<p>The <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/melbourne-cup/the-melbourne-cup-2025">Melbourne Cup</a> is nearly here and it’s time to start preparing for the race that stops a nation.</p> <p>As the biggest day of Spring Racing Carnival draws closer people across the country will start picking out their race day fit, organising their office <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/melbourne-cup/how-to-run-a-melbourne-cup-sweepstakes">sweepstakes</a> and figuring out <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/melbourne-cup/how-to-stream-melbourne-cup">where and how</a> they are going to watch the big race.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>1. Consider the Melbourne Cup runners form</p> <p>2. Check out the barriers &amp; racing map</p> <p>3. Assess the odds for each market and runner</p> <p>4. Consider jockeys, trainers &amp; timings</p> <p>5. Track the conditions, weights and international runners</p> <p>6. Head to our Melbourne Cup tips &amp; preview page</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>For those punters who are going to back a runner in this year’s Melbourne Cup, there’s another big decision – how do you pick a horse for the Melbourne Cup?</p> <p>Well for those that need a little helping hand, that’s where we come in. Here at the Huddle, we’re taking a look at how to pick a horse for the Melbourne Cup.</p> <p>For all you Sportsbet punters out there, we’ve compiled a few of the different tricks of the trade that certified horse whisperers employ when picking a horse for the Melbourne Cup.</p> <p>So, let’s pull back the curtain and take a look at what goes into the process of picking a horse for the Melbourne Cup.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>How to Pick a Horse for the Melbourne Cup</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Consider the Melbourne Cup Runners Form</h3> <p>Picking the Cup is often said to be about staying power. Look for runners that finish off strongly at 2400 m+ and have exposed staying form in Group races.&nbsp;</p> <p>Lead-ups like the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate often reveal who handles tempo and pressure - shortlist those that closed hard late and looked like they’d relish the extra trip.&nbsp;</p> <p>Once you’ve got a preliminary list, keep one eye on the markets via our 2025 Melbourne Cup tips and race preview page to see if you’re spotting value earlier than the crowd.</p> <p>Assessing a horse’s <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/news/what-are-sectional-times">sectional times</a> is another way to help get the full picture of a particular horse’s form.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Barriers &amp; Race Map</h3> <p>Mid barriers (about 5–12) often set horses up for clean, no-panic runs - far enough in to save ground, far enough out to avoid the crush.&nbsp;</p> <p>Use likely speed maps to predict who lands midfield one-off with cover; those are the mounts that can peel and build momentum down the Flemington straight.&nbsp;</p> <p>When the draw lands on Derby Day, jump straight to our live <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/melbourne-cup/barrier-draw">Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw hub</a> and reassess any runner whose map has improved.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Assess the Odds</h3> <p>When a horse is listed as a favourite it’s usually for a reason. After considering the form of the runners in the field, have a look at their odds as they are usually a good indication of how things could play out come race day.</p> <p>Of course upsets happen in racing and sport in general and there is always potential to find a diamond in the roughies.</p> <p>Though it still can’t hurt seeing how fellow punters are betting and which horses are being heavily backed. Speaking of which, <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/what-is-the-feed">Sportsbet’s Feed</a> is a great place to do just that.</p> <p>Unsure how betting odds work and need to brush up ahead of the Cup? Our <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/how-do-odds-work-betting">betting odds guide</a> is here to help.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Jockeys, Trainers &amp; Timing</h3> <p>A jockey's skill and experience can significantly influence a horse's performance. An experienced jockey can make strategic decisions, maintain balance, and motivate the horse during a race.</p> <p>Cup-season stables and big-race hoops matter. Look for riders with patient Flemington timing and trainers who peak their stayers third-up or fourth-up into the grand final</p> <p>How do you know which jockeys are the best of the best? By checking out <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/news/best-australian-jockeys">our best Australian jockeys guide</a> of course!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Conditions, Weights &amp; Internationals</h3> <p>Soft/Heavy? Upgrade proven mudlarks and grinding stayers; Firm?&nbsp;</p> <p>Give an edge to turn-of-foot types who quicken when the tempo lifts. Weights still tell a story - lightly weighted progressive stayers can find an extra gear late.&nbsp;</p> <p>Imported runners with Group staying credentials are must-assess - track all of the runners highs and lows with our horse racing experts in the 2025 Melbourne Cup Tips &amp; Preview&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Check Out Our Expert Melbourne Cup Tips</h3> <p>If you don’t have time to do your own research, you can always defer to the experts. Here at the Huddle, we supply Sportsbet punters with Melbourne Cup tips every year and 20254 is no different.</p> <p>Our comprehensive <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/melbourne-cup/the-melbourne-cup-2025">Melbourne Cup preview</a> contains the hottest tips, the latest news and all the additional details you need to help pick a horse for this year’s Melbourne Cup.</p> <p>Alternatively, if you don’t feel like doing any of the above, remember you can always just pick the horse with <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/news/funniest-racehorse-names">the funniest name.</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne Cup 2025 Odds</h2>