Melbourne Cup Pick, Odds, Trends & Preview (Nov 3)

One of the world’s most famous races is set for this week, as the Melbourne Cup is staged at Flemington Racecourse. An international field go to post for the world’s richest turf handicap, with the betting headlined by Al Riffa for trainer Joseph O’Brien. You can find the odds and our Melbourne Cup picks here.

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Melbourne Cup Overview

• When: Monday, November 3, 2025, at 11:00 PM ET
• Where: Flemington, Melbourne, Australia
• How to Watch: FanDuel TV
• Grade: Grade One
• Distance: 2 Miles
• Purse: A$10 Million

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Melbourne Cup Odds

Horse	Odds
Al Riffa	+600
Presage Nocturne	+700
Half Yours	+750
Valiant King	+850
Buckaroo	+900
Other Selections	+1600 & Bigger

ALSO SEE: Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Pick, Odds, Trends & Preview (Oct 31)

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Melbourne Cup Recent Winners

Year	Winning Horse
2024	Knight’s Choice
2023	Without A Fight
2022	Gold Trip
2021	Verry Elleegant
2020	Twilight Payment

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Melbourne Cup Trends

• The Caulfield Cup is a notable prep race, with 12 runners having completed the double
• European raiders have won seven of the last 20 editions of the Melbourne Cup
• Horses need to be proven over the distance, and also have experience on soft ground

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Leading Contenders

One of the world’s most exciting races is set for Flemington, as the Melbourne Cup will be staged. Al Riffa has been the long-time favorite in the betting for Joseph O’Brien, having won his last two starts. His latest success was a dominant win in the G1 Irish St Leger. However, winning the Melbourne Cup off top weight is a major challenge.

Half Yours is a prominent betting angle for many. The five-year-old was a standout winner of the G1 Caulfield Cup on his latest start. That form looks like a strong angle, with many of the rivals beaten that day once again re-opposing. Goes on all ground, and this distance suits him perfectly.

Valiant King was one of the runners behind Half Yours in the Caulfield Cup. However, Chris Waller is one of the leading trainers in this race, and that start was likely to get him tuned up for this contest at Flemington. Has progressed on every start for the Waller stable since joining the yard from the respected Joseph O’Brien. Leading hope, and my second choice.

River Of Stars is also a runner from the Waller stable this week. The six-year-old was previously trained by Ralph Beckett in Britain, and has progressed with every start for his new yard. Was second in the Caulfield Cup on his latest start, and has a leading chance to reverse the form with Half Yours on these terms.

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Melbourne Cup Pick

The Willie Mullins angle is exceptionally challenging to overlook. The National Hunt maestro caused a major upset in the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Saturday, and he saddles Absurde in the Melbourne Cup this week.

The seven-year-old has run with great credit in the last two editions of the race, and he performed excellently on his final prep start when taking seventh in the Caulfield Cup, despite hitting traffic at a crucial stage.

Free Pick:

• Absurde (+1600)