2025 Melbourne Cup horse numbers cut to 40

The countdown to the $10 million Melbourne Cup continues, with 40 horses remaining in contention after the third acceptances closed on Monday.

The final field for the 3200-metre Flemington feature will be confirmed following the Victoria Derby Day meeting, with several internationals still in the mix — including the first U.S.-trained contender, Parchment Party.

Two-time Cup-winning trainer Joseph O’Brien remains a key player with Al Riffa and Goodie Two Shoes, while the international charge also includes representatives from the UK, France, Germany, and Japan.

Friday night’s Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) winner Onesmoothoperator earned a guaranteed Cup start and a 1kg penalty, taking him to 53kg, while Geelong Cup victor Torranzino escaped rehandicapping.

Caulfield Cup champion Half Yours headlines the Australian hopes for trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy, aiming to become the 13th horse to complete the Cups double. Meanwhile, Chris Waller — fresh off Cox Plate success — still has eight Cup contenders, including Buckaroo, Valiant King, and River Of Stars.

Ciaron Maher has five still in contention, led by Middle Earth and Smokin’ Romans, both safely inside the top 24. Royal Supremacy sits exactly on the bubble in 24th place, with Mark Twain, Birdman, Post Impressionist, and Scary just outside the cut.

Among those chasing a late Cup berth are Sydney Cup winner Arapaho, who runs in Wednesday’s Bendigo Cup, and Interpretation (33), Don Diego De Vega (34), Sayedaty Sadaty (35), and Quietness (38), all of whom need to lift their ballot positions before Saturday.

With just days to go before the field is locked in, Cup betting is intensifying. Find the best odds for the Melbourne Cup at trusted Australian betting sites like Sportsbet, Ladbrokes, and TAB.