Lexus Roy Higgins (2600m) - March 29
Deakin (FR)
5YO Chestnut Gelding
Breeding: Australia (GB) - Dealbata (IRE) (Dubawi (IRE))
Trainer: Phillip Stokes
Formerly trained by two-time Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Joseph O'Brien, Deakin came to Australia in the spring of 2024 and was quickly on the winner's list, winning over 2000 metres at Pakenham. Deakin was a warm favourite for the Lexus Roy Higgins (2600m) and was pushed to the line by Berkshire Breeze. In landing the first golden ticket for this year's Lexus Melbourne Cup, Deakin has been spelled and connections will be afforded the luxury of planning a pathway in the spring to have the gelding peaking on the first Tuesday in November.
Lexus Andrew Ramsden (2800m) - May 17
The second golden ticket on offer is the $304,285 Listed Lexus Andrew Ramsden (2800m). The Map was successful in winning last year's event and earning her place in the race that stops a nation™. While the Lexus Andrew Ramsden has not yet produced a winner of the Melbourne Cup, What A Nuisance won the 1984 Duke Of Norfolk Stakes, as it was known then. A year later he won the Melbourne Cup for trainer John Meagher.
Belmont Gold Cup (3219m) - June 6
First introduced as a golden ticket race in 2024, the Belmont Gold Cup over the two mile journey will again be conducted at Saratoga while the Belmont Park racecourse is renovated. In 2024, the Graham H. Motion-trained The Grey Wizard was a brilliant winner of the the race, coming over the top of the two other grey horses in the race to win well.
Ebor Handicap (2816m) - August 23
On the final day of the famous York Ebor Festival, the Ebor Handicap dates back to 1843. In 2023, it was granted golden ticket status into the Lexus Melbourne Cup, with Absurde winning the race and making the trio to take his place for Irish trainer, Willie Mullins. Magical Zoe (pictured) won the 2024 edition.
Lexus Archer Stakes (2500m) - September 13
The race used to the 'last chance saloon' to qualify for the Melbourne Cup when it was a permanent fixture on Victoria Derby Day but moved to Makybe Diva Stakes day in September for the first time in 2024. Twelve horses have completed the Archer Stakes-Melbourne Cup double. Last year, Point King won the race in it's new calendar spot.
Lexus Bart Cummings (2500m) - October4
Named in honour of the 12-time Melbourne Cup winning trainer, Bart Cummings, golden ticket number six is on offer on TAB Turnbull Stakes Day. Last year saw the MyRacehorse-owned Just Fine set a solid tempo, sticking on gamely to lead over the 2500-metre affair. The last horse to complete the Bart Cummings-Melbourne Cup double was Almandin in 2016.
MRC Caulfield Cup (2400m) - October 18
The Caulfield Cup has long been the traditional lead up to the Melbourne Cup and twelve horses have completed the double in the same year, with Without A Fight being the most recent in 2023. Last year saw the Ciaron Maher-trained Duke De Sessa hand Harry Coffey his first 'major', producing a masterful ride on his 29th birthday. Connections of Duke De Sessa elected not to try and become the thirteenth horse to complete the historic double.
MVRC W.S. Cox Plate (2040m) - October 25
The Cox Plate, while run at weight-for-age, has it's own historical significance when it comes to the Melbourne Cup. First run in 1922, the Cox Plate has been the pathway to the Cup for many horses over its history. Five horses have completed the Cox Plate- Melbourne Cup double with the mighty Makybe Diva being the most recent, winning a historic third Melbourne Cup after winning the Cox Plate. Last year saw the Chris Waller-trained Via Sistina smash the track record in an eight-length romp at The Valley. She did not contest the Lexus Melbourne Cup however she was just as dominant on the last day of Melbourne Cup Carnival, claiming the Group 1 TAB Champions Stakes (2000m).