Who is going to win this year's Melbourne Cup? It's the $10 million question.
The eyes of Australia will be glued on Flemington come 3 pm, with punters hoping their selection is first across the line after two gruelling miles.
As the Melbourne Cup has evolved into a truly global contest, horses from around the world have been aimed at the race, meaning there are all sorts of formlines to take into account.
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- What grey horses are in this year's race?
Who is going to win the Melbourne Cup? Tips and analysis
6. Presage Nocturne
Weight/Barrier: 55.5kg/9
This Frenchman just ticks a lot of boxes - nice barrier, will appreciate a softer track and his run last time out in the Caulfield Cup was full of merit, coming from way back to finish fourth, looking like he had plenty of gas in the tank. Jockey Stephane Pasquier looked comfortable aboard him at Caulfield. Plus he's a grey on a wet track.
8. Meydaan
Weight/Barrier: 54kg/22
While the ninth in the Caulfield Cup doesn't look great on paper, there was enough there to suggest that this English-trained four-year-old could be a factor here. He's a son of Frankel which is a massive tick and James McDonald in the saddle should be able to work some magic and find some cover, unlike the ride he got at Caulfield.
24. Valiant King
Weight/Barrier: 51kg/10
There's definitely a theme here with horses that caught our eye in the Caulfield Cup but it remains one of best guides for the Melbourne Cup there is. He finished 13th in this race last year but he's going much better this time around. Jye McNeil gave him a brilliant ride at Caulfield for third and he's on him again today. If he stays the two miles this time, he'll be mighty close.
Melbourne Cup 2025 final field, barriers and betting odds
| Runner (Barrier) | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 1. Al Riffa (19) | Mark Zahra | Joseph O'Brien | $5.50 |
| 2. Buckaroo (12) | Craig Williams | Chris Waller | $11 |
| 3. Arapaho (15) | Rachel King | Bjorn Baker | $41 |
| 4. Vauban (2) | Blake Shinn | G Waterhouse & A Bott | $23 |
| 5. Chevalier Rose (5) | Damian Lane | Hisashi Shimizu | $51 |
| 6. Presage Nocturne (9) | Stephane Pasquier | Alessandro Botti | $9 |
| 7. Middle Earth (13) | Ethan Brown | Ciaron Maher | $41 |
| 8. Meydaan (22) | James McDonald | Simon & E Crisford | $21 |
| 9. Absurde (4) | Kerrin McEvoy | Willie Mullins | $16 |
| 10. Flatten The Curve (17) | Thore Hammer Hansen | Henk Grewe | $21 |
| 11. Land Legend (16) | Joao Moreira | Chris Waller | $61 |
| 12. Smokin' Romans (11) | Ben Melham | Ciaron Maher | $61 |
| 13. Changingoftheguard (24) | Tim Clark | Kris Lees | $61 |
| 14. Half Yours (8) | Jamie Melham | Tony & C McEvoy | $7.50 |
| 15. More Felons (23) | Tommy Berry | Chris Waller | $51 |
| 16. Onesmoothoperator (6) | Harry Coffey | Brian Ellison | $34 4 |
| 17. Further (7) | Michael Dee | Andrew Balding | $41 |
| 18. Parchment Party (3) | John Velazquez | William Mott | $51 |
| 19. Athabascan (1) | Declan Bates | J O'Shea & T Charlton | $61 |
| 20. Goodie Two Shoes (20) | Wayne Lordan | Joseph O'Brien | $31 1 |
| 21. River Of Stars (14) | Beau Mertens | Chris Waller | $16 |
| 22. Royal Supremacy (21) | Robbie Dolan | Ciaron Maher | $26 |
| 23. Torranzino (18) | Celine Gaudray | Paul Preusker | $34 |
| 24. Valiant King (10) | Jye McNeil | Chris Waller | $11 |