Melbourne Cup 2025: Al Riffa and Half Yours Take Center Stage Amid Wet Weather
The 2025 Melbourne Cup is set to be a thrilling race, with the field now favoring international horse Al Riffa after persistent rain transformed Flemington Racecourse into a Soft 6 track. Al Riffa, trained by Joseph O'Brien, has become the clear favorite, with Half Yours, an Australian-bred horse, in second place after its impressive win in the Caulfield Cup. The race promises to be a spectacle, with the weather adding an extra layer of challenge for the horses and jockeys.
The Melbourne Cup, Australia's most prestigious horse race, is scheduled for today, November 3, 2025, at Flemington Racecourse. The race day has been a rollercoaster, with heavy rain causing Flemington to be rated a Soft 6, which could impact the performance of the horses. The race is a 3,200-meter sprint for three-year-olds and older, and the field is packed with talented horses and jockeys.
As the race day unfolds, the focus has shifted to Al Riffa, who has been gaining support since the Caulfield Cup winner, Half Yours, took the favorite spot. The rain has added an element of unpredictability, making Al Riffa a strong contender. The race is set to be a close battle, with the French galloper Presage Nocturne also in the running.
The ABC Sport live blog will provide all the action from Flemington, including the Melbourne Cup. Stay tuned for live updates, expert analysis, and insights from the race day. Don't miss out on the excitement as the horses and jockeys navigate the challenging track conditions.
Key Races and Times:
- Race 1: 10:45 am - 2YO G3, 1,000m
- Race 2: 11:20 am - BM80, 2,000m
- Race 3: 12 pm - 3YO Listed, 1,800m
- Race 4: 12:40 pm - 3YO Open, 1,000m
- Race 5: 1:20 pm - BM96, 2,800m
- Race 6: 1:55 pm - Listed, 1,800m
- Race 7: 3 pm - Melbourne Cup, 3YO+ G1, 3,200m
- Race 8: 3:50 pm - 3YO Qlty Listed, 1,400m
- Race 9: 4:35 pm - 4YO+ G3 (mares), 1,400m
- Race 10: 5:15 pm - BM90, 1,400m
