The 24 runners in this year's Lexus Melbourne Cup

After ten golden tickets, countless grass gallops, and months of precise preparation, the 24 contenders are ready to chase glory.

Racing And Sport’s expert form analyst, Trent Crebbin, examines every runner in the 165th Lexus Melbourne Cup.

Who will rise to the occasion on the first Tuesday in November?

1 - Al Riffa (FR)

6yo Horse

Weight: 59kg

Barrier: 19

Racing & Sports Rating - 125

Jockey: Mark Zahra

Trainer: Joseph O’Brien

Highly credentialed, three-time Group 1 winning Irish raider who comes here off a dominant win in the Irish St Leger Stakes over 2816m. Has form around some of the world’s best stayers of the past few years and isn’t lacking for speed having won a Group 1 at 1408m as a two-year-old. Up there with some of the highest rated international runners to come for the Cup but is weighted accordingly as only one horse (Makybe Diva) has won the race with 58kg or more this century, with fifteen others trying.

2 - Buckaroo (GB)

7yo Gelding

Weight: 57kg

Barrier: 12

Racing & Sports Rating - 125

Jockey: Craig Williams

Trainer: Chris Waller

Buckaroo returns for a second tilt at the Lexus Melbourne Cup, in arguably even better form than last year which saw him cover a lot of ground after drawing wide and settling near last as $6 favourite. Whilst he hasn’t won this preparation, he tested Via Sistina all the way in the Cox Plate, which has provided six Lexus Melbourne Cup winners this century well above market expectation. Still needs to tick the 3200m box but draws much better this year and has the class to win.

3 - Arapaho (FR)

9yo Gelding

Weight: 56.5kg

Barrier: 15

Racing & Sports Rating - 119

Jockey: Rachel King

Trainer: Bjorn Baker

The Sydney Cup winner from this year returns for his second Lexus Melbourne Cup having finished midfield in 2022 behind Gold Trip. He’d been building nicely in three runs to start his Cup campaign before disappointing efforts in The Metropolitan and Bendigo Cup, albeit the latter with 61kg. His dominant Sydney Cup performance has him in the mix, but he carries half a kilogram more here in a stronger race while not going as well leading in.

4 - Vauban (FR)

8yo Gelding

Weight: 56.5kg

Barrier: 2

Racing & Sports Rating - 120

Jockey: Blake Shinn

Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott

Back for a third straight Lexus Melbourne Cup, Vauban is now with Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott having tackled the past two editions for legendary Irish trainer Willie Mullins. Well beaten as favourite in 2023, he finished 11th last year as an $8 chance before permanently relocating to Australia. Good when an unlucky fifth in The Metropolitan two starts back, he disappointed in the Caulfield Cup last time out and there is some query on him staying 3200m strongly. 

5 - Chevalier Rose (JPN)

8yo Horse

Weight: 55.5kg

Barrier: 5

Racing & Sports Rating - 119

Jockey: Damian Lane

Trainer: Hisashi Shimizu

Japanese raider attempting to emulate compatriot Delta Blues who won the Cup in 2006. A dual Group 2 winner over 2600m and 3600m this time last year, he’s been well below his best in four runs in 2025. His best finishing position this year was seventh in the Group 1 Tenno Sho which is a very strong race, however he was still beaten ten lengths. Gets a top jockey and a good draw but would prefer a dry track and needs to recapture his best.

6 - Presage Nocturne (IRE)

6yo Horse

Weight: 55.5kg

Barrier: 9

Racing & Sports Rating - 118

Jockey: Stephane Pasquier

Trainer: Alessandro Botti

French trained raider who has really come of age in the past year, winning a Group 3 at Longchamp over 3000m before closing nicely for third in the Group 1 Prix Victomtesse Vigier (3100m) which is the race 2010 Cup winner Americain won the year prior to coming to Flemington success. His run in the Caulfield Cup was an excellent trial, running on strongly for fourth. Should be even better suited over 3200m and any rain around will also be in his favour.

7 - Middle Earth (GB)

6yo Gelding

Weight: 54.5kg

Barrier: 13

Racing & Sports Rating - 115

Jockey: Ethan Brown

Trainer: Ciaron Maher

Initially touted as a Lexus Melbourne Cup chance last year when purchased by Ciaron Maher racing, Middle Earth was instead given time to acclimatise and target this year. A Group 3 winner in England, he’s been given a slow build up this Spring, sent out a $15 chance in the Caulfield Cup but struggled before a sound effort in the JRA Plate at Moonee Valley. He won’t be lacking for fitness and the talent is there, but he needs to elevate. 

8 - Meydaan (IRE)

6yo Gelding

Weight: 54kg

Barrier: 22

Racing & Sports Rating - 120

Jockey: James McDonald

Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford

Trained by the Crisford’s who brought 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup winner Without A Fight to Australia the year prior, Meydaan has slowly started to deliver on some early promise. Third in the Group 3 September Stakes behind two world-class Group 1 winners in Giavellotto and Kalpana, he endured a wide run in the Caulfield Cup, losing his spot before coming again late on the line. That suggested the 3200m at Flemington would be suitable, and James McDonald taking the ride is a huge positive.

9 - Absurde (FR)

8yo Gelding

Weight: 53.5kg

Barrier: 4

Racing & Sports Rating - 116

Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy

Trainer: Willie Mullins

Willie Mullins once again brings Absurde to Flemington for the third year running, having finished seventh in 2023 and fifth last year, beaten under two lengths by Knight’s Choice. This time, the master trainer has decided to give Absurde a local lead up, finding the line well for seventh in the Caulfield Cup, beaten just over three lengths. Up to 3200m suits and he draws ideally but he likely still needs a career best to win a Lexus Melbourne Cup. 

10 - Flatten The Curve (FR)

7yo Gelding

Weight: 53.5kg

Barrier: 17

Racing & Sports Rating - 114

Jockey: Thore Hammer-Hansen

Trainer: Henk Grewe

German trained gelding who began his career in France and only managing two wins from 34 starts before switching to the care of Henk Grewe who has turned his career around, winning six of his next seven. A Group 2 winner at Hoppegarten in Germany in May, the stoutly bred stayer was a dominant winner of the Belmont Gold Cup in Kentucky when last seen, taking up the accompanying Flemington invitation. Handles all ground and will have no issue with the trip, but this will be harder.

11 - Land Legend (FR)

6yo Gelding

Weight: 53.5kg

Barrier: 16

Racing & Sports Rating - 115

Jockey: Joao Moreira

Trainer: Chris Waller

Land Legend returns for a second Lexus Melbourne Cup having been well fancied last year off a win in The Metropolitan and a Caulfield Cup placing, finishing a game eighth after racing keenly, which he has a habit of doing. His first two runs over shorter trips this preparation suggested he was right on track, but he’s failed to beat a runner home in the Turnbull Stakes and Caulfield Cup at his past two outings, beaten nearly 19 lengths last time. 

12 - Smokin’ Romans (NZ)

9yo Gelding

Weight: 53.5kg

Barrier: 11

Racing & Sports Rating - 115

Jockey: Ben Melham

Trainer: Ciaron Maher

Tough, on pacer who ran a commendable seventh in the Lexus Melbourne Cup of 2022, won by stablemate Gold Trip. Rarely far away, he’s certainly had the grounding for 3200m with five runs this preparation, sent out a narrow second favourite in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup last start, fading to finish eighth after riding a strong tempo. In the twilight of his career, it’s hard to forecast him finding a personal best to threaten.

13 - Changingoftheguard (IRE)

7yo Gelding

Weight: 53kg

Barrier: 24

Racing & Sports Rating - 118

Jockey: Ethan Brown

Trainer: Kris Lees

Former Irish stayer for Aidan O’Brien who was a Group 2 winner as a three-year-old at Ascot in 2022. He’s had issues with just eight runs in Australia over nearly three years, notching up his first win here three starts back at Listed level at Randwick when leading by a big margin under 59kg. His last start run in the Geelong Cup was just fair when fading to finish sixth but he does drop 7kg off that and gets a good jockey up.

14 - Half Yours

5yo Gelding

Weight: 53kg

Barrier: 8

Racing & Sports Rating - 120

Jockey: Jamie Melham

Trainer: Tony & Calvin McEvoy

Aiming to become the 13th Caulfield Cup/Lexus Melbourne Cup double winner having justified the short quote last time out under a cool Jamie Melham ride. Still lightly raced, his best two performances have come when he’s gotten to a staying trip so there could still be more to offer. He was well weighted in the Caulfield Cup which the 2kg penalty he received alleviates, but he has to be given a serious hope of emulating the likes of Without A Fight, especially from a good draw.

15 - More Felons (IRE)

7yo Gelding

Weight: 53kg

Barrier: 23

Racing & Sports Rating - 115

Jockey: Tommy Berry

Trainer: Chris Waller

Former hurdler in Europe who came to Australia in 2023, finishing 12th to Without A Fight in the Cup that year. He hasn’t had many runs since then due to a tendon injury, resuming off nearly 18 months in August. Four runs this time in have been sound, excellent coming from last to finish fourth with 55kg in The Metropolitan two back, unsuited by a slow speed last time in the ATC St Leger. Fitter again but this is much stronger. 

16 - Onesmoothoperator (USA)

8yo Gelding

Weight: 53kg

Barrier: 6

Racing & Sports Rating - 114

Jockey: Harry Coffey

Trainer: Brian Ellison

Last year’s Geelong Cup winner who was heavily supported to then win the Cup, starting second favourite behind Buckaroo, set too great a task when getting well back in the field and finishing midfield. This year, he won the Moonee Valley Gold Cup in a performance as good, if not marginally better than his lead-up run last year when running on strongly from back in the field. Seems to thrive in Australia and should be improving on last year’s position from an ideal barrier.

17 - Furthur (IRE)

4yo Horse

Weight: 52kg

Barrier: 7

Racing & Sports Rating - 116

Jockey: Michael Dee

Trainer: Andrew Balding

Furthur is aiming to emulate Rekindling and Cross Counter as northern hemisphere three-year-olds to win the Lexus Melbourne Cup who won the race in 2017 and 2018 respectively. Whilst not as highly touted as those, Further is a progressive colt who was a dominant Group 3 winner at Newbury two starts ago before an even effort when sixth in the Group 1 St Leger at Doncaster behind Scandinavia. Will need a career best, but that certainly wouldn’t surprise.

18 - Parchment Party (USA)

5yo Horse

Weight: 52kg

Barrier: 3

Racing & Sports Rating - 114

Jockey: John Velazquez

Trainer: William Mott

Parchment Party will make history as the first American trained horse to run in the Lexus Melbourne Cup, prepared by legendary 91-time Group 1 winning trainer William Mott, who has won races such as the Kentucky Derby and Breeder’s Cup Classic. Parchment Party has won his past two starts impressively, one at Group 3 level, but both were on the dirt at Saratoga. He was well beaten at his only two attempts on turf earlier this year which is a huge query.

19 - Athabascan (FR)

7yo Gelding

Weight: 51.5kg

Barrier: 1

Racing & Sports Rating - 112

Jockey: Declan Bates

Trainer: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton

Handy stayer lining up for his first Lexus Melbourne Cup having run a much-improved race last start in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup when second to Onesmoothoperator after beating a total of eight horses home in three runs prior. He is proven at 3200m having run second and fifth in the past two Sydney Cups over the trip and gets in light at the weights, but will need to improve again to be featuring.

20 - Goodie Two Shoes (IRE)

7yo Mare

Weight: 51.5kg

Barrier: 20

Racing & Sports Rating - 108

Jockey: Wayne Lordan

Trainer: Joseph O’Brien

Fascinating prospect for Joseph O’Brien who also saddles up topweight Al Riffa. Goodie Two Shoes is a former jumper who has raced not over just hurdles, but also fences as a chaser over 4000m and beyond. Since switching back to the flat earlier this year, she’s been going very well, winning three of five including a Group 3 in Ireland over Drawn To Dream, who was a distant third to Al Riffa next time out. Stamina no issue, class might be. 

21 - River Of Stars (IRE)

7yo Mare

Weight: 51.5kg

Barrier: 14

Racing & Sports Rating - 118

Jockey: Beau Mertens

Trainer: Chris Waller

Tough staying mare who was a Group 3 winner and Group 1 placed in Europe before being purchased by Yu Long Investments, now trained by Chris Waller. She improved quickly second time of asking in Australia when a brave third in the Sydney Cup and was excellent getting out to 2400m in the Caulfield Cup last time at big odds, beaten half a length into second. She meets Half Yours 2.5kg better at the weights, handles all ground and will relish two miles at Flemington. 

22 - Royal Supremacy (IRE)

5yo Gelding

Weight: 51kg

Barrier: 21

Racing & Sports Rating - 114

Jockey: Robbie Dolan

Trainer: Ciaron Maher

Relatively lightly raced former import who had been tested in some strong races in England prior to coming to Australia, bought by the same ownership group that won the Cup with Protectionist and Gold Trip. Ciaron Maher, who also trained Gold Trip, has kept this horse in work over the Winter, culminating in a good win in The Metropolitan two starts back. He worked home well for fifth in the Caulfield Cup and looks a genuine lightweight hope again.

23 - Torranzino (NZ)

6yo Gelding

Weight: 51kg

Barrier: 18

Racing & Sports Rating - 112

Jockey: Celine Gaudray

Trainer: Paul Preusker

This would be the fairytale result for New Zealand bred gelding Torranzino, who has been slowly improving with time and comes into this in career best form. He sat just off a brutal tempo in the Bart Cummings here two back when second to Valiant King who had last crack, proving that was no fluke with a tough win in the Geelong Cup last start. He’ll be very fit for those runs and drops 5kg with no penalty given for his last start.

24 - Valiant King (GB)

6yo Gelding

Weight: 51kg

Barrier: 10

Racing & Sports Rating - 116

Jockey: Jye McNeil

Trainer: Chris Waller

Valiant King returns to the Lexus Melbourne Cup having run midfield as a $91 chance last year which was just his fourth run for Chris Waller, who has now had a full year to prepare him. He relished a genuine tempo when bolting in the Bart Cummings and was outstanding for third in the Caulfield Cup after settling last from a wide gate. Those two efforts should have him primed for 3200m and a better draw can have him settle closer for his grand final.