THE Melbourne Cup, often referred to as the race that stops the nation, has finally arrived for the year 2025.
Scheduled for 4pm on the first Tuesday of November, this iconic event brings the country together to witness an impressive field of horses competing in the 3200m staying test.
Over the years, the Melbourne Cup has evolved into the world’s premier handicap race, earning its place as one of the major events on the global racing calendar.
The story of the Cup is well known – first run in 1861 when won by the mighty Archer, and a grand stage for some of all-time greats such as Phar Lap (1930), Carbine (1890), Rising Fast (1954) and Makybe Diva, the only horse to win three, from 2003-05.
These greats have left an indelible mark on the race, captivating audiences and creating unforgettable moments in racing history.
Rahul Sundar, Director of Grants Betting House, acknowledges the anticipation building towards the race and the excitement surrounding the event.
As the nation eagerly awaits the race day, punters are preparing to spend a day fully immersed in betting and selecting their top choices among the field of contenders.
‘The wait if over, and now everyone is just waiting for tomorrow (today) for the race,” said Sundar.
“We will have one whole day to bet, and to choose your best horse in the field of Australia right now.
“So, Melbourne Cup there are 24 horses running, for those of you who doesn’t know about Melbourne Cup, it is a most anticipated race, everyone around the Pacific region awaits Melbourne Cup.”
The Melbourne Cup field boasts a strong presence of Irish and French competitors, alongside representatives from Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
“The field is dominated by Irish horses, we have eight horses coming in from Ireland, seven from France, three from Great Britain, one from Australia, one from New Zealand and one from Japan.
“The favourite for this year is the horse from Australia (Half Yours) with the jockey’s name Jamie Melham; she is a female jockey so it will be a great race for her.”
“We have a lot of people coming into place their bets, you can come early morning to place your bets, to avoid the last-minute rush, and we look forward for a good race.
“The 24 horses are best from their countries so we can expect a good and exciting race from all the jockeys.”
With excitement mounting and bets being placed, the stage is set for a competitive and exhilarating event.
