The Caulfield Cup 2025 Preview
Caulfield Cup 2025 Preview
The Caulfield Cup is one of the big four races, part of the Grand Slam in Aussie Racing. Run over 2,400 metres at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne. Held in October, the race is run under handicap conditions and is open to horses aged three years and older. It’s a key event on the spring racing calendar and one of the richest 2400-metre handicaps in the world.
The famous handicap always generates headlines, with the winner often springboarding into Melbourne Cup calculations. Recent years have seen a fascinating mix of local chances and international stars making an impact. Let’s break down the contenders, assess the form, and unpack the key angles for the Caulfield Cup 2025.
When is the Caulfield Cup 2025?
The Caulfield Cup 2025 will be run on Saturday, 18 October 2025. As always, it headlines the Caulfield Cup Carnival, bringing a carnival atmosphere to one of the country’s premier staying contests.
Race History
First run in 1879, the Caulfield Cup has a storied history stretching nearly 150 years. Over this time, it has evolved into one of Australia’s most cherished and closely watched racing events.
Who Won Last Year’s Caulfield Cup?
The 2024 Caulfield Cup was won by the tough stayer Duke de Senza, who outstayed his rivals with an impressive late burst. Unfortunately, a title defence in the 2025 race has been ruled out for Duke De Sessa with the Ciaron Maher trained stayer suffering a pre-spring setback.
Previous Winners of the Caulfield Cup
Duke de Senza was victorious in 2024. Whilst in 2023, Without A Fight took out the Caulfield Cup before famously completing the very rare Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double. Durston claimed the 2022 edition in a thrilling finish, while Incentivise was dominant in 2021, producing one of the most powerful staying performances in recent memory.
Verry Elleegant took the prize in 2020, displaying her trademark toughness… she would go on to win a Melbourne Cup later in her career.
Past Champions
Past champions include legendary names like Might and Power, Ethereal, and Let’s Elope, all of whom went on to win the Melbourne Cup in the same year. The Caulfield Cup remains one of the biggest betting races of the spring and a showcase of top-class staying talent.
Odds & Tips for The Caulfield Cup 2025
Half Yours, Aeliana and Buckaroo are the early market favourites for this year’s Caulfield Cup.
At this stage and a couple of weeks out from the race our experts at pickabookie.com.au have decided to put Aeliana as the top tip for the race.
She has returned in fantastic order for trainer Chris Waller having been a narrow second to Via Sistina in the Winx Stakes and a solid second to Mr Brightside in the Makybe Diva Stakes. The step up to 2400 metres should be ideal for her and so long as she puts in another bold effort over 2000m in the Turnbull Stakes the Caulfield Cup appears to be her target race of the spring.
The Caulfield Cup Draw
The Caulfield Cup picture became a little clearer after the barrier draw, with the favourite Half Yours landing in the sweet spot down in gate two. That’s a big win for trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy, who’ll be thrilled with how things have fallen into place.
The gelding drops in with just 52 1/2 kilos and now maps to get a perfect run tucked in behind the speed. He showed enough tactical speed in the Naturalism to hold a spot early, and stepping up to 2400 metres should suit and at around $2.80, he’s the clear top pick and hard to knock.
But for punters chasing some overs, Middle Earth stands out as the value play of the race. Pickabookie.com.au has him marked as their best value at roughly $16, and it’s not hard to make a case.
He comes up with gate three, drawn right alongside the favourite, and if he gets out cleanly which he didn’t in the Turnbull — Zahra should be able to stalk the speed and give him every chance to finish strong. He’s been a bit hit-and-miss, but the ability and this looks a much more forgiving set-up.
And for those playing exotics, Vauban deserves a look. He’s with the Waterhouse and Bott team and has been building nicely since arriving in Australia. He’s no stranger to support in big races, having been well backed in the past two Melbourne Cups, and with a couple of wins at the trip under his belt, he’s one to consider at around the $12 mark.
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