2025 Melbourne Cup noms released, Revelare to chase free pass

Emerging stayer Revelare is on track for a Melbourne Cup push, with trainer Robert Hickmott confirming he’ll head to Flemington for the Group 3 The Archer (2500m) on September 13.

The five-year-old is one of 120 Cup entries revealed on Tuesday and will use The Archer as a stepping stone to the Group 3 The Bart Cummings, both offering ballot exemptions for the Melbourne Cup. Revelare comes off a Caulfield victory over 2000m, but Hickmott was keen to give him more distance. “He’s two for two here, and… as a wet-weather track there’s not many better in Australia than this place,” he said. “He’ll have that nice solid hit out over a mile-and-a-half.”

Hickmott, who trained Cup winners Green Moon and Almandin, was on hand as the Victoria Racing Club unveiled entries. Among them are champion mare Via Sistina, Oaks star Treasurethe Moment, Aeliana, Sir Delius, and 2023 champion Knight’s Choice. Vauban, now with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, is another high-profile name, joined by his ex-stablemate Absurde, who has been placed in the top seven at the past two Cups.

Willie Mullins has Absurde and Hipop De Loire entered, while Joseph O’Brien, already a dual Cup winner, has two including top seed Al Riffa. His father Aidan has three, including Scandinavia. Global nominations are spread across Japan, England, France, Germany and the USA, with American runner Parchment Party carrying a ballot exemption after his Belmont Gold Cup success. He will be ridden by Hall of Famer John Velazquez.

“The breadth of the nominations from England, Ireland, France, Germany, USA and Japan is probably the widest breadth of nominations we’ve had,” VRC’s Leigh Jordon said. “The depth is really strong, not just internationally but domestically… this year, the 165th running – the first Lexus Melbourne Cup at $10 million – should be fantastic.”

The countdown continues to September 16 when Racing Victoria’s David Hegan announces the weights for the November 4 feature.