The countdown is on for the 2025 Melbourne Cup, Australia’s most prestigious horse race — famously dubbed “the race that stops a nation.” On Tuesday, November 4, 24 horses will thunder around Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, battling it out over 3200 metres for racing glory and a share of nearly NZ$11.9 million in prize money.
WATCH: 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival Anywhere
This year’s Cup promises plenty of drama, especially with rain falling across Melbourne, which could see the track rated as soft or even heavy by race time. However, Flemington’s excellent drainage system means a late improvement in conditions isn’t out of the question.
What Time is the Melbourne Cup 2025 in New Zealand?
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Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
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Time: 5:00 PM NZT
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Location: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
How to watch the Melbourne Cup in New Zealand
New Zealand racing fans can catch the action live on Trackside TV or via Sky Sport. For those preferring to stream, TAB NZ and Racing.com will have full coverage, including pre-race interviews, analysis, and post-race reactions.
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TV Broadcast: Trackside TV / Sky Sport
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Live Stream: Watch Live Anywhere
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Coverage Start: Around 2:30 PM NZT with live build-up, betting updates, and expert commentary
Melbourne Cup 2025 Prize Money
The total prize pool for the 2025 Melbourne Cup stands at an impressive NZ$11.9 million, with the winner taking home NZ$5.15 million. Beyond the prestige, the financial reward makes this one of the richest staying races in the world.
Favorites and Betting Tips
Half Yours enters the Cup as the favourite, having drawn barrier eight, which co-trainer Calvin McEvoy called “absolutely perfect.” The last horse to complete the Caulfield Cup–Melbourne Cup double was Without A Fight in 2023 — a feat many believe Half Yours could repeat.
Racing journalist Michael Guerin has provided his expert tips for the 2025 Melbourne Cup:
1️⃣ Presage Nocturne
2️⃣ Half Yours
3️⃣ Furthur
4️⃣ Valiant King
Track Conditions and Grey Horse Superstition
It’s shaping up to be a wet Melbourne Cup, with the track expected to start as a Soft 6. If the rain continues, the surface could edge towards the heavy range — which might favour horses proven on softer going.
While the old racing superstition of “backing the greys in the wet” is usually dismissed as pub talk, this year might just make believers out of a few punters. Three of the top contenders — Presage Nocturne, Furthur, and Valiant King — are all grey and handle soft conditions beautifully.
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Presage Nocturne, a French stayer, looks particularly strong. He impressed with a fourth-place finish in the Caulfield Cup, and his proven stamina over long distances makes him one to watch.
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Furthur, ridden by Kiwi jockey Mick Dee, is a lightly weighted 3-year-old who could surprise at long odds.
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Valiant King, trained by Chris Waller, is another grey who thrives on soft tracks and finished third in the Caulfield Cup.
If the heavens open again, it really could be a grey day at Flemington — both on the track and in the winner’s circle.
About the Melbourne Cup
Held annually on the first Tuesday of November, the Melbourne Cup is more than just a race — it’s a national event woven into Australia’s cultural fabric. Offices pause, pubs fill, and millions place a flutter on their chosen horse.
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First run: 1861, won by Archer
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Distance: 3200m
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Venue: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
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Prize pool: NZ$11.9 million (approx. A$10 million)
The race attracts the world’s best stayers, with many international contenders chasing a slice of Australian history.
Form Guide and Betting Insights
For punters keen to study the field, the Racenet Melbourne Cup Form Guide is an invaluable tool. It includes details like:
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Barrier draws & saddlecloth numbers
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Jockeys, trainers, and horse weights
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Win/place ratios
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Recent performance (last 6–10 runs)
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Track & distance stats
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Speed maps and sectional times
Even casual bettors can use these resources to make informed choices — or at least sound knowledgeable at the office sweepstake.
Expert Tip
The best each-way bet might just be Presage Nocturne. He’s proven over long distances, adaptable to soft conditions, and comes through the same French race pathway that produced Melbourne Cup winners like Americain (2010) and Protectionist (2014).
But don’t rule out Half Yours, whose form and light weight make him equally dangerous. Either way, prepare for a thrilling and unpredictable finish.
