2025 Melbourne Cup Tips for Trifecta & First Four

We have expert horse racing tips for the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday, which is the race that stops a nation.

It takes place at Race 7 at 3:00pm, and we have a runner-by-runner betting guide available for the big race, which features 24 thoroughbreds hoping to etch their name alongside the past champions of the Melbourne Cup.

We also have our Melbourne Cup tips for the trifecta and first four, which can produce massive payouts!

Our 2025 Melbourne Cup tips are ready, and the best Australian betting sites have value odds available!

Melbourne Cup Betting Sites

Our best bets for Melbourne Cup 2025

Best Bet

Best Each Way

Best Roughie

Melbourne Cup Tips for Trifecta

Punters should have six runners on their ticket for the Melbourne Cup trifecta. We recommend taking a boxed percentage trifecta. Spend what you want, and the payouts can be massive.

• Valiant King
• Presage Nocturne
• Torranzino
• River of Stars
• Al Riffa
• Half Yours

Melbourne Cup First Four Tips

We have included eight runners for our Melbourne Cup first four. Boxing all eight selections for a percentage can still result in a huge payout, and you spend what you want.

• Valiant King
• Presage Nocturne
• Torranzino
• River of Stars
• Al Riffa
• Half Yours
• Absurde
• Flatten the Curve

Melbourne Cup Form Guide & Tips

(1) Al Riffa ($8.50)

He’s the highest-rated runner in the 2025 Melbourne Cup. He also needs to carry a whopping 59.5kg to victory, which is not easy to do.

We’re not putting him on top because of the weight, but based on his race profile, he can’t be left out of Melbourne Cup trifectas.

(2) Buckaroo ($9.00)

The odds for Buckaroo are a touch too short for our liking. He ran incredibly well to finish second in the Cox Plate, but backing up to run in the Melbourne Cup could be too much.

We priced him at around $19, and for that reason, we’re looking elsewhere.

(3) Arapaho ($51.00)

His recent form hasn’t been good enough to recommend, hence the long odds. He would love some rain, which he’ll get, but we don’t think the nine-year-old is running well enough to make an impression on Tuesday.

(4) Vauban ($26.00)

A sneaky chance of winning given the track conditions. A six-time winner on soft conditions, and he has been threatening to win a race this season.

He’s a horse you need to take on trust, but there has been money for him after opening at $34. We’re happy to include him in our first four.

(5) Chevalier Rose ($46.00)

A Japanese runner entering with very moderate form. Damian Lane riding is the only positive we can find, and there are much stronger international hopes.

(6) Presage Nocturne (Best Each Way – $8.00)

He could well firm into outright favouritism on race day. He found the line nicely for fourth in the Caulfield Cup after having to do some work, and he’s a wet track specialist, so any easing of the surface helps.

His progression has been excellent, and it’s rare for Botti to line up a horse in the Melbourne Cup, so he must be confident.

(7) Middle Earth ($35.00)

Middle Earth showed good form when first arriving in Australia, but he hasn’t done much since. His last-start third didn’t come in a strong staying race, so we’re opting to leave him out.

(8) Meydaan ($21.00)

It’s tough to line up Meydaan after an average showing in the Caulfield Cup where he finished ninth. It wasn’t a good run to the eye, and although he can improve, we don’t want to take $21 to find out.

Having James McDonald riding will see late betting support, so the $21 could become $18. However, massive improvement is needed to win.

(9) Absurde ($21.00)

Unlucky in the 2024 Melbourne Cup when flying on the inside before getting blocked. He doesn’t often have a run in Australia before the race, but he got a pass mark in the Caulfield Cup

There isn’t as much betting support for him this year, but he’s at good enough odds to include. His weight and barrier draw are ideal, so $21 is good value.

(10) Flatten the Curve ($27.00)

French and German form isn’t as strong as it used to be. However, his most recent win came by 5.5 lengths, which is a tidy form guide.

He opened at $81 and has been smashed into $27. That’s one of the bigger betting moves in recent history, and it sparks our interest. He could be a first four chance based on that.

(11) Land Legend ($91.00)

His last two efforts weren’t his best, and although he’s much better than that on his day, he could be going backwards on the home turn.

$91 is about where we priced him, and it would be a massive upset win.

(12) Smokin’ Romans ($91.00)

We love to see Smokin’ Romans having another go at the Melbourne Cup. He doesn’t have much chance of winning, but finishing in the top 10 would be a success for connections.

(13) Changingoftheguard ($91.00)

He won at Randwick three starts back against a small field, but his form since has been only fair. Drawing barrier 24 could be the nail in the coffin.

(14) Half Yours ($6.50)

The Caulfield Cup winner, who had the right run, but he put them away stylishly. There is no chance we’re leaving him out of our picks, and he could repeat with Without a Fight did most recently in 2023.

Stretching to 3200m for the first time is the only reason we don’t have him on top, but he settles during his races, and Half Yours winning by two lengths wouldn’t shock us.

He is a must include in all Melbourne Cup tips.

(15) More Felons ($81.00)

Chris Waller has pulled off some unlikely results, but this would be up there. More Felons has yet to win or place over two miles, and we can’t see that changing.

(16) Onesmoothoperator ($19.00)

The Geelong Cup winner got back to his best form last start, but we’re not fans of the $19. His two-mile efforts have been only fair, and we think he’s under the odds.

Punters will be keen to include him in multiples, but there are better bets in this race.

(17) Further ($21.00)

Further opened at $15 and is drifting as we speak. His form this season hasn’t been at the top level, and although he fits the profile of a European four-year-old, he’s not as dynamic as the likes of Rekindling and Cross Counter.

Rain doesn’t help his chances either, so we’re not including him in our Melbourne Cup picks.

(18) Parchment Party ($46.00)

American form on dirt doesn’t usually bode well for turf racing. He’s an interesting runner, and good on connections for coming to Australia.

However, jockey John Velazquez could get a rude awakening to how Australian races are run, and we can’t see him figuring in the finish.

(19) Athabascan ($91.00)

He ran better last start when second at The Valley, but that’s not the best Melbourne Cup guide. The odds are big, and that’s with good season.

(20) Goodie Two Shoes ($41.00)

Punters should always be wary of a Joseph O’Brien runner, and she is good enough to run well. She comes in fresh, but she finds form early in her preparation.

She was beaten five lengths in her most recent race, which is concerning, but her overall record is good, and she could run well at odds.

(21) River of Stars ($16.00)

The Chris Waller-trained mare is only a four-time winner, but her run for second in the Caulfield Cup was enormous.

She soaked up the early pace and was the only on-pace runner at the finish. That was a big form reversal, and Waller has her primed for a big showing.

Include River of Stars in your Melbourne Cup exotics.

(22) Royal Supremacy ($34.00)

He knows how to win races, but this level might be too much for him. Robbie Dolan is seeking consecutive Melbourne Cups, which would be a big story. However, we can’t see it happening this time.

(23) Torranzino (Best Roughie – $31.00)

The Australian is going under the radar at $31. He comes off a Geelong Cup win when beating Gilded Water, which shouldn’t be overlooked.

We like the way he battled into second behind Valiant King at Flemington his start prior, and we believe that’s the best form guide for the Melbourne Cup.

$31 is a price we’re interested in.

(24) Valiant King (Best Bet – $8.00)

Valiant King is our best Melbourne Cup pick. His run two back was top-shelf, and he was hitting the line with purpose to place in the Caulfield Cup.

There is a sense of timing with the six-year-old for Waller, and although he’s only a two-time winner, his form has improved significantly this season.

51kg on his back is ideal, and he will give punters a great sight. He will settle back and make his run down the long Flemington straight.