Melbourne Cup 2025 – Tips, Field, Winners, Horses, Odds & Betting

The 2025 Melbourne Cup final declarations are in, with a full complement of 24 seasoned stayers confirmed to contest the race that truly halts the nation.

Below, we break down all 24 horses in the Melbourne Cup Field, and you’ll find Video Form for every runner — including the internationals — to help you size up their chances.

One of the sharpest ways to spot the Melbourne Cup winner is to study each contender’s lead-up performances, and we’ve already done the legwork by sourcing those key races and listing them for you here.

If you’re having a bet on the Melbourne Cup, compare bookmakers and offers via our guide to Australia’s betting sites before you place a wager.

1. Al Riffa

Breeding: Wootton Bassett x Love On My Mind

Trainer: Joseph O’Brien

Jockey: Mark Zahra

Weight: 59kg

Barrier: 19

Career Stats: 15: 5-5-1

Min/Max Distance Wins: 1408m/2816m

Career Best Win: Irish St Leger, September 14 2025, Curragh, Soft Surface

Dry Track Stats: 8: 3-3-1

Wet Track Stats: 7: 2-2-0

Short Summary: Weighted right to his best. Is his best good enough? My word it is in a race that has thinned right out.

Key Replay: Irish St Leger, September 14 2025, Curragh, Soft Surface

This race was run at a strong speed, setting it up for Al Riffa and he made an absolute mess of them late in the piece. On first look, I wanted to be against this form, but the subsequent form has been strong, with the third horse winning and then placing at Group l level while Queenstown has also placed at Group l level.

Final Summary: The win prior, the form stinks, but last start, the subsequent form has been quite strong. 59kg in a Melbourne Cup…gee it’s going to be an ask. But, Mark Zahra is a gun rider in big races, and Joseph O’Brien is a gun trainer when it comes to travelling horses overseas. He is a definite contender.

2. Buckaroo

Breeding: Fastnet Rock x Roheryn

Trainer: Chris Waller

Jockey: Craig Williams

Weight: 57kg

Barrier: 12

Career Stats: 31: 5-6-6

Min/Max Distance Wins: 1600m/1800m

Career Best Win: Underwood Stakes, September 21 2024, Caulfield, Good Surface

Dry Track Stats: 20: 2-4-5

Wet Track Stats: 11: 3-2-1

Short Summary: Cox Plate form is gold for the first Tuesday in November…but does he stay?

Key Replay: Melbourne Cup, November 5 2024, Flemington, Good Surface

Good race to look at I think. On face value, the run was fair, but when you consider the inside section was red hot, he had to make a sustained run from the back…I think he was enormous in defeat despite staggering the past 200m. The run was absolutely full of merit.

Final Summary: The Cox Plate run was full of merit and it took a gun mare in Via Sistina to beat him. The Cox Plate is usually gold for the Melbourne Cup…I just question whether he runs 3200m. I think he does, on the proviso he draws soft. If he can draw inside and bludge in the run, gee I think he’ll run well.

3. Arapaho

Breeding: Lope De Vega x Alzubra

Trainer: Bjorn Baker

Jockey: Rachel King

Weight: 56.5kg

Barrier: 15

Career Stats: 49: 10-6-4

Min/Max Distance Wins: 1300m/3200m

Career Best Win: Sydney Cup, April 12 2025, Randwick, Good Surface

Dry Track Stats: 21: 2-2-1

Wet Track Stats: 28: 8-4-3

Short Summary: Given none in the Bendigo Cup, has run well in the Cup previously…sneaky top ten chance?

Key Replay: Bendigo Cup, October 29 2025, Bendigo, Good Surface

I know it wasn’t a Grand Final for him, but purely looking at this race for what it was, the ride from Rachel King was a howler. Inside was red hot and despite drawing gate one, she elected to come the widest on the turn to make her run. The horse actually did a really good job.

Bendigo Cup | Sayedaty Sadaty@HTCoffey wins his 3rd Bendigo Cup! 👑 @cmaherracing

📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/bRfGxohWvw

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 29, 2025

Final Summary: Thought he was cast prior to Bendigo…he might still be cast, but he was the sneaky good run in the race and we saw that sneaky good run at Bendigo win the race last year. Could I back him to win? No. But I can see him sneaking into the top ten.

4. Vauban

Breeding: Galiway x Waldfest

Trainer: Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott

Jockey: Blake Shinn

Weight: 56.5kg

Barrier: 2

Career Stats: 29: 9-5-4

Min/Max Distance Wins: 2000m/3382m

Career Best Win: Lonsdale Cup, August 23 2024, York, Good Surface

Dry Track Stats: 15: 3-2-2

Wet Track Stats: 13: 6-3-2

Short Summary: Third time lucky? Me thinks no.

Key Replay: Caulfield Cup, October 18 2025, Caulfield, Good Surface

Adelaide River injected some pretty good tempo into the race and those behind had to chase from a fair way out, Vauban included. To me, he just looked on the wrong leg throughout, didn’t handle Caulfield at all and was on the plain side the final 200m.

Final Summary: Thought he was right on track after an excellent return in the Chelmsford. Luckless in The Metropolitan but the Caulfield Cup run worries me. He has won at 3382m previously but for mine, I don’t think he stay at the top level, and has failed twice previously in the race. Not for me.

5. Chevalier Rose

Breeding: Deep Impact x Viane Rose

Trainer: Hisashi Shimizu

Jockey: Damian Lane

Weight: 55.5kg

Barrier: 5

Career Stats: 35: 5-5-2

Min/Max Distance Wins: 1600m/3600m

Career Best Win: Kyoto Daishaten, October 6 2024, Kyoto, Good Surface

Dry Track Stats: 34: 5-5-2

Wet Track Stats: 1: 0-0-0

Short Summary: He looks the real sleeper provided we don’t get rain, but the forecast, like Kamahl says…why is it so unkind?

Key Replay: Tenno Sho Spring, May 4 2025, Kyoto, Good Surface

Elite two mile race in Japan. He ran seventh, but was a beaten horse on the turn. The ride was interesting. When I say interesting I mean bad. He pushed the button a long way out for some reason and the horse just couldn’t sustain the run, whacking to the line.

Final Summary: D Lane has a great record with the stable/connections in big races, both locally and overseas. It is clear that this horse that needs a rock hard track. With the Melbourne weather, no idea. If he gets conditions to suit, he’s the best each way gamble in the race. If there is rain (most likely) and we get a wet track, I say he’ll struggle.

6. Presage Nocturne

Breeding: Wootton Bassett x Kyurem

Trainer: Alessandro Botti

Jockey: Stephane Pasquier

Weight: 55.5kg

Barrier: 9

Career Stats: 17: 5-5-3

Min/Max Distance Wins: 2500m/3000m

Career Best Win: Prix De Barberville, April 27 2025, Longchamp, Soft Surface

Dry Track Stats: 4: 1-0-1

Wet Track Stats: 13: 4-5-2

Short Summary: Wet track, he becomes top seed for me.

Key Replay: Caulfield Cup, October 18 2025, Caulfield, Good Surface

Had the back of the winner Half Yours in the run but just lacked the turn of foot of the winner. He ran through the pain barrier though and kept finding the line in a really good effort in defeat for a horse that was first up, several months between runs.

Final Summary: I think he’s the one from the Caulfield Cup. He wasn’t ready from a mounting yard perspective, trip short of his best and on a dry-ish track. He’s okay on a dry track, but on wet ground, he’ll absolutely thrive and run all day. If the rain comes, I’ll be keen to back each way.

7. Middle Earth

Breeding: Roaring Lion x Roheryn

Trainer: Ciaron Maher

Jockey: Ethan Brown

Weight: 54.5kg

Barrier: 13

Career Stats: 17: 5-2-2

Min/Max Distance Wins: 2000m/2816m

Career Best Win: 3YO Handicap, August 26 2023, York, Soft Surface

Dry Track Stats: 13: 4-2-2

Wet Track Stats: 4: 1-0-0

Short Summary: All time training effort if he can get this horse to fire. He has looked horrendous.

Key Replay: Caulfield Cup, October 18 2025, Caulfield, Good Surface

He is known to be badly away from the gates but he actually jumped alright here and got a suck run in transit. Held up on the turn but did get clear and just whacked in the run to the line, looking very one paced, with jockey Mark Zahra saying as much post race that the horse didn’t do a great deal.

Final Summary: Blinkers went on at Moonee Valley and he ran okay, but that race was terrible. I actually think he’s a 1600m/2000m max in time. He looks like he has a lethal turn of foot in slowly run races but when the distances increase, he lacks stamina to my eye. Goes through to the keeper.

8. Meydaan

Breeding: Frankel x Newzaah

Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford

Jockey: James McDonald

Weight: 54kg

Barrier: 22

Career Stats: 14: 2-2-2

Min/Max Distance Wins: 2011m/2212m

Career Best Win: Cocked Hat Stakes, May 25 2024, Goodwood, Good Surface

Dry Track Stats: 12: 2-1-2

Wet Track Stats: 2: 0-1-0

Short Summary: Gets the best rider in the world off a total forgive run.

Key Replay: Caulfield Cup, October 18 2025, Caulfield, Good Surface

Good luck to Andrea Atzeni, capable rider, proven on the world stage etc…but this was a slaughter. Three wide the trip from barrier five…just not sure how it’s possible. But the horse had the hide to keep finding the line after looking completely done on the turn.

Final Summary: I am fairly certain J Mac will ride a better race on this guy vs Atzeni. He brings very strong form lines from the UK and does give the impression of being fine at 3200m. How much did the Caulfield Cup take out of him? Not sure, but I am not dismissing him.

9. Absurde

Breeding: Fastnet Rock x Incroyable

Trainer: Willie Mullins

Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy

Weight: 53.5kg

Barrier: 4

Career Stats: 28: 7-7-5

Min/Max Distance Wins: 2000m/4023m

Career Best Win: Ebor Handicap, August 26 2023, York, Good Surface

Dry Track Stats: 20: 5-7-4

Wet Track Stats: 8: 2-0-1

Short Summary: Somewhat unlucky in the Caulfield Cup, and has a sense of timing.

Key Replay: Caulfield Cup, October 18 2025, Caulfield, Good Surface

Had a good run in transit and was making his move with the eventual winner Half Yours but he didn’t quite get the clearest of paths in the straight to build the revs and I am not sure he was 100% happy around Caulfield. Definite pass mark.

Final Summary: Normally I pen horses who have previously failed in the race. Would a win shock with this guy? No, and he will be included in all exotic plays because he will stay all day and handles wet ground. I do have a couple of others ahead but he’s in the mix.

10. Flatten The Curve

Breeding: Zarak x Lailoma

Trainer: Henk Grewe

Jockey: Thore-Hammer Hansen

Weight: 53.5kg

Barrier: 17

Career Stats: 41: 8-9-4

Min/Max Distance Wins: 2400m/3700m

Career Best Win: Bowling Green Gold Cup, August 30 2025, Kentucky Downs, Firm Surface

Dry Track Stats: 19: 4-5-1

Wet Track Stats: 22: 4-4-3

Short Summary: He’ll stay. But not sure he’ll stay fast enough and not sure he has the class/quality.

Key Replay: Bowling Green Gold Cup, August 30 2025, Kentucky Downs, Firm Surface

He made a mess of them…what was them? Not much. Runner up is okay, but the rest, you wouldn’t back to win at Caulfield over 2400m in July. They were camels. He was very much flattered by the win, even though to the eye he was quite impressive.

Final Summary: Hard to knock his numerical form in 2025. He has really come on the last 6-12 months. But I just don’t think there is enough substance in his form to say he’s going to threaten. If he wins, too good, but he goes through to the keeper for me.

11. Land Legend

Breeding: Galileo x Landikusic

Trainer: Chris Waller

Jockey: Joao Moreira

Weight: 53.5kg

Barrier: 16

Career Stats: 22: 3-2-2

Min/Max Distance Wins: 2050m/2600m

Career Best Win: The Metropolitan, October 5 2024, Randwick, Good Surface

Dry Track Stats: 18: 3-2-0

Wet Track Stats: 4: 0-0-2

Short Summary: Thought he was ticking along nicely but the last two runs are worrying.

Key Replay: Caulfield Cup, October 18 2025, Caulfield, Good Surface

He was wide throughout so he had that excuse but even allowing for that, gee he looked awful late, with his action looking horrendous the last 200m.

Final Summary: Start of the prep, I thought he was a serious contender for the Melbourne Cup. But he did nothing in the Turnbull and was worse in the Caulfield Cup. Waller will need to weave some all time magic to get this horse to bounce back.

12. Smokin Romans

Breeding: Ghibellines x Inferno

Trainer: Ciaron Maher

Jockey: Ben Melham

Weight: 53.5kg

Barrier: 11

Career Stats: 53: 11-9-3

Min/Max Distance Wins: 1500m/2600m

Career Best Win: Turnbull Stakes, October 1 2022, Flemington, Good Surface

Dry Track Stats: 32: 7-2-3

Wet Track Stats: 16: 4-7-0

Short Summary: Good chance the ambulance may beat him home.

Key Replay: Moonee Valley Cup, October 24 2025, Moonee Valley, Good Surface

He was kept quite safe in betting here. He had a suck run in behind the speed and while he did get held up on the turn when wanting to build the revs, once clear, he just plodded to the line and continued what has been a disappointing prep vs previous preparations.

Final Summary: Was kept safe in betting in this race in 2022 and was okay. He hasn’t really captured that sort of form since and his efforts this time in suggest he’s nowhere near the level required to figure in the finish. He is one I am more than happy to pen.

13. Changingoftheguard

Breeding: Galileo x Lady Lara

Trainer: Kris Lees

Jockey: Tim Clark

Weight: 53g

Barrier: 24

Career Stats: 17: 4-3-2

Min/Max Distance Wins: 2149m/2472m

Career Best Win: King Edward Vll, June 17 2022, Royal Ascot, Good Surface

Dry Track Stats: 10: 3-2-1

Wet Track Stats: 7: 1-1-1

Short Summary: Not going well enough to trouble these.

Key Replay: Geelong Cup, October 23 2025, Geelong, Soft Surface

Seemingly had a decent run on speed and thought he had his chance but when asked for the effort, he went backwards and was quite one paced in the run to the line, being a beaten horse at the top of the straight.

Final Summary: Rough outside top ten chance at his best and while he was luckless in The Metropolitan, he was poor at Geelong and while he’ll be on speed, he won’t be beating many home.

14. Half Yours

Breeding: St Jean x La Gazelle

Trainer: Tony & Calvin McEvoy

Jockey: Jamie Melham

Weight: 53kg

Barrier: 8

Career Stats: 14: 7-3-0

Min/Max Distance Wins: 1430m/2400m

Career Best Win: Caulfield Cup, October 18 2025, Caulfield, Good Surface

Dry Track Stats: 8: 3-2-0

Wet Track Stats: 6: 4-1-0

Short Summary: He’s been in work, essentially, since the start of the year. Can the stable hold him together for one more Grand Final?

Key Replay: Caulfield Cup, October 18 2025, Caulfield, Good Surface

He had the right barrier to use but needed a good ride and J Melham gave it. Got clear air at the right time, allowed him to build the revs and finished best, albeit in a blanket finish, to get the job done. The race didn’t exactly rate through the roof but it’s always been the best form reference for the first Tuesday in November.

Final Summary: I want to pen him because he has been in work forever and I reckon there was just a couple of signs at Caulfield that perhaps he might want the paddock. But when the horse is racing as well as he is, connections have to give the horse his chance. Great narrative if he wins, and of course he can win. But I won’t be backing him to win. He will go in exotics.

15. More Felons

Breeding: Churchill x Pivotalia

Trainer: Chris Waller

Jockey: Tommy Berry

Weight: 53g

Barrier: 23

Career Stats: 21: 5-3-0

Min/Max Distance Wins: 1609m/3381m

Career Best Win: Parramatta Cup, February 24 2024, Rosehill, Soft Surface

Dry Track Stats: 14: 3-1-0

Wet Track Stats: 7: 2-2-0

Short Summary: Could be a sneaky top ten prospect at a price.

Key Replay: ATC St Leger, October 18 2025, Randwick, Good Surface

To the eye, disappointing. But, they did walk in front and the sit/sprint set up just wasn’t to his liking at all. He stayed on well enough and had his chance in a pretty even race, but the race shape didn’t suit him at all so I’d be somewhat forgiving.

Final Summary: I think two miles will suit him ideally and rain won’t hurt his cause. I don’t think he’s good enough to win but I can see him running top ten because his run in The Metropolitan was a beauty.

16. Onesmoothoperator

Breeding: Dialed In x Sueno D’Oro

Trainer: Brian Ellison

Jockey: Harry Coffey

Weight: 53g

Barrier: 6

Career Stats: 46: 6-11-6

Min/Max Distance Wins: 2050m/3319m

Career Best Win: Moonee Valley Gold Cup, October 24 2025, Moonee Valley, Good Surface

Dry Track Stats: 43: 6-10-6

Wet Track Stats: 3: 0-1-0

Short Summary: Dry track, he’s nearly top seed. Wet track, I treat him as a scratching.

Key Replay: Moonee Valley Cup, October 24 2025, Moonee Valley, Good Surface

This had a lot of arrogance this win. Yes, it wasn’t the deepest race on paper in terms of quality, but it was the manner in which he won. Sat last, got clear air on the turn, had momentum and the last 50-75m, Zahra isn’t going at him too hard to the line he had that much on them. Very sharp effort.

Final Summary: Prince Of Arran 2.0 this guy. Just a fair horse in the UK but when in Australia, he is just a different/better horse. The Moonee Valley Gold Cup win was brilliant and on a dry track, he’d be a clear top pick for me. But with the rain forecast, I think you have to pen him because he just doesn’t go a yard on wet ground, and that’s not just me, that is connections saying that as well.

17. Further

Breeding: Waldgeist x Danamight

Trainer: Andrew Balding

Jockey: Mick Dee

Weight: 52g

Barrier: 7

Career Stats: 8: 2-2-0

Min/Max Distance Wins: 2212m/2715m

Career Best Win: Geoffrey Freer, August 16 2025, Newbury, Good Surface

Dry Track Stats: 5: 2-1-0

Wet Track Stats: 3: 0-1-0

Short Summary: He looks a working progress for 6-12 months time, maybe more.

Key Replay: St Leger, September 13 2025, Doncaster, Soft Surface

Thrown in the deep end here in the Classic and was just outclassed. When the sprint went on, he couldn’t go with them and just whacked in the run to the line. The winner could be a rocket. But, I don’t think it was the deepest edition of the St Leger in recent memory.

Final Summary: He’s a nice horse I think, for the future. Not sure he is good enough to take out the big one here though and from what I’ve seen in replays, he looks a horse that needs more time to fill out his frame. Not for me here.

18. Parchment Party

Breeding: Constitution x Life Well Lived

Trainer: William Mott

Jockey: Johnny Velazquez

Weight: 52g

Barrier: 3

Career Stats: 11: 4-1-1

Min/Max Distance Wins: 1710m/2816m

Career Best Win: Belmont Gold Cup, June 6 2025, Belmont Park, Heavy Surface Surface

Dry Track Stats: 10: 3-1-1

Wet Track Stats: 1: 1-0-0

Short Summary: Great narrative that an American horse is here…but he’s got none IMO.

Key Replay: The Birdstone, August 6 2025, Saratoga, Firm (Dirt) Surface

No point looking at the Belmont Cup, because it was a nothing race. This is the last start win of this guy. Visually, it looked awful because he looked gone on the turn but went back inside and finished best in an absolute slog. The beaten runners, they have raced five times collectively, no wins, for a combined beaten margin of around 100 lengths! He beat absolute donkeys.

Final Summary: As I said, great narrative that he’s here being an American h0rse. He will chip away and stay…but if he’s winning the Melbourne Cup, the race is in big trouble. Got no chance IMO.

19. Athabascan

Breeding: Almanzor x Alzubra

Trainer: John O’Shea/Tom Charlton

Jockey: Declan Bates

Weight: 51.5g

Barrier: 1

Career Stats: 39: 4-6-4

Min/Max Distance Wins: 2000m/2600m

Career Best Win: ATC Leger, October 19 2024, Randwick, Good Surface

Dry Track Stats: 21: 1-4-0

Wet Track Stats: 18: 3-5-4

Short Summary: Wet track helps his cause but I think he needs more than that to figure in the finish.

Key Replay: Moonee Valley Cup, October 24 2025, Moonee Valley, Good Surface

Had the right run in transit here and tracked up looming to be the winner but on his back was the eventual winner and he clearly had no answers for the finale of Onesmoothoperator. Margin was only three quarters but it felt like more given how impressive the winner was.

Final Summary: I think he does race best on wet ground and did show signs of life at Moonee Valley last start. But I think overall, he’s not going well enough to threaten.

20. Goodie Two Shoes

Breeding: Fastnet Rock x Fits Like A Glove

Trainer: Joseph O’Brien

Jockey: Wayne Lordan

Weight: 51.5g

Barrier: 20

Career Stats: 18: 7-0-5

Min/Max Distance Wins: 1811m/3419m

Career Best Win: Stanerra Stakes, July 9 2025, Fairyhouse, Good Surface

Dry Track Stats: 7: 5-0-1

Wet Track Stats: 11: 2-0-4

Short Summary: Clearly #2 seed of the O’Brien horses. Not sure she has enough substance in her form.

Key Replay: Lillie Langtry, August 2 2025, Goodwood, Soft Surface

Had the right run in transit to my eye and was there to threaten but when asked for the big effort, she was very one paced and just whacked to the line, confirming her overall stats that she may prefer dry vs wet ground. Subsequent form out of this race hasn’t been too strong re depth/quality.

Final Summary: Needs a dry track to be any sort of chance, even then I’d have her at top ten. But if the rain comes, I say she is going to struggle, though I will say, that even on wet ground, she won’t know herself with 51.5kg on her back.

21. River Of Stars

Breeding: Sea The Stars x Amazone

Trainer: Chris Waller

Jockey: Beau Mertens

Weight: 51.5g

Barrier: 14

Career Stats: 21: 4-6-4

Min/Max Distance Wins: 2414m/2896m

Career Best Win: Bronte Cup, May 27 2023, York, Good Surface

Dry Track Stats: 11: 4-1-3

Wet Track Stats: 10: 0-5-1

Short Summary: Looked cast but she was very good in the Caulfield Cup. In the mix to an extent.

Key Replay: Caulfield Cup, October 18 2025, Caulfield, Good Surface

Had a suck run nearer the inside and bludged in the run, getting out in the straight and looming but had no answer for the finale of Half Yours. She was nearer the inside lanes, which was clearly inferior ground for the meeting, so she gets a tick in that regard.

Final Summary: Does one run cancel the rest of the prep, which was pretty poor. Yes, very good in the Caulfield Cup, down in the weights, think 3200m is okay for her…just can’t see her winning. Another that is a top ten contender, a rough place chance.

22. Royal Supremacy

Breeding: Make Believe x Adelasia

Trainer: Ciaron Maher

Jockey: Robbie Dolan

Weight: 51g

Barrier: 21

Career Stats: 14: 5-3-2

Min/Max Distance Wins: 1408m/2400m

Career Best Win: The Metropolitan, October 4 2025, Ramdwick, Good Surface

Dry Track Stats: 7: 3-2-1

Wet Track Stats: 7: 2-1-1

Short Summary: He’s got an engine this horse. Just needs to harness his energy.

Key Replay: Caulfield Cup, October 18 2025, Caulfield, Good Surface

Much like The Metropolitan win, he pulled quite hard in the run and left himself a task re a finale, and while he was held on the line, he actually had the hide to keep fighting in a good effort in defeat.

Final Summary: If you knew he was going to relax in the run, you’d back him with confidence. I think he has got the ability to win the race but unless you’re a freak, you can’t pull over 3200m and expect to win.

23. Torranzino

Breeding: Tarzino x Goldilicious

Trainer: Paul Preusker

Jockey: Celine Gaudray

Weight: 51g

Barrier: 18

Career Stats: 33: 6-7-2

Min/Max Distance Wins: 1500m/2400m

Career Best Win: Geelong Cup, October 23 2025, Geelong, Soft Surface

Dry Track Stats: 19: 3-4-1

Wet Track Stats: 14: 3-4-1

Short Summary: He’s going to be my each way bet in the race and my best result. He’s absolutely flying.

Key Replay: Geelong Cup, October 23 2025, Geelong, Soft Surface

Admittedly he got the A1 run in transit but just loved the way he put them away when asked and was just strong to the line, with the run of the Bart Cummings prior really toughening him up. Impressive performance, confirming how well he is going.

Final Summary: I think a wet track is what he needs because he lacks the brilliance of others, but even on a dry track, I think he’ll measure up. Incredible effort in the Bart Cummings and I think was arrogant in the Geelong Cup. Right down in the weights, he’ll be strong late, he likes Flemington…I think he’ll run an absolute beauty.

24. Valiant King

Breeding: Roaring Lion x Assembly

Trainer: Chris Waller

Jockey: Jye McNeil

Weight: 51g

Barrier: 10

Career Stats: 19: 2-3-3

Min/Max Distance Wins: 2011m/2520m

Career Best Win: Bart Cummings, October 4 2025, Flemington, Good Surface

Dry Track Stats: 12: 1-1-2

Wet Track Stats: 7: 1-2-1

Short Summary: If the rain does arrive, he is very dangerous. Even on dry ground, he’s a winning chance.

Key Replay: Caulfield Cup, October 18 2025, Caulfield, Good Surface

Can make a case he should have been right in the finish. Looked like he was full of running but just couldn’t quite get a chance to build the revs as compared to when he won the Bart Cummings at Flemington. Ripping run, making it two on the bounce.

Final Summary: Prior to the Bart Cummings, he did set looked like a hurdler. But now, he’s a legitimate contender for the Melbourne Cup. Hard run Bart Cummings he loved, was somewhat luckless in the Caulfield Cup…the rider, albeit a previous winner of the Cup, absolutely scares me, but even with that, this horse has to be seriously respected.

 

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