The Stage is Set for the Race That Stops a Nation

The countdown is on for Australia’s greatest race, the $10 million Group 1 Melbourne Cup over 3200m from Flemington Racecourse this Tuesday. Following the excitement of Victoria Derby Day, the final field of 24 has been confirmed and the barriers drawn, setting the scene for a truly global contest.

 

This year’s Cup showcases international flair like never before, with contenders representing seven countries across four continents including Australia, Japan, Great Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, and, for the very first time, the United States.

A decade after Michelle Payne’s history-making triumph aboard Prince Of Penzance, Jamie Melham is chasing her own place in Cup folklore aboard Half Yours, the Caulfield Cup champion. Trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, the mare will jump from barrier eight as she bids to become the 13th horse in history to claim the Cups double.

 

Cup-winning master Chris Waller will saddle up five runners, while Ciaron Maher lines up three. The barrier gods dealt a mixed hand with Waller’s Valiant King (10), Buckaroo (12) and River Of Stars (14) sit mid-pack, flanked by Maher’s Smokin’ Romans (11) and Middle Earth (13). Maher’s third contender, the Group 1-winning Royal Supremacy, will start from a testing gate 21, partnered with Robbie Dolan, last year’s winning jockey.

Meanwhile, Vauban returns with history on the line aiming to become the first horse since 1988 to capture the Melbourne Cup at his third attempt. Now under the care of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the Irish import will jump from barrier two, hoping local knowledge makes the difference.

 

Ireland’s Joseph O’Brien again leads the international charge. His dual Group 1 winner Al Riffa will start from barrier 19, alongside stablemate Goodie Two Shoes (20) the first Australian runner for global racing powerhouse J.P. McManus. Already a two-time Cup winner with Rekindling (2017) and Twilight Payment (2020), the 32-year-old O’Brien could make it a treble. Fellow Irishman Willie Mullins sends back the ever-determined Absurde, contesting his third Cup after finishing seventh and fifth in the past two years. He’ll jump from barrier four.

 

Adding a new chapter to Cup history, the United States is represented for the first time by Parchment Party, trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott and ridden by John Velazquez, starting from barrier three. The international line-up continues with Japan’s Chevalier Rose (5) for Hisashi Shimizu, France’s Presage Nocturne (9) for Alessandro Botti, and Germany’s Flatten The Curve (17) for Henk Grewe each looking to etch their nation’s name onto the famous Cup.

 

With a world-class field, storied rivalries, and $10 million in prize money on the line, the 2025 Melbourne Cup promises to deliver another unforgettable chapter in sporting history.

Soccer13 Sunday 2 November 2025. Carryover R 1 560 006. R 7 Million (All-13-Correct Pool). Pool Closes at 15h30. Sport 11 Pool 1.

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Carlisle (UK) – 2 November 2025.

Alistair Cohen

There is nothing more exciting than three-year-old feature races. The sequence towards big Grade 1 races starts at Turffontein with the Grade 3 Graham Beck Stakes on Saturday but a day later, Hollywoodbets Kenilworth hosts the Grade 3 Cape Classic over 1400m. With many blank canvases regarding possible targets, who might make the grade and who will not, excitement builds. 

Randolph Hearst has always struck as a horse that could have all the attributes to become an excellent horse. Regular rider and his partner on Sunday, JP van der Merwe has always sung this horse’s praises while trainer Justin Snaith has hinted that he is one of a few to follow from his yard. During winter, he was beaten by his stable companions, Roland Garros and Absolutely Yes, but some factors contributed to his defeat. Mainly a slow pace on 1 June when he found his stride late but Roland Garros held him at bay. A run later, in the Grade 3 Langermann over 1500m, a sodden track compromised him from finding his feet until the very end again.

Recent weather in Cape Town has been perfect and the course seems to be in wonderful condition, having not raced at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth since August. There should be no excuses regarding the going on Sunday.

What may count against him is that he has not run since June so fitness needs to be taken on trust. Bear in mind that this is not his “cup final” either but none of his rivals on Sunday will come into the race fired up and revved up with the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas less than two months away. Hopefully, Randolph Hearst has enough class to go close in all the marquee races on the horizon, starting here.

Aristocratic put in a pleasing performance in the Grade 3 Race Coast Matchem Stakes over this distance at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last month when he finished four lengths behind Questioning in fourth. That run could give him a fitness edge and harden him up, taking on well-performed older horses so soon in the season. Aristocratic seems to have some promise and he is another horse to keep an eye on in the coming months. He should not disgrace himself under Craig Zackey for Dean Kannemeyer.

Absolutely Yes is up on the scoreboard over Randolph Hearst so he cannot be taken lightly. He also seems most comfortable over this sort of distance. He gave the impression that his two-year-old career could be his most fruitful but it would be unwise to judge him until he maintains or loses his form. Muzi Yeni is carded to ride.

Saudi Cat could be anything and this race will indicate whether he is a sprinter through and through or whether he has the capabilities to match it with the best of his generation. He has the most questions to answer but he might be up to the task. Gavin Lerena is to take the ride for Vaughan Marshall.

The supporting feature is the Listed Southeaster Sprint, race 6 over 1100m. The Us Of A has such a positive turnaround at the weights to make him a serious contender. Arctic Wizard is a promising sprinter and he does not have his legs tied up in this race, but The Us Of A beat him in August by nearly nine lengths. He is 4kg better off at the weights. No matter the excuses Arctic Wizard might have had, that swing should be more than enough to give a strong gauge how The Us Of A should fare. His biggest weapon is his turn of foot. He is seriously effective from off the pace. Richard Fourie is sweating to 53,5kg to take the ride for Paddy Kruyer.

Dean Street is a well-performed veteran who is holding form and regularly gives the best he has. He is 3,5kg better off with Arctic Wizard for a 0,5-length beating in September. This is the type of race which fits his CV and possibly his best chance of feature race success this summer. S’Manga Khumalo makes a rare visit to Cape Town to take the ride.

Scottish Kiss has turned the corner and he is breaking through after looking quite moderate at the start of the year. Three wins on the spin has placed him on the map as a lively chance. Although life becomes more difficult as he rises in class, he raises his game with every start. He won his last start despite a slipped saddle through the race, a testament to the desire of horse and rider Callan Murray, who is back aboard.

Laydelay could put her last run behind her when she failed to fire when finishing far behind the promising Calanque. She gets workrider Louis Burke in the irons. Burke rode four winners from five rides in these ranks last season. He is a popular man in these races.

Gallic King has loads of improvement to come from his debut to his second start. He lines up in race 2 over 1200m. He found his feet too late but he finished the race with intent, jumping from a wide gate of No 10. He is a good-looking individual too. Any progress should count him as a winning chance. Louis Mxothwa takes the ride for James Crawford.

Blue Lagoon has been reasonable in her two starts to date but in a shallow race 3 over 1200m, she is picked on top. She had no luck from her wide draw in her last start but she plugged away to finish fifth behind Calanque. If that form is franked earlier in the card, Blue Lagoon will have her chances enhanced. It is not a race to be confident about.

Hazel Green is overdue and she could gain a reward for consistency in race 4 over 1400m despite another wide gate of No 11. She was all over a winner in her penultimate run when touched off by a short head over this distance at Hollywoodbets Durbanville before being turned over by debutante Saachi One in her most recent outing. She is a natural inclusion in all bets.

Stablemates Native Ruler and Okavango have loads to come this season. This is their first outing since the Hollywoodbets Durban July. They compete in race 5 over 1600m. This distance is evidently short of their best but they set such a high standard in this race. Okavango beat Native Ruler in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 by 0,25 lengths when finishing third behind Horse Of The Year, Eight On Eighteen. Native Ruler returned the favour in the July, finishing nearly three lengths ahead. Native Ruler carries 55,5kg which should swing the scales in his favour but Okavango is definitely no mug.

Some promising youngsters are taking on solid in-form rivals in race 8 over 1200m. This trip might be sharp for Star Major but he is held in high regard by James Crawford while Nightrain is a brother to a Champion Sprinter. Both runners are hugely interesting and they could fight out the finish. This race will add some hair to their chests. Street Outlaw, One Liner and Green Garnet are all well performed and they are not without a chance of beating these whippersnappers.

Up In Flames seems to have found the right race to exit the maidens. She is possibly the best bet on the card when she runs in race 9 over 1800m. Van der Merwe is carded to take the ride for Michelle Rix. Her last run confirmed her steady improvement when she made good late progress to finish second behind Sesame over this distance at Hollywoodbets Durbanville in September.

 

RACE 1

10 LAYDELAY is much better than her last run on the 27th of September, she was well beaten by Calanque, the blinkers have been fitted for her race on Sunday, and she drops in trip to 1000m, watch her closely, on her best form, she can certainly win. 1 WHATASTAR has been a touch disappointing of late, she ran a fair race last time from a wide draw at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, there is no doubt that she will improve now that she is up the straight again at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, she could trouble them all in the finish at a decent price. 2 MORFELIHA ran a much better race on the 8th of October at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, she stayed on nicely for third and was only beaten two lengths at the line, if she can build on that performance, she could win a race like this. 4 CRAZY LITTLE THING has run three good races in succession, she must have a good each way chance, include her into all bets. Watch the first timers closely, if they have ability, they will be competitive. (Brandon Bailey: 10 – 1 – 2 – 4)

RACE 2

5 TOUCHED BY ANGELS finished like a train on debut behind Johnny Boy at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the 12th of October, he is a lovely gelding with a great action, there is no doubt that he will improve big time from his first run into his second run, even though it is a competitive race on paper, he will go close to winning. 10 PROTECTOR OF PEACE ran a cracker on debut behind Marcus Aurelius on the 8th of October, he was still very green, and he stayed on powerfully for third in a tight finish, if he can build on that performance, he will have a serious winning chance. 7 GALLIC KING caught the eye on debut in the same race as Protector Of Peace on the 8th of October, he is a lovely looking colt, watch him closely, he can trouble them all late. 13 UMZINGELI WENYATHI ran a cracker at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 15th of October, it was his first run in the Western Cape, he showed good speed early, and stayed on strongly for second behind Freedom Fighter, the blinkers stay on, he will be competitive here. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 10 – 7 – 13)

RACE 3

2 VIXENS WAR had absolutely no luck at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 8th of October, she was drawn badly and she was forced to do lots of work early, even though the race didn’t work out, she still stayed on well for fourth and was only beaten just over two lengths at the line, with some luck in running on Sunday, she will go very close to winning. 4 IONA CASTLE ran a terrific race on debut behind Saachi One on the 18th of October, she ran fourth and was only beaten just under three lengths by the winner, she can only improve, include her into all bets. 6 BLUE LAGOON should love the straight track at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, she has run two great races in succession from bad draws at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, on her best form, she will be right there in the finish. 14 TAYLOR’S VERSION drops in trip significantly, and she gets the blinkers fitted for her race on Sunday, her form is consistent, watch her closely. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 4 – 6 – 14)

RACE 4

4 ROSE WOOTT ran a fantastic race on debut behind Red Beryl at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 5th of October, she was drawn wide on that occasion, and she made up good ground late to finish just over three lengths behind the winner, she is extremely well-bred, and she gets a decent draw on Sunday, if she can build on her debut performance, she will go close in this tricky Maiden Plate. 8 NANNIE GOLD finished powerfully last time behind Star World on the 8th of October, she was eating up the ground late when finishing second, even though she has a tricky draw here, she will love the step up in trip to 1400m, include her into all bets. 11 HAZEL GREEN never runs a bad race, she is as honest as they come, she stayed on beautifully for second behind Saachi One on the 18th of October, if she gets some luck in running from a bad draw, she will be competitive. 1 BOOZY SUSIE must have a big winning chance in this field, she ran a super race behind Midnight Lady on the 18th of October, she caught the eye late for fourth from a bad draw, she will appreciate the step up in trip to 1400m, from a good draw, she will make them all work for victory. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 8 – 11 – 1)

RACE 5

1 CAPTAIN WEST stayed on well for fifth in the Grade 3 Matchem Stakes at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 27th of September, he was drawn poorly and still managed to finish just over four lengths behind Questioning in a strong race, even though he has a big weight to shoulder on Sunday, he gets the perfect draw, and he has fitness on his side, he should run a huge race here. 6 OKAVANGO has been rested for 120 days, he ran a fair race in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, he finished just over six lengths behind The Real Prince, if he doesn’t need the run badly, he could certainly be competitive. 4 NATIVE RULER has been rested for 120 days, he ran the race of his life in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, he was drawn poorly and he was low flying late to finish just under four lengths behind the winner, he is definitely a horse to follow for the Cape Summer Season, watch him closely here, just on ability alone, he could win a race like this quite easily. 8 HAT’S PRIDE has been rested for 98 days, he ran a superb race at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the 27th of July, he ran third behind I Salute You, on his best form, he could upset them all at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 6 – 4 – 8)

RACE 6

3 SARDINIA BAY could be absolutely anything, he showed tremendous speed last time, and quickened off that to win a good race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 5th of October, even though this is a big jump in class for him, he has a great action and he is doing everything right at the moment, with no weight on his back, he could be dangerous. 13 THE US OF A has been rested for 81 days, he was doing some good work late for second behind Elusive Winter on the 13th of August, he is a lovely looking horse with tons of ability, top jockey Richard Fourie gets the best out of this gelding, he will be right there in the finish. 1 ARCTIC WIZARD is unbeaten since being gelded on the 18th of August, he won a cracking race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last time, even though he has gone up in the ratings, he has lots of class and will run a big race again. 7 KAIBOY is much better than his recent start, unfortunately the race didn’t work out for him, and he finished last behind Arctic Wizard on the 15th of October, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be doing some good work late. It’s a tricky race where you can make a case for many horses, go wide. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 13 – 1 – 7)

RACE 7

9 RANDOLPH HEARST has been rested and gelded, he ran a great race behind his stable companion (Absolutely Yes) on the 21st of June, he ran fourth and was beaten just over one length at the line, the gelding should help this individual improve, he has lots of class, if he doesn’t need the run badly, he will go close to winning. 8 ARISTOCRATIC needed his last run back from a small break, he certainly caught the eye late when doing some good work up the straight at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 27th of September, he ran fourth and was beaten just over four lengths by Questioning, he will be much fitter on Sunday, include him into all bets. 10 GOOD FOR YOU ran a superb race behind All The Rage on the 8th of October, it was his first run back after a small break, he showed good speed early and fought all the way to the line to run a good race for second, he should love the step up in trip to 1400m, and he will be much fitter, he could win a race like this quite easily just on ability alone. 7 ABSOLUTELY YES didn’t have much luck in running on the 27th of September in the Grade 3 Matchem Stakes, the saddle slipped and he still managed to run fifth in a strong field, he can be dangerous from the front, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 9 – 8 – 10 – 7)

RACE 8

4 STAR MAJOR returned to racing in great fashion on the 22nd of September at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he ran a cracker from a wide draw when staying on beautifully for fourth behind What A Fortune in a close finish, he is packed with class, there is no doubt that he will be much fitter on Sunday, on his best form, he will take lots of beating in this race. 12 FREEDOM FIGHTER quickened up smartly to win a good race on the 15th of October, he will improve with every start, include him into all bets. 5 ONE LINER must have a good place chance in this field, he ran a good race for third behind Gimmie Rules on the 15th of October at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, he will be just off the speed early, and he will be running on strongly late. 11 NIGHTRAIN has been rested for 64 days, he was forced to work hard to win his maiden on the 30th of August, the form of that race has worked out well, the yard thinks highly of this individual, he will go close. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 12 – 5 – 11)

RACE 9

1 UP IN FLAMES finished her race off powerfully for second behind Sesame on the 13th of September, she has improved nicely with every run, she will be hard to beat now that she is stepping up in trip and she gets a good draw on Sunday. 5 HOMING PIGEON ran a much better race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 5th of October, she stayed on well for third and was only beaten just over three lengths by American Beauty, if she can bring that performance to the track again, she will be competitive. 10 CASSANDRA has been rested for 74 days, she ran a good race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on the 20th of August, she ran second behind De Vlugge, if she can beat the tricky draw, she should finish amongst the places. 7 RARE EARTH disappointed terribly last time, it looked to be the perfect race for her to win, she was very one paced up the lane and finished almost seven lengths behind the winner, she is much better than that poor performance, if she can bounce back to her best form, she will be right there in the finish. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 5 – 10 – 7)