Good gate for Half Yours in open 2025 Melbourne Cup field

Tony McEvoy moved a step closer to completing one of racing’s ultimate achievements after receiving a favourable draw for his Melbourne Cup contender Half Yours.

The Caulfield Cup champion has secured barrier eight for Tuesday’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup, and remains the $6 favourite to win the 3200-metre showpiece.

Half Yours tops the Melbourne Cup betting in a capacity field that features several other well-supported chances.

“What this barrier allows us to do is not make any decisions,” McEvoy said.

“At Caulfield we were chasing him a little bit to ride Caulfield, but with Flemington you can be patient.

“If you draw 20 or 24, you’re out there but in the back quarter. We can be midfield and be patient and that is the beautiful thing about a good barrier.”

Elsewhere, Buckaroo came up with gate 12 for Chris Waller, while his stablemates Valiant King, River Of Stars and More Felons drew 10, 14 and 23 respectively.

Waller assistant Charlie Duckworth said they were pleased to commit to the Cup path.

“It is a great result as you take a risk when you’ve got a genuine weight-for-age contender,” Duckworth said.

“We could go to other options but we’re rolling the dice and going in the Melbourne Cup.

“Hopefully he can get a more economical run than last year.”

Racing analyst Trent Crebbin said many of the key runners would be satisfied with their draws.

“Especially the Waller pair of Buckaroo and Valiant King,” Crebbin said.

“Buckaroo covered far too much ground from 20 last year and 12. This year’s race looks more suitable.

“Top jockeys Mark Zahra (Al Riffa) and James McDonald (Meydaan) will have decisions to make from 19 and 22 respectively, especially with nearly a full minute of racing before they reach the first bend.”

Valiant King is a $7 second favourite, Buckaroo sits at $8, and international galloper Al Riffa is next in line at $9.

Ciaron Maher will saddle three Cup hopes, including Smokin Romans, who will carry 54kg after approval was granted for jockey Ben Melham to ride half a kilo above.