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2025 Melbourne Cup day, Big Dance recap: Every winner from Flemington, Randwick plus replays

Half Yours has won the Melbourne Cup, capturing an historic Cups double for jockey Jamie Melham, while Gringotts snatched his second Big Dance. Recap every race at Flemington and Randwick.

Daniel Sankey
22 min read
November 4, 2025 - 6:28PM
Punters Melbourne Cup Wrap

Welcome to our recap of Melbourne Cup day from Flemington in Melbourne, where Jamie Melham has won the race that stops a nation aboard Half Yours.

At Royal Randwick, Gringotts defended his Big Dance title.

Recap every winner and watch all the replays below.

KEY POSTS(click the headline to read)
• Half Yours wins 2025 Melbourne Cup
• Gringotts wins Big Dance at Randwick
• Brad Waters’ best bets for Flemington
• 18 EXPERTS: Melbourne Cup, Big Dance tips

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

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PINNED POST

Flemington Race 7 – Half Yours wins the Melbourne Cup

History was made at Flemington as Jamie Melham became the second female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, 10 years after Michelle Payne won aboard Prince of Penzance.

In the process, Melham also became the first female jockey to win the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double as the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Half Yours ($8) raced away for a famous victory.

Melham couldn’t have scripted Half Yours’ Melbourne Cup run any better. She lobbed just worse than midfield on the fence in running and her horse was full of running as she continued to take inside runs early in the straight.

There was a testing moment as she pushed between the tiring Land Legend and Royal Supremacy, but once clear Half Yours – now the 12th hrose to win the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double –quickly put the race beyond doubt.

The Joseph O’Brien-trained Goodie Two Shoes (Wayne Lordan) was a brave second, while Ciaron Maher’s Middle Earth (Ethan Brown, $26) was third.

Presage Nocturne was sensationally backed into $7 favouritism but jockey Stephane Pasquier didn’t get a lot of clear running the straight and he finished well out of the placings.

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6.15pm: Randwick Race 10 – Sunrise wins as sun sets at Randwick

George Carpenter celebrated his first city winner as a co-trainer with Mitch Beer as Sunrise stormed home to win the Toyota Forklifts Benchmark 84 (1000m).

Sunrise (Anna Roper, $3.40 favourite) got the better of the appropriately-named Power Of The Brave (William Stanley, $19), who was exactly that as he got the better of fellow pacesetter South Of India (Nash Rawiller, $4.80) before he was overrun for the victory.

Zaragoza (Dylan Gibbons, $18) was an eye-catcher late, running home to grab third ahead of Bundeena (Andrew Adkins, $6).

Carpenter had spent a year as Beer’s assistant trainer before he was elevated to co-trainer in late August.

5.40pm: Randwick Race 9 – Magnear scrapes home

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5.35pm: Flemington Race 10 – Persian Spirit wins the get out stakes

Last year’s Caulfield Cup-winning jockey Harry Coffey went home a winner on Melbourne Cup day this year as he piloted the Symon Wilde-trained Persian Spirit ($4.80) to a fast-finishing victory in the final race at Flemington.

Coffey took Persian Spirit back to last from a wide gate, getting his horse onto the back of Ndola as they turned for home before letting him loose at the 300m.

The horse responded in style, producing an electric turn of foot to win by five lengths from Sunshineinmypocket (Ethan Brown, $3.40) and Ndola (Luke Currie, $4).

It’s Persian Spirit’s second win at his fourth start this preparation and he now has five career wins for just short of $300,000 prizemoney.

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5pm: Randwick Race 8 – Pride quinella in the Choisir

A thrilling finish in the United Resource Management Choisir (1100m) was doubly enjoyable for the Joe Pride stable as Estadio Mestalla (Adam Hyeronimus, $23) edged out his heavily-fancied stablemate, Accredited (Jason Collett, $3.30).

With the first five horses finishing within a length-and-a-half of each other it was Hyeronimus who timed his run best, flashing home between runners to nab Accredited by a nose.

The Ciaron Maher-trained Zaszou (Tom Marquand, $13) also finished with a rush, grabbing

third ahead of Imperial Force (Josh Parr, $5) and Dragonstone (Braith Nock, $7).

Estadio Mestalla was last seen at the races on August 30 when he won a Benchmark 100 at Rosehill over 1500m. Behind him that day was Half Yours, who also won today – in the $10 million Melbourne Cup!

With the benefit of a soft trial on October 31, Estadio Mestalla was able to sprint well fresh over a trip he had never previously run over, let alone won over.

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4.45pm: Flemington Race 9 – Dance To The Boom wins as Shinn falls

A scary moment in the $240,000 Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) as jockey Blake Shinn fell from his mount She’s Got Pizzazz ($21).

The reigning Scobie Breasley medallist raced tight between the race’s eventual winner Dance To The Boom (Kerrin McEvoy, $18) and Fancify (Jamie Melham, $9.50) before his mare came down.

She’s Got Pizzazz was quickly back to her feet and completed the course riderless. It’s understood Shinn has a leg injury and has since been taken to hospital.

Roll on High (Daniel Stackhouse, $34) was second in front of Jenni The Fox (Declan Bates, $34).

Surfin’ Bird (Tim Clark) was heavily backed, starting the $1.75 favourite, but could only manage fifth.

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4.20pm: Randwick Race 7 – Osipenko wins Little Dance

Former Group 1 contender Osipenko notched his first win since January this year as he captured the $750,000 Little Dance (1600m) at Randwick.

Now a winner of five races and more than $1.8 million, six-year-old Osipenko (Josh Parr, $5.50) has a resume that put today’s rivals in the shade.

Third in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes just two starts back, the Chris Waller-trained gelding is also twice Group 1-placed – in the 2023 Makybe Diva Stakes behind Mr Brightside and Alligator Blood, as well as the 2022 Caulfield Guineas in which he was third behind Golden Mile and Elliptical.

Even with 62kg today, Osipenko proved a class above his rivals, charging home down the outside to win from Hollywood Hero (Ashley Morgan, $6) and Anythink Goes (Winona Costin, $17).

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4.05pm: Flemington Race 8 – Magic Man salutes aboard Burma Star

Star international jockey Joao Moreira got on the board on Melbourne Cup day as he piloted the impressive Chris Waller-trained Godolphin colt Burma Star ($10) to victory in the $200,00 Listed Amanda Elliott (1400m).

Moreira, known as the ‘Magic Man’, may have wanted to make himself disappear after taking Land Legend out to a big lead in the Melbourne Cup before the Chris Waller stayer folded up badly in the straight.

But Moreira was at his brilliant best in the next race.

The Exceed And Excel colt made a long run from well back, hitting the front just inside the 100m before showing plenty of ticker to hold off the surging Tagline (Daniel Stackhouse, $41) and Ripley (Ethan Brown, $5).

It’s a second victory from just seven starts for Burma Star, who takes his career earnings to more than $200,000.

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3.40pm: Randwick Race 6 – So You Pence wins Barn Dance

The Matthew Dale-trained So You Pence ($5.50) bounced back from an unlucky run in last month’s $2 million The Kosciuszko to claim the $250,000 Barn Dance (1300m) at Randwick.

The lightly-raced six-year-old mare, having just her ninth start, was given a gun ride by Ashley Morgan, who didn’t have to leave the fence as he powered home to win from Lisztomania (Jason Collett, $6.50) and the pacemaker Ticklebelly (Alysha Collett, $10).

So You Pence copped a bumped at the start of the Kosciuszko which left her stuck in a three-wide without cover and she battled bravely to finish fifth, beaten less than two lengths by the smart Clear Thinking.

It was a different story today with Morgan able to give the mare the run of the race behind Ticklebelly before the mare railed through after straightening and ripped clear.

So You Pence has now won four times in nine outings, with the $140,000 first prize cheque almost doubling her career earnings.

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2.40pm: Presage Nocture is our new Melbourne Cup favourite

French raider Presage Nocturne has been sensationally backed into $7 favouritism for today’s $10 million Melbourne Cup, which jumps at 3pm.

The Alessandro Botti-trained stallion – an eye-catching fourth in the Caulfield Cup behind Half Yours – has been $8.50 into $7 with the TAB’s fixed odds market in the past couple of hours.

Al Riffa, who was backed to win more than $5 million at yesterday’s Call Of The Card, is $7 out to $9 and is now third favourite behind Half Yours, who’s been solid at the $8 mark.

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2.30pm: Randwick Race 5 – Gringotts wins Big Dance

It’s a Ciaron Maher trifecta in the $3 million Big Dance (1600m), with defending champion Gringotts (Nash Rawiller, $3) leading home stablemates Vivy Air (Andrew Adkins, $17) and Lugh (Regan Bayliss, $41).

Rawiller was simply brilliant on the favourite, riding patiently just off the speed on the inside before the run presented between Cristal Clear (Braith Nock, $7.50) and Lugh at the 200m.

Despite carrying the 62kg topweight, showed a brilliant turn of foot to put the race beyond doubt as Vivy Air and Lugh battled out the minors.

The second favourite Headley Grange (Adam Hyeronimus, $5) only battled under his 61kg impost and was a beaten horse at the 200m.

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2.16pm: Flemington Race 6 – Kingswood motors home, protest dismissed

It’s a grey quinella in the Listed Kirin Ichiban Plate (1800m), with the Gavin Bedggood-trained Kingswood (John Allen, $4.60) too strong for Ciaron Maher’s $2.80 favourite Saint George (Ethan Brown).

Connections of Saint George lodged a protest against Kingswood, alleging interference at the 300m mark. However, the protest was quickly dismissed.

Looking for race-to-race double, jockey Craig Williams took the $4.20 second-elect Athanatos to the front from a wide gate as Molly Bloom (Damian Lane, $14) parked on his hindquarters.

But inside the 300m it was apparent that this would be a race for the swoopers, with Kingswood and Saint George making their runs down the centre of the course.

Kingswood was coming back slightly in trip after a trip to Sydney for the Group 2 Hill Stakes, for which he had betting support ($9 into $7.50) before finishing 4.2-lengths back from Lindermann in eighth.

For Saint George, it was another second after he resumed with an eye-catching effort behind the smart Cote Atlantique in the Listed Seymour Cup (1600m) on October 12.

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1.50pm: Randwick Race 4 – Expensive colt Equerry salutes

The biggest betting move at Randwick so far today came up short as the Ciaron Maher-trained Blue Willow (Adam Hyeronimus) could only manage third in the Quayclean Benchmark 64 (1300m).

Instead, it was Nash Rawiller notching a race-to-race double as he piloted the Chris Waller-trained Equerry ($7.50) to victory from Blue Willow’s stablemate, Extreme Diamond (Anna Roper, $12).

Hyeronimus got Blue Willow to the outside after straightening but the Blue Point-filly was left slightly flatfooted as Equerry and Extreme Diamond sprinted quickly on the inside.

A $500,000 purchase at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale last year, Equerry – owned by a syndicate headed by Coolmore – has now won his past two starts since a narrow second behind Snitzel Dancer at Canterbury on September 9. On that day, Equerry beat home Shangri La Boy, who has since gone on to win the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes and place second in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes.

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1.30pm: Flemington Race 5 – Litzdeel wins for Willo

Craig Williams is on the board on Melbourne Cup day ... and he’ll be hoping his steer on Buckaroo in the race that stops a nation is as painless as his effort on Litzdeel in the Australian Heritage Cup (2800m).

A Danny O’Brien-trained half-sister to his former Cup winner Vow And Declare, Litzdeel ($5) tracked the leader Argentum (Robbie Dolan, $41) into the straight before taking a gap on the inside shortly after straightening and exploding clear.

The race was over as a contest before they even reached the 100m mark, with Don Diego De Vega (Mick Dee, $6) chasing in vain more than four lengths back.

The Aaron Purcell-trained $101 pop Farag (Linda Meech) put some value into the trifecta.

The $4.80 favourite Golden Century(Joao Moreira) raced outside the leader Argentum but faded badly in the final 200m, battling on for a well-beaten seventh.

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1.50pm: Randwick Race 3 – Carbonados wins ... eventually

The favourite got the job done ... but it was no easy watch.

Punters had their hearts in their mouth for much of the straight as the well-backed Carbonados (Nash Rawiller, $2.70) struggled to find clear running in the Alinta Energy Benchmark 84 (1200m).

In a six-horse field, it looked as though Rawiller would run out of room as he tried to naviate Carbonados between Money Team and Midnight Opal.

When the gap finally appeared at the 150m mark, the Team Hayes-trained Carbonados did the rest, exploding clear to win by an ever-widening three lengths.

Heuristic (Dylan Gibbons, $9) made some late ground to nab second from Midnight Opal (Braith Nock, $3.20).

For Carbonados, it was a win in Sydney at his first attempt after 16 Victorian starts since he was purchased after a debut victory at Pukekura in New Zealand.

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12.50pm: Flemington Race 4 – Pallaton wins Schweppervescence Plate

Just minutes after jockey James McDonald announced he’d donate his race day winnings today to an appeal to the Tom Prebble fundraiser, he immediately kicked more than $4000 into the kitty with victory via Pallaton ($3.80) in the Schweppervescence Plate (1000m).

In the battle for favouritism, the punters had gravitated towards McDonald’s great rival Mark Zahra, who piloted the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Street Artist ($3.60).

But when McDonald asked the Michael Freemdan-trained Pallaton for an effort at the 250m mark, the one-time Golden Slipper favourite responded and raced away to win by more than a length.

Street Artist was second, with the Lloyd Kennewell-trained Vangogh Bankcheque (Jamie Melham, $11) in third.

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12.30pm: Randwick Race 2 – Petticoat wins Highway Handicap

Favourite backers were never given a moment’s concern as Petticoat ($1.70, Anna Roper) won the TAB Highway Handicap (1000m).

The daughter of Better Than Ready, trained by Brett Dodson, showed her rivals a clean pair of heels as she won from Impendor (Nash Rawiller, $3.70) and Enniroc (Sienna Grima, $19).

It’s the fourth victory from just 13 starts for Petticoat, who won a Highway at Randwick first-up this campaign before a narrow second in a Benchmark 78 at Eagle Farm.

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12.27pm: J-Mac donates winnings to Tom Prebble

Champion jockey James McDonald has pledged all of his prize money percentage earned on Melbourne Cup Day to the Tom Prebble fundraiser.

McDonald, a close friend of Prebble’s father and fellow Melbourne Cup winner Brett, paid a surprise and private visit to the injured jockey last Saturday week after winning the Cox Plate.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money to help Prebble, who unfortunately sustained life-changing spinal injuries in a race fall.

McDonald has four rides on Tuesday including international contender Meydaan in the Cup.

A Melbourne Cup win could inject $225,000 alone into the Prebble fund, with the jockey’s five per cent share of $4.5m first prize.

You can donate to the fundraiser here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/backing-in-tom-prebble-after-paraplegia-diagnosis

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12.10pm: Flemington Race 3 – Different Gravy wins TAB Trophy

Different Gravy? He sure was.

Jockey Mark Zahra claimed a race-to-race double as te well-backed $4.40 favourite Different Gravy, trained by Henry Dwyer, rocketed home down the outside to claim the TAB Trophy (2000m).

By Ghaiyyath, the sire of Observer – who Zahra rode to victory in the Group 1 Victoria Derby on Saturday – Different Gravy came into today’s race off a fast-finishing second behind Freedom Flame at Morphettville. He relished the step up to 2000m and will no doubt appreciate even further in time.

Brave Danza (Daniel Stackhouse), a $26 bolter trained by Matt Cumani, held off Obvious (Ben Allen, $9) for third while Gold Topaz (John Allen, $26) was fourth.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Champagne Hero (Blake Shinn, $4.80) was the other well-backed commodity in the race and while he looked a chance after hitting the front shortly after they straightened, the final 200m proved too testing as he faded out of the

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11.55am: Randwick Race 1 – Oceanfront wins Midway

New Domeland trainer Nacim Dilmi got his Big Dance day off to the perfect start as Oceanfront (Dylan Gibbons, $10) ran away for a dominant victory in the Midway Benchmark 72 (1800m).

Oceanfront stalked Horizons (Braith Nock, $3.60) in running before Gibbons pushed the button as their straightened. He quickly put a couple of lengths on Horizons and Gibbons was able to ease down the son of Trapeze Artist in the final 100m.

The $2.90 favourite Natoya(Jason Collett) got home well to just collar Horizons for second.

Winning trainer Dilmi took up the reins at Domeland at the start of the new racing season, taking over from Sara Ryan. Oceanfront was his first city winner.

He will have the chance to match Ryan’s 2023 Big Dance-winning effort with Attractable when he saddles up Aix En Provence in today’s $3 million feature.

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11.40am: Tony Gollan’s Melbourne Cup tips

Queensland’s leading trainer Tony Gollan didn’t get his Cox Plate fairytale with Antino this year ... but he’s hoping for a fairytale of a different kind in today’s Melbourne Cup.

He gives his tip for the race that stops a nation.

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11.30am: Flemington Race 2 – It’s Party time for Hickmott

From Morphettville to Melbourne ... the Michael Hickmott-trained Party Crasher picked up the biggest win of his seven-start career when by out-toughing his opposition to win the MA Services Grand Handicap (2000m).

The lightly-raced four-year-old – who showed plenty of promise in his first preparation, winning twice at Morphettville before a spell – was only second-up at Flemington today after a 2.5-length 8th of 16 over 1400m at Murray Bridge on October 11.

The month between runs and the step up to 2000m clearly agreed with Party Crasher (Mark Zahra, $5), who had to show plenty of tenacity to fight off the challenge of Pittsburgh Pirate (Neil Farley, $26).

Ghetto Supastar (Mick Dee, $11) was third ahead of Brave Miss (Jamie Melham, $8), while the $3.10 favourite Makdane (Craig Williams) was unplaced.

Party Crasher, a son of Cox Plate winner Ocean Park, has now won more than $190,000 from his seven career starts.

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11.15am: Brad Waters’ $41 top pick in Melbourne Cup

While the punters are scrambling to back Al Riffa and Half Yours, Racenet form analyst Brad Waters is banking on a roughie to win today’s Melbourne Cup.

$41 is available right now for the Ciaron Maher-trained Middle Earth, who’ll be ridden by Ethan Brown.

Brad explains why he’s keen on the imported stayer in this year’s great race ... and we also get some tips from the Herald Sun’s Glenn McFarlane and Michael Klein.

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11.05am: Ray Thomas’ tips for Big Dance, Melbourne Cup

Form analyst Ray Thomas presents his best bets for the Big Dance at Randwick and the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.

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10.50am: Flemington Race 1 – Tornado Valley wins Maribyrnong Plate

Trainer Ciaron Maher and jockey Ethan Brown – who’ll combine with Middle Earth in today’s Melbourne Cup – got off to a winning start at Flemington with Tornado Valley ($6.50) in the $240,000 Group 3 Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m).

Luna Vega (Joao Moreira, $12) flew the gates and Brown was able to take a sit just off the pace before making his run at the 300m.

He was challenged in the closing stages by Tales Of Time (Ben Melham, $17) but the son of Too Darn Hot found plenty to keep his rival at bay.

Luna Vega held on for third in front of the $4.20 favourite, Carnevale (Mark Zahra).

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10.40am: Ron Dufficy’s tips for Big Dance, Melbourne Cup

Sky Thoroughbred Central form analyst Ron Dufficy thinks the Kris Lees-trained Tavi Time can win today’s $3 million Big Dance at Randwick.

He believes the set-up – third up to the mile, with a trial in between – will suit the son of Tavistock, who was fourth last year’s Big Dance, beaten less than two lengths by Gringotts, who is back and aiming to win at $3.

In the Melbourne Cup at Flemington, Duff makes a case for the French raider Presage Nocturne.

He explains below.

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10.20am: Brad Waters’ tip for Race 1 at Flemington

We’re not far away from kicking things off at Flemington for Melbourne Cup day!

The first of the day, the Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m), is a race down the straight for the two-year-olds.

And there will have to be a bit of guesswork involved, with only two of the runners – Knurl (1) and Tornado Valley (2) – having had previous racing experience.

Brad likes Knurl on an each-way basis, from Tornado Valley and the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Luna Vega, who’ll be ridden by star international jockey Joao “The Magic Man” Moreira.

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9.45am: Who wins the Big Dance?

Alex Donnelly, Jett Hatton, Mitch Cohen, Gilbert Gardiner and yours truly reveal their tips for the $3 million Big Dance.

While Gringotts is the favourite at $3, he’s not a unanimous selection!

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9.30am: James Lamb’s Melbourne Cup tips

Punters senior journalist James Lamb thinks resurgent galloper Valiant King can continue his amazing return to form with victory in today’s $10 million Melbourne Cup.

The Chris Waller-trained import had not run a place in 18 months in Australia before he claimed third in the Group 2 Chairman’s Quality (2600m) at Randwick in April this year.

Since then he secured his spot in the Melbourne Cup with a devastating win in the Group 3 Bart Cummings (2500m) before his third placing in the Caulfield Cup behind Half Yours.

JAMES LAMB’S MELBOURNE CUP TIPS
1st – Valiant King (24)
2nd – Buckaroo (2)
3rd – Al Riffa (1)
4th – Vauban (4)

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8.55am: Brad Waters’ expert tips for Flemington

Victorian form analyst Brad Waters thinks a $15 chance can run a huge race for punters at Flemington today.

The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained That’smoneybrother is having just his third start in The Schweppervescence Plate (1000m) at Flemington today but Waters thinks he can still account for the likes of one-time 2025 Golden Slipper favourite Pallaton.

“That’smoneybrother ran on well on debut before a fighting win over 1000m last time,” Waters writes.

“He’s drawn the right part of the trck to go well again on Tuesday.”

That’smoneybrother will be ridden by star young jockey Ethan Brown, who gave Jimmysstar a perfect steer when winning the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes at Randwick last Saturday.

In today’s race that stops a nation, Brad has also gone hunting for value in what he describes as a “tough Melbourne Cup to work out”.

He’s got $34 pop Middle Earth – who’ll also be ridden by Brown – on top.

“Middle Earth looks to have been prepared with the Melbourne Cup as the sole goal and his last run at The Valley topped him off nicely,” he writes.

“Valiant King won well two runs back and was unlucky in the Caulfield Cup. Presage Nocturne ran on well in the Caulfield Cup and should improve off that. Al Riffa is the best horse in the race and must be respected.”

Get Brad’s race-by-race preview for Melbourne Cup day at Flemington here.

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8.40am: Greg Polson’s Big Dance day tips

Racenet’s NSW form expert, professional punter Greg Polson, has made $8 chance Tavi Time his top selection in today’s Big Dance at Royal Randwick.

Greg has provided his race-by-race tips for both Randwick and Kembla Grange today ... get them here.

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8.20am: Five-minute guide to having a bet on the Big Dance

Heading to Randwick today and need some help with getting a bet on for the $3 million Big Dance?

Adam Dobbin has you covered right here.

And in terms of tips ... check out what Katelyn Mallyon has got to say about the race in the video below.

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8am: Gilbert Gardiner’s Melbourne Cup day preview

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7.45am: Key big bets for Randwick, Flemington

There has been plenty of betting action not just in the Melbourne Cup, but the Big Dance at Randwick and support races right around the country today.

Racenet has reached out to all the big bookmakers to find out where the money is going.

Betr has taken an $8000 wager at $3 on Gringotts to win the Big Dance at Randwick, while Pointsbet also took an $8000 wager at $4.40 on Natoya to win Race 1 at Randwick.

As previously reported, Al Riffa has been sensationally backed into $7 favouritism for the Melbourne Cup, but he’s not the only horse that’s been backed.

Neds has taken a $10,000 wager at $8.50 on Presage Nocturne, while in Race 9 at Flemington, Palmerbet accepted a $20,000 bet at $2.70 on Surfin’ Bird.

Read all the big bets here.

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7.25am: Ultimate wet track form guide for Melbourne Cup

Despite more than 30mm of rain at Flemington in the past 24 hours, the track was this morning upgraded from Soft (7) to Soft (6).

More rain is on the way, however, so you can take it to the bank that we’ll be racing on a wet track.

If that makes you question your study of the form, never fear ... Clinton Payne has a special wet track analysis of the Melbourne Cup field.

Read Clinton’s take on which horses have their chances enhanced – and which ones are hindered– right here.

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7.10am: Big Dance runner-by-runner form analysis, tips

NSW form expert Clinton Payne thinks a runner at double figure odds can produce a boilover in today’s $3 million Big Dance.

Payne spent hours studying the form to pull together his runner-by-runner form analysis and tips for today’s Randwick feature.

While he respects the top two in betting – Gringotts and Headley Grange – he thinks there’s a value runner that can blow them both out of the water.

Get Clint’s full preview and tips here.

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7am: Latest on Melbourne Cup weather, track

Heading to the Melbourne Cup at Flemington today? You’re going to need an umbrella … and a coat.

Overnight rain is set to continue this morning, with up to 10mm expected during the day.

More than 30mm has fallen at Flemington in the past 24 hours, but in true testament to the track’s amazing draining ability, the racing surface has been UPGRADED from Soft (7) to Soft (6).

The Bureau of Meteorology expects rain to ease later this morning, but with more rain predicted for the afternoon and evening, it’s on a knife-edge as to whether we’ll be watching the Cup in the rain or not.

A top temperature of just 17c is forecast.

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6.30am: Al Riffa remains Melbourne Cup favourite

He was backed to win millions at yesterday’s Call of the Card … and since then, Al Riffa has remained a fixture at the top of betting for today’s Melbourne Cup.

The Australian Bloodstock-raced, Joseph O’Brien-trained international stayer remains the $7 favourite ahead of Caulfield Cup winner Half Yours ($7.50), Presage Nocturne ($8.50) and Valiant King ($9).

At yesterday’s Melbourne Cup Call of the Card at Crown Palladium, a crowd of almost 900 people erupted when bookmaker Chris Lester accepted a bet of $500,000 at $8 on Al Riffa from Easygo, the company behind Stake.com.

Australian Bloodstock also wagered $200,000 on Al Riffa at odds of $8 and $7.50 before the Irish St Leger shortened to $7 favourite.

The Melbourne Cup jumps at 3pm AEDT.

MELBOURNE CUP MARKET
$7 Al Riffa
$7.50 Half Yours
$8.50 Presage Nocturne
$9 Valiant King
$10 Buckaroo
$16 River Of Stars
$17 Absurde
$19 Flatten The Curve
$23 Meydaan
$26 Vauban, Furthur, Royal Supremacy
$31 Onesmoothoperator
$34 Arapaho, Goodie Two Shoes, Torranzino
$41 Middle Earth
$51 Chevalier Rose, Land Legend, More Felons, Parchment Party
$61 Smokin’ Romans, Changingoftheguard
$71 Athabascan

ODDS: TAB, correct at 6.30am

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6.15am: Gringotts tops Big Dance market

Defending champion Gringotts, trained by Ciaron Maher, is a solid $3 favourite for the feature race of the day in Sydney, the $3 million Big Dance (1600m).

Gringotts comes into today’s race third-up from a spell – a pattern in which he’s won three times and placed third in five starts – and gets a $2kg weight swing today on the second favourite Headley Grange ($4.60), who beat him home last time out in the Alan Brown Stakes.

The Big Dance jumps at 2.20pm.

BIG DANCE MARKET
$3 Gringotts
$4.60 Headley Grange
$8 Tavi Time
$9.50 Lord Of Biscay
$10 Cristal Clear
$11 Osipenko
$13 Vivy Air, Justadeel
$26 Les Vampires, Belvedere Boys
$31 Time Quest
$34 Lugh
$41 Ruby Flyer, Matusalem
$81 Lavish Empires
$101 Cranky Harry, Boys Night Out, Louie’s Legacy
$126 Super Helpful
$151 Aix En Provence, Hot Bandit, Direct Fire, Ring Ahoy

ODDS: TAB, correct at 6.30am

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

6am: 18 experts give their Melbourne Cup, Big Dance tips

Here are the top selections for both the Melbourne Cup and Big Dance for 18 experts from Racenet and Punters.

ADAM DOBBIN

MELBOURNE CUP
1st – Presage Nocturne (No. 6)
2nd – River Of Stars (No. 21)
3rd – Half Yours (No. 14)
Bet – Presage Nocturne (each-way)

BIG DANCE
1st – Headley Grange (No. 2)
2nd – Gringotts (No. 1)
3rd – Tavi Time (No. 3)
Bet: Headley Grange (win)

ADAM SHERRY

MELBOURNE CUP
1st – Meydaan (No. 8)
2nd – Presage Nocturne (No. 6)
3rd – Valiant King (No. 24)
Bet – Meydaan (each-way)

BIG DANCE
1st – Gringotts (No. 1)
2nd – Headley Grange (No. 2)
3rd – Justadeel (No. 16)
Bet: Gringotts (win)

ALEX DONNELLY

MELBOURNE CUP
1st – Furthur (No. 17)
2nd – Valiant King (No. 24)
3rd – Buckaroo (No. 2)
Bet – Furthur (each-way)

BIG DANCE
1st – Gringotts (No. 1)
2nd – Vivy Air (No. 4)
3rd – Tavi Time (No. 3)
Bet – Gringotts (win)

BEN DORRIES

MELBOURNE CUP
1st – Meydaan (No. 8)
2nd – Half Yours (No. 14)
3rd – Chevalier Rose (No. 5)
Bet – Meydaan (each-way)

BIG DANCE
1st – Gringotts (No. 1)
2nd – Headley Grange (No. 2)
3rd – Vivy Air (No. 4)
Bet – Gringotts (win)

BRAD WATERS

MELBOURNE CUP
1st – Middle Earth (No. 7)
2nd – Valiant King (No. 24)
3rd – Presage Nocturne (No. 6)
Bet – Middle Earth (each-way)

BIG DANCE
1st – Justadeel (No. 16)
2nd – Headley Grange (No. 2)
3rd – Lord Of Biscay (No. 6)
Bet – Justadeel (each-way)

CHRIS VERNUCCIO

MELBOURNE CUP
1st – Buckaroo (No. 2)
2nd – Al Riffa (No. 1)
3rd – Presage Nocturne (No. 6)
Bet – Buckaroo (each-way)

BIG DANCE
1st – Gringotts (No. 1)
2nd – Headley Grange (No. 2)
3rd – Vivy Air (No. 4)
Bet – Gringotts (win)

CLINTON PAYNE

MELBOURNE CUP
1st – More Felons (No. 15)
2nd – Valiant King (No. 24)
3rd – Half Yours (No. 14)
Bet – More Felons (each-way)

BIG DANCE
1st – Justadeel (No. 16)
2nd – Gringotts (No. 1)
3rd – Headley Grange (No. 2)
Bet – Justadeel (each-way)

DANIEL SANKEY

MELBOURNE CUP
1st – Presage Nocturne (No. 6)
2nd – Meydaan (No. 8)
3rd – Valiant King (No. 24)
Bet – Presage Nocturne (each-way)

BIG DANCE
1st – Tavi Time (No. 3)
2nd – Gringotts (No. 1)
3rd – Lavish Empire (No. 7)
Bet – Tavi Time (win)

DAN PACE

MELBOURNE CUP
1st – Meydaan (No. 8)
2nd – Valiant King (No. 24)
3rd – Half Yours (No. 14)
Bet – Meydaan (win)

BIG DANCE
1st – Tavi Time (No. 3)
2nd – Gringotts (No. 1)
3rd – Vivy Air (No. 5)
Bet – Tavi Time (win)

GILBERT GARDINER

MELBOURNE CUP
1st – Half Yours (No. 14)
2nd – Presage Nocturne (No. 6)
3rd – River Of Stars (No. 21)
Bet – Half Yours (win)

BIG DANCE
1st – Gringotts (No. 1)
2nd – Headley Grange (No. 2)
3rd – Tavi Time (No. 3)
Bet – Gringotts (win)

GLENN MCFARLANE

MELBOURNE CUP
1st – Half Yours (No. 14)
2nd – Al Riffa (No. 1)
3rd – Buckaroo (No. 2)
Bet – Half Yours (win)

BIG DANCE
1st – Gringotts (No. 1)
2nd – Headley Grange (No. 2)
3rd – Vivy Air (No. 4)
Bet – Gringotts (win)

JAMES LAMB

MELBOURNE CUP
1st – Valiant King (No. 24)
2nd – Buckaroo (No. 2)
3rd – Al Riffa (No. 1)
Bet – Valiant King (win)

BIG DANCE
1st – Gringotts (No. 1)
2nd – Headley Grange (No. 2)
3rd – Tavi Time (No. 3)
Bet – Gringotts (win)

JETT HATTON

MELBOURNE CUP
1st – Onesmoothoperator (No. 16)
2nd – Presage Nocturne (No. 6)
3rd – Half Yours (No. 14)
Bet – Onesmoothoperator (each-way)

BIG DANCE
1st – Gringotts (No. 1)
2nd – Headley Grange (No. 2)
3rd – Les Vampires (No. 5)
Bet – Gringotts (win)

LUKE SHEEHAN

MELBOURNE CUP
1st – Presage Nocturne (No. 6)
2nd – Al Riffa (No. 1)
3rd – Buckaroo (No. 2)
Bet – Presage Nocturne (win)

BIG DANCE
1st – Lugh (No. 8)
2nd – Vivy Air (No. 4)
3rd – Headley Grange (No. 2)
Bet – Lugh (each-way)

MITCH COHEN

MELBOURNE CUP
1st – River Of Stars (No. 21)
2nd – Half Yours (No. 14)
3rd – Meydaan (No. 8)
Bet – River Of Stars (each-way)

BIG DANCE
1st – Lord Of Biscay (No. 12)
2nd – Headley Grange (No. 2)
3rd – Gringotts (No. 1)
Bet – Lord Of Biscay (each-way)

RAY THOMAS

MELBOURNE CUP
1st – Valiant King (No. 24)
2nd – Half Yours (No. 14)
3rd – Absurde (No. 9)
Bet – Valiant King (each-way)

BIG DANCE
1st – Headley Grange (No. 2)
2nd – Tavi Time (No. 3)
3rd – Gringotts (No. 1)
Bet – Headley Grange (each-way)

SHAYNE O’CASS

MELBOURNE CUP
1st – Half Yours (No. 14)
2nd – Valiant King (No. 24)
3rd – Absurde (No. 9)
Bet – Half Yours (win)

BIG DANCE
1st – Tavi Time (No. 2)
2nd – Gringotts (No. 1)
3rd – Headley Grange (No. 2)
Bet – Tavi Time (win)

TYLER MAUND

MELBOURNE CUP
1st – Half Yours (No. 14)
2nd – Vauban (No. 4)
3rd – Buckaroo (No. 2)
Bet – Vauban (each-way)

BIG DANCE
1st – Gringotts (No. 1)
2nd – Lord Of Biscay (No. 12)
3rd – Justadeel (No. 16)
Bet – Justadeel (each-way)

Originally published as 2025 Melbourne Cup day, Big Dance recap: Every winner from Flemington, Randwick plus replays

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/horse-racing/2025-melbourne-cup-day-big-dance-live-tips-track-conditions-results-replays/news-story/53c65bd6ebff898f860d7f21cc22641c