Melbourne Cup 2025: The Rising Hopes, the Fairytales, and the Fierce Contenders
It’s that time of year again — the countdown to the Melbourne Cup, the race that truly stops a nation. With the final field of 24 horses about to be confirmed, the excitement, analysis, and speculation are hitting full stride. And this year’s line-up is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable yet, featuring a mix of fairytale hopefuls, international stars, and a few that have left even the experts scratching their heads.
Among the frontrunners is Al Riffa , a seasoned UK and Irish performer who comes into the Cup with a strong record and the formidable Mark Zahra in the saddle — the jockey who’s already tasted Cup glory twice in recent years. But despite his impeccable form, the weight of history looms large; heavily weighted imports rarely win first-up in Australia. Still, Al Riffa is tipped to be right in the mix for a top-five finish.
Close behind is Buckaroo , the Chris Waller-trained gelding who turned heads with a brilliant second-place finish in the Cox Plate. Last year’s campaign ended in frustration after a rough ride, but with Craig Williams likely steering a more tactical race, Buckaroo’s connections believe this might be his year to break through.
Then there’s Torranzino , a Kiwi-bred contender who’s emerging as the feel-good story of the season. Trained by bush horseman Paul Preusker and ridden by rising jockey Celine Gaudray, his recent Geelong Cup win has people whispering about a possible repeat of that underdog magic we saw a decade ago. It’s the kind of story Melbourne Cup dreams are made of.
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Meanwhile, horses like Presage Nocturne and Half Yours have both been flagged as serious threats. Presage Nocturne’s impressive Caulfield Cup performance put him firmly in top-three contention, while Half Yours, the Caulfield Cup winner, will be looking to prove his stamina over the extra 800 meters at Flemington.
The race also brings back familiar faces — from the resilient Vauban , who’s struggled to find his best in past Cups, to the veteran Smokin’ Romans , still going strong at nine years old. And if there’s a wild card, it’s probably Meydaan , who didn’t show his best at Caulfield but now has superstar jockey James McDonald taking the reins — a move that could turn everything around.
Over in New Zealand, the Cup dream is still alive for stayers like Mark Twain and Trav . Mark Twain’s trainers, Roger James and Robert Wellwood, remain optimistic despite mixed form this spring, believing the horse still has the class to deliver a bold performance. Trav, meanwhile, will need a bit of luck to make the final cut, but his connections are ready to seize any chance they get — a testament to the fighting spirit that defines Cup week.
So, as the field narrows and the anticipation builds, one thing is clear — the 2025 Melbourne Cup isn’t just a race. It’s a collection of stories, ambitions, and dreams from across the world, all converging on Flemington’s famous turf. Whether it’s a seasoned import or a local underdog that takes the glory, this year’s Cup promises to be one for the ages.
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