Dan Morton capped a red-letter day in the Group 2 $300,000 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m), quinella’ing the event with stable star Super Smink and able second-stringer In Good Order.
Hayden King
Already foremost in the betting for both the WA Guineas and Northerly Stakes prior, smart youngster King Of Light only enhanced his reputation as he kept his undefeated record intact in the Fairetha Stakes.
Via Sistina once again lived up to the title of the Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington, putting on a show for what is likely to be her farewell appearance from Melbourne racing.
WA’s favourite son Western Empire returns in the Group 2 $300,000 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) at Ascot, with co-trainer Grant Williams declaring the eight-year-old is as good as ever.
Champion hoop James McDonald has no qualms around Via Sistina’s wide alley for the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday as the pair bid to back up their Cox Plate conquest.
Cox Plate victor Via Sistina will have one more run for the campaign when she bids to emulate last year’s feats by capturing the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Jockey Jamie Melham produced one of the Melbourne Cup’s most fearless rides when delivering victory to humbly bred Half Yours, writes The West Australian’s racing expert Ernie Manning.
Ernie Manning
Hear what the jockeys had to say after the 2025 Melbourne Cup.
Last season’s leading Victorian rider Blake Shinn has been taken to hospital after a fall from She’s Got Pizzazz in Flemington’s ninth event on Melbourne Cup Day.
Favourite Gringotts has gone back-to-back in Randwick’s Listed $3 million Big Dance (1600m), again beating Vivvy Air for the second year running and giving his trainer Ciaron Maher the race trifecta.
The glamour of the Melbourne Cup hasn't been dulled for spectators battling cold and drizzly conditions in the lead-up to Australia's most famous race. But they have had to dodge puddles.
Rachael Ward
Bunbury boy Damian Lane gets a chance to realise a teenage dream and complete an unfinished jigsaw in the Melbourne Cup when he rides relentless Japanese stayer Chevalier Rose in the nation’s biggest race.
William Pike chases a fourth Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on Tuesday, partnering $17 outsider Moonwalk in the Listed $125,000 contest for Grant and Alana Williams.
Who are the riders to look out for in Tuesday’s great race? Racing writer Hayden King casts his eye over the hoops who could make the biggest impact.
In-form jockey Mark Zahra will need to rely on all his big race skill when he partners Irish raider Al Riffa in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup (3200m) after the stallion was dealt an unfortunate blow in gate 19.
“Three to go.” They were the words of admiring trainer Bernie Miller after watching reigning WA Horse of the Year Jokers Grin successfully return in the Group 3 $200,000 Prince Of Wales Stakes (1000m) at Ascot
Warm favourite Observer justified his lofty reputation by landing the Group 1 $2 million Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington, dominating the race from the front under red-hot jockey Mark Zahra.
Celebrities from the world of sport and fashion, and even a touch of Hollywood, have turned heads at this year’s big racing days in Melbourne and Sydney.
Kellie Balaam
Autumn Glow is expected to shine brightly in the $10 million Golden Eagle at Royal Randwick but if she doesn’t, Channel Seven icon Bruce McAvaney has picked another strong contender.
Ben McClellan
With a strong upbringing in the racing industry, going back to when his father was a trainer in Albany — emerging young horseman Rory Hunter is daring to dream ahead of one of Australia’s biggest race days.
Cameron Newbold
Observer will enter Saturday’s Group 1 $2 million Victoria Derby (2500m) as one of the shortest favourites in memory as the last start winner attempts to buck the trend of fancies in the race.
The trainer of Melbourne Cup favourite and last start Caulfield Cup winner Half Yours says he’s ‘better than ever’ as the Australian-bred horse attempts to defend an international assault on the race.
One of the favourites for next Tuesday’s Group 1 $10 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington is only a “50/50” chance to take his place in the field with connections hemming and hawing.
The Cox Plate is regarded by Australia’s most astute punters as the nation’s premier race. At weight-for-age, generally the best horse on the day will win and that’s what occurred in the 2025 and final edition.
