Melbourne Cup 2025 – Date, Time, Field, Tips & How To Watch

The big race is set. First Tuesday in November. We’ve got the key info, simple and clear.

On this page

• Key Times by State
• How to Watch & Stream
• Field, Weights & Barriers
• Lead-up Races & Form Notes
• Track & Map: Flemington 3200m
• Prizemoney Split
• History & Recent Winners
• Tickets & Getting There
• FAQs

Key Times – Tuesday 4 Nov 2025

Jump is 3:00 pm AEDT. Here’s the local time in each capital.

Final race times confirmed by the VRC on raceday morning.

How to Watch & Stream

• Free-to-air: Nine Network (Channel 9)
• Streaming: 9Now (free account), Sky Racing (sub), Kayo (sub)
• Bookmaker apps: eligible account holders can watch select live vision

Field, Weights & Barriers

Final field of 24 is declared after Derby Day. The barrier draw happens trackside after the last race on Saturday 1 Nov (Derby Day). Full weights are issued by the VRC Handicapper in the lead-up.

Lead-Up Races That Matter

• Caulfield Cup (2400m) – big local form reference
• Turnbull Stakes (2000m) – class/fitness guide at Flemington
• Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) – late form spike race
• Geelong Cup (2400m) – historical Euro lead-in
• Hotham Stakes (2500m) – last-chance Cup ballot-exempt

Track & Map – Flemington 3200m

Start is on the Straight Six, then two full laps. Tempo is key. Slow tempo helps on-pace stayers; fast tempo brings strong closers into it late.

Prizemoney Split (2025)

Total purse: $10,000,000. Minimum payment to every runner applies.

Final splits confirmed by VRC. See official schedule link on raceday.

History & Recent Winners

The Cup began in 1861. The latest winner was a boilover – Knight’s Choice (2024). For every winner and year:
see our full list.

Tickets & Getting There

• Buy tickets: via the VRC carnival hub
• Train direct services run to Flemington on Cup Day
• Driving? Go early. Local parking is tight and signed

Melbourne Cup 2025 – FAQs