When the Melbourne Cup order of entry is first announced each year, there are 100s of horses. However, there are only 24 spots in the final field for the race, so the order of entry helps determine which runners are more likely to gain a spot.
Melbourne Cup Order of Entry 2025
Melbourne Cup Order of Entry 2025 Requirements
As one of the biggest Group One races in the world, there is a lot of attention on the Melbourne Cup start list. There are 100s of horses that are nominated for the Melbourne Cup each year, but only 24 horses can compete.
To get from 100s of runners down to just 24, there are many hurdles for the owner of runners to overcome. It is important to understand the order of entry requirements and the system in place because it allows owners to determine the level of competition at each hurdle.
Every time the owner confirms their intentions for the Melbourne Cup, they must pay a fee. So, if they don’t believe their runner will gain one of the 24 spots in the final field, it might be better to put their resources into a different race.
The Melbourne Cup order of entry for 2025 horses was first put together about two months out from the big race. The Racing Victoria chief handicapper will then release the weights of runners entered in the Melbourne Cup, along with the first weekly order of entry.
Runners are ranked in the order of entry by the weight they are handicapped with to carry in the Melbourne Cup, which is compared to the weight-for-age (WFA) scale. In Australia, the scale is as follows:
- 59.5kg - 5YOs+
- 58 kg - 4YOs
- 50 kg - 3YOs
- Mares and fillies - 2kg allowance
Things get a little more complicated with international runners, as this WFA scale is different for overseas raiders. So, looking at the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup is a great way to cut through all the noise and offers a more reliable guide on the runners who are currently more likely to gain entry.
Melbourne Cup betting can get thrown up in the air a little bit when the updated Melbourne Cup order of entry is announced each week in the months leading up to the race. But you can always check out our horse racing tips for the race, and this can provide some guidance, and we even provide details on the best betting sites and betting apps.
While the Melbourne Cup order of entry is an important piece of the puzzle, there are many other pieces that you should be aware of. We provide comprehensive coverage of the Melbourne Cup, including other aspects like the barrier draw, live streaming, tips, and so much more. Make sure you check out that page for further details.
Ballot Exemptions for the Melbourne Cup
While it is important to keep an eye on the Melbourne Cup order of entry in the lead up to the race, some races are exempt from the ballot. If a runner can win one of the qualifying races, they don’t have to enter the nomination system.
Some runners, however, may win a ballot-exempt race and not opt to compete in the Melbourne Cup. For example, when Winx won the Cox Plate on multiple occasions, she never went on to contest the Melbourne Cup.
The races that are currently exempt from the ballot for the Melbourne Cup include:
- The Bart Cummings
- Caulfield Cup
- Andrew Ramsden
- Cox Plate
- Archer Stakes
- Roy Higgins Quality
- Geelong Cup
- Moonee Valley Gold Cup
- Ebor Handicap
- Belmont Gold Cup
Melbourne Cup Order of Entry 2025 - International Runners
The Melbourne Cup always sees a significant number of international runners each year. For an international runner to qualify for the Melbourne Cup, there are some additional hoops they must jump through. This is mainly due to the number of international runners becoming injured when making the trip to Australia.
These days, international runners must successfully complete several pre-export tests to determine if they can compete in the Melbourne Cup without picking up an injury. One of the major protocols is that runners who have previously suffered a fracture or had orthopaedic surgery aren’t able to compete in the race.
International runners must complete a CT scan of their distal limbs before they depart for Australia. Also, if requested by the Racing Victoria vet team, runners must undergo a full body scintigraphy of their distal limbs.
Melbourne Cup Order of Entry 2025 Timeline
As we have previously mentioned, there are multiple hurdles for connections of runners to overcome before they can even think about the final field for the Melbourne Cup. Melbourne Cup entries must be nominated to kick the process off.
While the latest Melbourne Cup order of entry isn’t available just yet and the exact dates for the 2025 timeline aren’t known, these are the key stages in the process:
| Stage | Fee | Date |
| First Nominations | $1,500 | TBA |
| Late Nominations | $5,500 | TBA |
| Handicap Declared | - | TBA |
| First Declarations | $2,000 | TBA |
| Second Declarations | $3,000 | TBA |
| Third Declarations | $4,000 | TBA |
| Final Declarations & Field | $49,500 | Saturday, November 1 |
Melbourne Cup Order of Entry FAQs
At AustralianBettingSites, we have endeavoured to answer all questions related to the Melbourne Cup order of entry. However, if you have any further questions, we have put together this section for you, answering some of the most commonly asked questions about the order of entry.
What is the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup?
The Melbourne Cup order of entry is a list of runners that might compete in the big race. To start with, there are 100s of runners nominated for the Melbourne Cup; this gets narrowed down after each hurdle, until we are left with just 24 runners in the final field.
How does the Melbourne Cup order of entry work?
There are multiple stages for the Melbourne Cup order of entry, and at each stage, the owners of each runner must pay a fee. Owners can gauge how competitive their runner is compared to the rest of the nominated horses and determine if they want to move forward.
Can international runners compete in the Melbourne Cup?
Yes, international runners can compete in the Melbourne Cup. In fact, we see multiple international runners compete in the Melbourne Cup each year. All international runners are subject to additional protocols to ensure they are fit enough to compete in the 3,200m race.
When is the final field for the Melbourne Cup announced?
The final field for the Melbourne Cup will be announced on Saturday, November 1, 2025. After the final field has been confirmed, the barrier draw will take place, and this determines the starting barrier of each runner.
What are the races that are exempt from the ballot for the Melbourne Cup?
There are a few races that are exempt from the ballot for the Melbourne Cup. If a runner can win one of these races, they automatically qualify for the Melbourne Cup; The Bart Cummings, Caulfield Cup, Andrew Ramsden, Cox Plate, Archer Stakes, Roy Higgins Quality, Geelong Cup, Moonee Valley Gold Cup, Ebor Handicap and the Belmont Gold Cup.
How is the ballot order ranking determined?
When it comes to the ballot order, two factors influence how it is determined. Firstly, if the runner has passed the ballot clause (which means if a runner has satisfied one or more of the requirements). Secondly, the runner’s weight allocation for the race, compared to what it would normally carry based on the WFA scale.
Will the order of entry change the odds for runners in the Melbourne Cup?
Yes, it is highly likely that when the order of entry is released each week in the two months leading up to the Melbourne Cup, the odds will change. Win bets are likely the only option available months out from the event, and when the order of entry changes, this will impact the odds across many different horse racing betting sites.
How do horses enter the Melbourne Cup?
Horses can be nominated by connections for the Melbourne Cup each year, usually during the first week of August. The field of nominated horses usually sits at around 200 to 300 horses, and as we get closer to race day, connections of the runner must continue to confirm their intention of running their horse in the race.
What is the Melbourne Cup race order?
On Melbourne Cup Day, there are 10 races. The Melbourne Cup race is the seventh race on the card and takes place at 3pm. There is a bigger gap between the sixth and seventh races to ensure everything is set up correctly for the Melbourne Cup.
Can you bet on the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup?
While you can’t bet on the order of entry, you can bet on the runners that are included in the order of entry. Both established and new betting sites will open up betting markets months out from the race. Closer to race day, there will be plenty of betting bonuses and markets available, including horse racing multi bet markets.