There were many monster Melbourne Cup bets flying around on the big Flemington Park race on Tuesday – but not many bigger than the $730k one punter stood to win if one of the 24 runners finished in the FIRST THREE.Â
Punter Loses Out On $730k Melbourne Cup Bet After Horse Trails In LASTÂ
Landing a big Melbourne Cup bet is the stuff of dreams for horse racing punters around the world – but where there were many reported jackpot returns, there are many more losing wagers that ended up in the bin.
Ahead of the November 4th race at Flemington, one such bet for a New Zealand bettor – was seeing them staring at a six-figure payout if their Melbourne Cup runner just finished in the first three.
This Melbourne Cup bet was the last pick of a 12-leg multi that was wagered back in January – with the other eleven selections ALL WINNING.
The remaining leg was on the Chris Waller-trained BUCKAROO in the 2025 Melbourne Cup, with the punter also having the safety-net of the horse having to finish in the first three places to win a staggering $730,000 – with the wager costing JUST $7.41.
Buckaroo Was Sent Off Fancied at 13/1Â
Buckaroo, who was second in the 2025 Cox Plate, was fancied in the market before the race too – being sent off at 13/1, with only four horses priced shorter in the betting.
The 6 year-old was also trained by the Waller team that know a thing of two about winning the ‘Race That Stops The Nation’ – having landed the Melbourne Cup prize money in 2021 with Verry Elleegant.
Plus was also set to be ridden by Craig Williams, who guided home Vow And Declare in 2019 – there was a lot to like about the chances of Buckaroo.
With pre-race the punter saying “I am buying enough beers if this wins without anybody else knowing”
However, hopes of a huge payout quickly turned to despair – and those beers had to be put on ice as BUCKAROO trailed in LAST of the 24 runners – beaten 99 lengths.
With the Jamie Melham-ridden Half Yours winning the 2025 Melbourne Cup – beating Goodie Two Shoes and Middle Earth in the second and third.
Leaving the Buckaroo punter having to ‘saddle up’ again and search for another multi-leg Melbourne Cup bet for 2026.
Full Melbourne Cup Result 2025 – Where EVERY Horse FinishedÂ
- 🥇- HALF YOURS (8/1)
- 🥈- Goodie Two Shoes (40/1)
- 🥉- Middle Earth (25/1)
- 4th – River Of Stars (18/1)
- 5th – Torranzino (30/1)
- 6th – Vauban (20/1)
- 7th – Al Riffa (7/1)
- 8th – Absurde (18/1)
- 9th – Changingoftheguard (60/1)
- 10th – Meydaan (25/1)
- 11th – Furthur (40/1)
- 12th – Arapaho (30/1)
- 13th – Flatten The Curve (20/1)
- 14th – Smokin’ Romans (60/1)
- 15th – Royal Supremacy (30/1)
- 16th – Onesmoothoperator (40/1)
- 17th – Valiant King (8/1)
- 18th – More Felons (40/1)
- 19th – Presage Nocturne (9/2 fav)
- 20th – Parchment Party (60/1)
- 21st – Athabascan (70/1)
- 22nd – Land Legend (60/1)
- 23rd – Chevalier Rose (50/1)
- 24th – Buckaroo (13/1)
- Quinella: 14-20 – $190.50
- Trifecta: 14-20-7 – $8893.00
WATCH: HALF YOURS Winning The 2025 Melbourne CupÂ
The 6 year-old Half Yours become the 13th horse to win both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup in the same season.
With jockey Jamie Melham becoming the first female rider to win both Australian races.
Melham was also only the second lady rider to win the Melbourne Cup. Following Michelle Payne, who won on 100/1 shot Prince Of Penzance in 2015.
Half Yours was only having his sixth career start and has now won four of these and two of the biggest races Down Under.
In the process has already won £3,799,501 in total prize money. Half Yours is 20/1 in the 2026 Melbourne Cup betting odds market to win again next year.
The last horse to win ‘back-to-back’ Melbourne Cups was the mighty Makybe Diva, who won the race three times between 2003 and 2005.
