place%: 48
This French raider was at least in winning form before heading to Australia. Still, it would have been nice to see it operating somewhere other than the Werribee quarantine station. Carries the brilliantly named German jockey Thore Hammer-Hansen.
11. EARTH LEGEND – TAB Odds: $61 Form: x768x39500 Career: 24: 4-2-2
% career earnings: 17 Place%: 33
He last beat nothing at home in the Caulfield Cup and before that he finished last in the Turnbull. If consistency is your thing, then this horse is for you, remembering that Knight’s Choice was in terrible form last year and still won.
12. SMOKIN’ NOVELS – TAB Ratings:
$61 Form: 0310×72948 Career: 53: 11-9-3
% career earnings: 21 Place%: 43
On his last start he finished eighth in the Moonee Valley Cup and before that fourth in the Herbert Power over 2400 meters at Caulfield. The 9-year-old should struggle over the 3,200 meters. Ben Melham will probably see his wife disappear into the distance.
13. CHANGE OF GUARD – TAB Odds:
$61 Form: 2×82106 Career: 18:4-3-3
% career earnings: 22 Place%: 56
On his last start he finished sixth in the Geelong Cup, before finishing last at the Metrop at Randwick. One to invest your money on if you like turning sentences into one word, it doesn’t have much else to offer.
14. HALF YOURS – TAB Odds:
$7 Form: F211215141 Career: 15: 7-3-0
% career earnings: 47 Place%: 57
The winner of the Caulfield Cup is the early favorite to win this year’s Melbourne Cup. Jamie Melham became the first woman to win a Caulfield Cup and she will be keen to win doubles and wedding bragging rights.
15. MORE FELONS – TAB Odds:
$41 Form: 50x12x0944 Career: 24: 6-3-0
% of career earnings: 25 Place%: 28
On his last start he finished fourth at the St Leger at Randwick over 2600 metres, and before that he finished fourth again at the Metrop at the same track. He might be out of his league in the Melbourne Cup but should enjoy the race.
16. ONESMOOTOPERATOR – TAB Odds:
$23 Form: 5x840x1 Career: 51: 6-11-7
% career earnings: 12 Place%: 47
Won the Moonee Valley Cup last start over 2500 meters and was well backed to win this race last year before finishing 12th. He doesn’t seem to like winning too often, but could surprise and finish near the end of the court.
17. FURTHUR – TAB Odds:
$23 Form: 72×152516 Career: 8: 2-2-0
% career earnings: 25 Place%: 50
This little-raced Irish stayer will cross the barriers to make his first ever race start in Australia, after a 52-day spell. I’m not a trainer, but every year we see imports arrive here without trying and leave disappointed.
18. PARCHMENT PART – TAB Dimensions:
$51 Form: 922331111x Career: 22:8-2-2
% career earnings: 36 Place%: 55
This little-raced American stayer is also trying his luck in the Melbourne Cup without prior departure to Australia. This leads to an additional problem: at home, we only won on dirt roads. It will need a very strong drought before it gets going.
19. ATHABASCAN – TAB Odds: $81 Form: 82959×0002 Career: 39:4-6-4
% career earnings: 10 Place%: 36
Finished second in the Moonee Valley Cup over 2500 meters last start behind Onesmoothoperator. At first, before this, it was disappointing in The Metrop at Randwick. Connections should make the most of the big day.
20. GOODY TWO SHOES – TAB Odds:
$41 Form: 331111113x Career: 26:13-0-7
% career earnings: 50 Place%: 77
The former Irish hurdler has an incredible success rate, but is once again coming to Australia for his first ever appearance in our toughest race, after a 94-day stint. This preparation might surprise you, but it will take a very special horse.
21. RIVER OF STARS – TAB Odds:
$17 Form: 42x73x7802 Career: 22:4-6-5
% career earnings: 18 Place%: 68
Finished second at last start in the Caulfield Cup, just half a length behind the winner. Before that, it was disappointing in the Turnbull over 2000 meters. Should handle the extra distance and could surprise at a good price.
22. ROYAL SUPREMACY – TAB Odds:
$34 Form: 32×0011215 Career: 17:6-4-3
% career earnings: 33 Place%: 76
Finished fifth in the Caulfield Cup, just two and a half lengths behind the winner. Before that he won the Metrop at Randwick over 2400 meters. There are some doubts about his ability to run the 3,200 meters.
23. TORRANZINO – TAB Odds:
$34 Form: 4212×80821 Career: 33:6-7-2
% career earnings: 18 Place%: 45
Won the Geelong Cup last start, which is usually a very good line race. Before Geelong he finished second in the Bart Cummings at Flemington. Slightly weighted, she would probably prefer a little rain on the big day.
24. VALIANT KING
– TAB odds: $8 Form: 0x0693x013 Career: 20:2-4-2
% career earnings: 10 Place%: 40
We often see good performances from the lightweight horses and Valiant King looks set to continue that tradition. Storming home from the back of the field to finish third in the Caulfield Cup should at least be in your trios.
