24 Runners Confirmed for Melbourne Cup – Trifecta Summary:
- Melbourne Cup 2025 final field confirmed with 24 runners after Sayedaty Sadaty narrowly missed the cut at 25th in Order of Entry
- International trio Absurde, Goodie Two Shoes and Flatten The Curve passed crucial fitness tests to secure their positions in Tuesday's race
- Chris Waller dominates the field with five runners including Buckaroo, Land Legend, More Felons, River Of Stars and Valiant King
Melbourne Cup 2025 Field Finalised After Late Drama
The Melbourne Cup 2025 barrier draw has delivered the complete lineup for Tuesday's $8 million feature, with connections breathing sighs of relief as the final pieces fell into place.
Sayedaty Sadaty's Bendigo Cup victory on Wednesday proved too little, too late, with the gelding finishing 25th in the Order of Entry and missing the cut by a single position.
The most significant news came from the international contingent, with three European visitors passing their final fitness tests to secure their spots.
Absurde from Willie Mullins' stable will jump from barrier four with champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy aboard, whilst Joseph O'Brien's duo Goodie Two Shoes and Al Riffa have both earned their places in the field.
International Runners Set to Challenge Local Hopes
The European challenge remains strong despite recent concerns over horse welfare. Flatten The Curve, trained by Henk Grewe in Germany, secured barrier 17 with Thore-Hammer Hansen taking the ride.
These international Melbourne Cup 2025 contenders bring proven staying ability and Group race form to Flemington.
Al Riffa leads the betting markets from barrier 19, with the Joseph O'Brien-trained gelding carrying 59kg under Mark Zahra.
The seven-year-old enters off solid European form and represents excellent value for punters seeking an international winner.
Chris Waller's Dominant Hand in Melbourne Cup Field
Local trainer Chris Waller has assembled a formidable team of five runners for the Melbourne Cup 2025, demonstrating his exceptional depth in staying horses.
Buckaroo draws favourably in barrier 12 with Craig Williams aboard, whilst Land Legend secured barrier 16 under Brazilian star Joao Moreira.
The Waller quintet is completed by More Felons (barrier 23), River Of Stars (barrier 14), and Valiant King (barrier 10), providing multiple chances for Australia's premier trainer to claim his first Melbourne Cup victory.
Final Field Analysis and Key Contenders
The Melbourne Cup 2025 barrier draw has produced several intriguing storylines for Tuesday's contest. Vauban, trained by the Waterhouse-Bott partnership, secured the coveted barrier two position with Blake Shinn in the saddle. The French import carries 56.5kg and brings excellent staying credentials to Flemington.
Middle Earth represents Ciaron Maher from barrier 13, whilst the trainer also saddles Smokin' Romans (barrier 11) and Royal Supremacy (barrier 21), giving him three chances in the field.
The weights range from Al Riffa's topweight of 59kg down to several horses carrying the minimum 51kg, including Torranzino, Royal Supremacy, and Valiant King. This weight scale ensures competitive racing throughout the 3200-metre journey.
Racing enthusiasts can expect a thrilling contest when the Melbourne Cup 2025 field faces the starter at 3pm on Tuesday, November 4, with the barrier draw providing excellent betting opportunities across the 24-runner field.
The combination of international class and local knowledge promises to deliver another memorable edition of Australia's greatest race.