If you were looking at this Saturday’s Flemington Derby day card and started wondering where the historically known Hotham Handicap was, you best be known that it has already been and gone.
For the first time in 2025, the now-known Lexus Archer Stakes ran on Saturday, September 13, as an early lead-up into the Melbourne Cup, with the race won by the Robert Hickmott-trained favourite Revelare.
The Hotham was traditionally known as the last golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup, ran on the Saturday prior to the big race, with a ballot exemption granted to the winner.
Despite the three-day backup into the Cup, the Hotham has produced several horses that have completed the Hotham Handicap–Melbourne Cup double.
MORE: Chris Waller set to dominate the Melbourne Cup field yet again
These include, most recently, Shocking (2009) and Brew (2000), Think Big (1974), Baystone (1958), Foxzami (1949), Sirius (1944), Dark Felt (1943), White Nose (1931), King Ingoda (1922), and Nimblefoot (1870).
With the Hotham being shifted back to September to the Makybe Diva Stakes Day, the Geelong Cup—ran on October 23rd—has become the last ticket into the Cup, with Torranzino taking out the honours.
The Geelong Cup has also long been a proven catalyst to Melbourne Cup success, with past winners such as Americain and Dunaden going on to complete the double.