<p>The Group 1 Sportsbet Caulfield Cup, run over 2400m at Caulfield, is one of the iconic races of Australian racing. For more than a century and a half, the Caulfield Cup has been an adjunct – the little brother – to the Melbourne Cup.</p> <p>Although the Caulfield Cup has lost some firepower after the growth in recent years of&nbsp; the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival, it remains a great contest worthy of being the richest turn 2400-metre handicap in the world.</p> <p>The Caulfield Cup continues to have an influence on the Melbourne Cup, as it did in 2023 when Without A Fight became the 12th horse to win the Cup's double in the same campaign.</p> <p>This year’s Caulfield Cup has attracted four international competitors from four different countries – England, Ireland, France and Japan.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Caulfield Cup 2025 Preview and Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Track:</strong> Caulfield.</p> <p><strong>Distance/type:</strong> 2400m. Handicap.</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, 18 October, 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Total prizemoney:</strong> $5,000,000</p> <p><strong>First prize: </strong>$3,000,000</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Weather and Track</h3> <p>The Caulfield track was rated a Good 4 on Wednesday. The BOM is predicting only occasional showers for the rest of the week. Bet in expectation of a Good surface.</p> <p>The rail is out 3m. With the prospect of a firmish track, expect the bias towards fast horses on the inside to have an advantage. Monitor the racing patterns earlier in the day. Distance races, such as the Caulfield Cup, should play fair with a good tempo.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Trainers</h3> <p>The Sportsbet Caulfield Cup is a trophy most trainers dream about having on their mantelpiece. Four trainers with starters in this year’s race have previously won the great race. They are: Gai Waterhouse (now training with Adrian Bott), Chris Waller, Ciaron Maher, Robert Hickmott and Ben Hayes.</p> <p>Waterhouse (who won with Descarado in 2010) and Bott saddle the topweight, Vauban. Waller has won two of the past five Caulfield Cups with Durston (2022) and Verry Elleegant (2020). As usual, he has a strong hand with four starters – Land Legend, River Of Stars, Birdman and Valiant King.&nbsp;</p> <p>Maher, with two Caulfield Cups (Duke De Sessa last year and Jameka in 2016) has three starters – Middle Earth, Zardozi and Royal Supremacy. Hickmott, the former trainer for leviathan owner Lloyd Williams, won with Fawkner in 2013. He trains Revelare.</p> <p>Father and son partnership, Tony and Calvin McEvoy, saddle the warm favourite Half Yours. Tony is after redemption for Fields Of Omagh’s loss to Northerly in 2002. English father and son duo, Simon and Ed Crisford trained West Wind Blows to finish second in 2023. They return with Meydaan.</p> <p>Ben Hayes, now training with his brothers Will and JD, trained Boom Time to win in 2017 when in partnership with his father David and cousin Tom Dabernig. The Hayes boys have two runners this year in Bankers Choice and Plymouth.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Jockeys</h3> <p>With the Sportsbet Caulfield Cup clashing with The Everest in Sydney, the pool of top riders is split between the two states.</p> <p>Only two of the 18 jockeys in this year’s race has previously won a Caulfield Cup. Harry Coffey (Zardozi) won on Duke De Sessa and Mark Zahra (Middle Earth) won on Without A Fight in 2023 and Verry Elleegant in 2020.</p> <p>Suguru Hamanaka (Golden Snap) is aiming to be the first Japanese rider to win the Caulfield Cup. Stephane Pasquier (Presage Nocturne) will be the first French rider to win the race; and Italian-born Andrea Atzeni (Meydaan) will be trying to do something the champion fellow Italian, Frankie Dettori, couldn’t do in his many visits to Australia.</p> <p>Jamie Melham rides the favourite, Half Yours. No female rider has won a Caulfield Cup, and Jordan Childs will join his father, Greg, a two-time Caulfield Cup winner, if the longshot Adelaide River can win.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Speed Map</h3> <p><strong>Tempo prediction:</strong> good</p> <p>Rarely is a Caulfield Cup run at a dawdle. The nature of it being a handicap and big field of 18 charging to the first turn to find a spot usually means the tempo is solid. Runs are often made from the 700 metres.</p> <p>Trainer Chris Waller’s imported mare River Of Stars led when third in the Sydney Cup in April. Expect her to take up the running and to make it a true staying test. Bankers Choice, Deakin, Adelaide River, Plymouth and the favourite Half Yours should be pressing forward early. Middle Earth, Revelare, Zardozi and Royal Supremacy also will be racing in the front half of the field.</p> <p>The unknowns are the visitors from Europe and Japan. Absurde has enough pace to be midfield from barrier 1. Expect Meydaan to be holding his place from barrier 5, but Presage Nocturne might be outpaced early. Japan’s Golden Snap is said to be a quirky mare with a mind of her own. Her jockey will be told to let her stride if she wants to.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Point of Interest</h3> <p>Significant gear changes: Interestingly, Zardozi will wear blinkers for the first time. Plymouth will have the blinkers removed. Japan’s Golden Snap wears a tongue control bit to help her top settle.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sportsbet Caulfield Cup Field and Comments<br /> &nbsp;</h2> <p><strong>1. Vauban (FR) 58.5kg (barrier 13) trainer Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott, jockey Blake Shinn</strong></p> <p>First try at a Caulfield Cup after failing in the past two Melbourne Cups. Now trained in Australia, and he was stiff not to win The Metropolitan last start. Has a lot of weight but Shinn is riding in great form.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>2. Prestige Nocturne (IRE) 57.5kg (8), Alessandro Botti, Stephane Pasquier</strong></p> <p>Highly rated French stayer. Five wins from 16 starts, although his Deauville 2500m win last year was on the synthetic. Difficult to get a line on him, but his third the Prix Kergorlay (3000m) suggests he might be a better Melbourne Cup horse.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>3. Middle Earth (GB) 56.5kg (3) Ciaron Maher, Mark Zahra</strong></p> <p>Maher has been adamant this is his top seed for the Melbourne Cup. If so, he needs to run well in a Caulfield Cup. Mahar is a master at peaking his stayers at the right time.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>4. Meydaan (IRE) 56kg (5), Simon &amp; Ed Crisford, Andrea Atzeni</strong></p> <p>English galloper in the hands of smart trainers Simon and Ed Crisford, who nearly pulled off a plunge to win the 2023 Caulfield Cup with West Wind Blows. Meydaan comes here with a similar profile and the Crisfords rate him as good.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>5. Absurde (FR) 55.5kg (1), Willie Mullins, Ben Allen</strong></p> <p>He ran very well for fifth in last year’s Melbourne Cup, beaten 1.7 lengths, for his master Irish trainer. Taking a different tack this year and the pace of the Caulfield race might suit him. His flat form in England has been solid.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>6. Land Legend (FR) 55.5kg (15) Chris Waller, Jamie Mott</strong></p> <p>Last year he ran a bottler of a race for third behind Duke De Sessa and Buckaroo in this race. Carried 53kg, but now has to lump 55.5kg. Needs a fast tempo to show his best as he can get too keen in his races. His 14th in the Turnbull Stakes was better than it looked.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>7. Zardozi 54.5kg (11), Ciaron Maher, Harry Coffey</strong></p> <p>Carried 51kg when she was a good fourth behind Duke De Sessa in this race, and then she ran gamely for fourth in the Melbourne Cup. Trained by James Cummings then, but now with Ciaron Maher. Gets to her pet distance. Some sting out of the ground will suit her. Blinkers go on for the first time.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>8. Adelaide River (IRE) 54kg ( 9) Kris Lees, Jordan Childs</strong></p> <p>Followed his second in the Kingston Town (2000m) behind Birdman with a sound seventh in the G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m). Improving, distanced suits and he can sneak a place.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>9. Banker’s Choice (NZ) 54kg (14), Ben, Will &amp; JD Hayes, Billy Egan</strong></p> <p>Qualified for a Caulfield Cup start by winning the Mornington Cup (2400m) in April. It would be a surprise to see him win.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>10. Deakin (FR) 54kg (7) Phillip Stokes, Daniel Stackhouse</strong></p> <p>Emerging stayer who won the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington in March. Showed he was back to top form with a luckless sixth behind Sir Delius in the G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington. That’s strong form. Races near the pace and 2400m is ideal. One of the top chances.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>11. Golden Snap (JPN) 53.5kg (18), Katsunori Tanaka, Suguru Hamanaka</strong></p> <p>Handicap-class Japanese stayer. Rarely runs a bad race. Her fourth behind Chevalier Rose in the Stayers Stakes (3600m) at Nakayama is her best run at Group level. Reports to be quirky and a difficult ride. Japanese trainers have twice won a Caulfield Cup with Mer Du Glace and Admire Rakti.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>12. Revelare 53.5kg (12), Robert Hickmott, Luke Currie</strong></p> <p>Happy to forget his last-start seventh in The Bart Cummings (2520m) at Flemington two weeks ago. He won the Archer Stakes before that and he drops from 59kg to 53.5kg. Top four chance.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>13. River Of Stars (IRE) 53.5kg (4), Chris Waller, Beau Mertens</strong></p> <p>Second over 2800m at Group 1 level at Longchamp in France this time last year. Bought by Yulong to race here after that, and she did well for third in the G1 Sydney Cup (3200m) in April. Waller has indicated she will go forward and likely lead.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>14. Birdman (IRE) 52.5kg (10) Chris Waller, Teo Nugent</strong></p> <p>Drew wide, got back and didn’t run on as expected when seventh in The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick two weeks ago. Won the G3 Kingston Town (2000m) before that. Waller rates him highly. Respect that.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>15. Half Yours 52.5kg (2), Tony &amp; Calvin McEvoy, Jamie Melham</strong></p> <p>Emerging star. Dynamic with his finishing burst to win the Naturalism Stakes (2000m) on September 20, and then ran home strongly for an eye-catching fourth in the G1 Turnbull Stakes. He’s the horse to beat.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>16. Royal Supremacy (IRE) 52.5kg (6), Ciaron Maher, Robbie Dolan</strong></p> <p>He continued his solid form to win the G1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 4. Has been penalised 1.5kg for that, so has to carry 2.5kg more. Lightly raced and underrated. Jockey won the Melbourne Cup last year on a longshot.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>17. Valiant King (GB) 52kg (16), Chris Waller, Jye McNeil</strong></p> <p>This is his third try at winning a Caulfield Cup. Good sixth behind Without A Fight in 2023 showed signs of his talent. Right back to form winning The Bart Cummings (2520m) at Flemington coming from last off a fast pace. Penalised 1kg. This is harder but Waller has him in form.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>18. Plymouth (GB) 51kg (17), Ben, Will &amp; JD Hayes, Celine Gaudray</strong></p> <p>Runner-up in the G2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) on Saturday. Won the Benalla Cup before that. Barrier 17 will test him.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Caulfield Cup 2025 Racing Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Caulfield Cup Top Tip&nbsp;</h3> <p><strong>Half Yours</strong></p> <p>There’s plenty of historic evidence to suggest that a horse who runs well in the G1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington, usually runs well in the Caulfield Cup. Half Yours was the standout Caulfield Cup horse in the Turnbull, running on from well back for fourth. He drops from 56kg to 51kg and has drawn perfectly.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Caulfield Cup Dangers</h3> <p><strong>Deakin</strong></p> <p>Deakin also run a terrific race in the Turnbull Stakes, finishing sixth behind Sir Delius after having restricted room in the straight. He will race forward and relish the 2400m.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Meydaan</strong></p> <p>The stable of Simon and Ed Crisford almost won the Caulfield Cup with West Wind Blows in 2023. They know what it takes to win the race and they rate Meydaan as the equal of West Wind Blows.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Middle Earth</strong></p> <p>After what seems to be a moderate build up in his spring campaign, this horse gets into a race that suits him perfectly. Trainer Ciaron Maher will have him ready to run a big race.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Vauban</strong></p> <p>He will need to be at his top to win with 58.5kg, but he’s a genuine stayer who will enjoy the quicker tempo of a hectic Caulfield Cup.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Caulfield Cup Roughies</h3> <p><strong>Zardozi</strong></p> <p>Oaks winner who ran fourth in this race last year. Latest form below her best but she has blinkers added and can improve.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Valiant King</strong></p> <p>Impressive swooping home to win The Bart Cummings with blinkers. Sixth in this race two years ago.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Land Legend</strong></p> <p>He ran third in this race last year, and looked a bit unlucky. He can overrace, but Jamie Mott is the ideal jockey to correct that. He looks over the odds.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Caulfield Cup Same Race Multi (pick a combination)</h3> <p><strong>Half Yours</strong> – top three</p> <p><strong>Deakin</strong> – top four</p> <p><strong>Meydaan, Middle Earth, Birdman </strong>– top six</p> <p><strong>Absurde, Vauban, Revelare</strong> – top seven</p> <p><strong>Zardozi, Land Legend, Valiant King, Royal Supremacy </strong>– top eight</p>