Overview
- Steady Monday rain has officials eyeing a soft 6 surface by Cup time, with a possible morning clearing before the 3pm AEDT start.
- A $500,000 Call of the Card bet helped move Al Riffa into outright favouritism at about $7, with the 59kg topweight drawn in barrier 19 for Mark Zahra.
- Half Yours, the only Australian‑bred runner, chases the Caulfield–Melbourne Cup double and brings proven wet‑track form that connections say is decisive.
- Jockey Jamie Melham aims to become the second woman to win the Cup after her Caulfield Cup breakthrough and says the gelding will stay the 3200m.
- The 24‑horse field features strong international representation and big stables, with Chris Waller saddling five runners including Valiant King and Buckaroo.