2014 Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Protectionist will have to carry 58kg to defend his title. The Kris Lees-trained galloper is joined at the top of the weights by Snow Sky.
History is against both top weights, with Makybe Diva in 2005 and Think Big in 1975 the only two to carry 58kg or more to win the Melbourne Cup in the last 40 years.
Snow Sky is the highest rating horse in the field after taking out the Hardwicke Stakes (2400m), but the northern hemisphere three-year-olds could steal the show.
Order of St George was super impressive on the weekend, winning the Irish St Leger (2800m) by 11 lengths. Aiden O’Brien’s stayer has been given 54kg, which is 1.5kg below the weight-for-age benchmark.
O’Brien has four entries and has not had a Cup runner since 2008.
The runner I am most intrigued by is Bondi Beach. The English St Leger winner has been given just 52.5kg. Ascot Gold runner-up Kingfisher has 53kg.
But, as is the case most years, the question is whether these talented horses will make the trip.
After the tragedy of Admire Rakti last year, the Japanese are back with Fame Game, allocated 57kg.
Just four horses in the past 50 years have carried 57kg or more and won, and three of those – Rain Lover, Makybe Diva and Think Big – won multiple Melbourne Cups.
Crowd favourite and perennial Melbourne Cup bridesmaid Red Cadeaux will have a 3.5kg swing on Protectionist, being allocated 55kg.
Precedence may also improve on a career-best sixth placing in 2014, dropping to 52kg this year after carrying 54.5kg last year. However he is one of 71 entries that will have to pass the ballot to secure a start.
Coming from Germany, Our Ivanhowe is Lee Freedman’s ticket back to the Melbourne Cup and the talented import might find his best in November with 56kg.
Other notables include
Mongolian Khan (55kg) – New Zealand and Australian Derby winner and highest southern hemisphere rated four-year-old.
Trip to Paris (55kg) – 2015 Ascot Gold Cup winner and stablemate to Red Cadeaux.
Grand Marshall (53.5kg) – Won the 2015 Sydney Cup in a boilover, carrying 52kg. Won a 2800m race on Melbourne Cup day last year.
Who Shot Thebarman (54.5kg) – 2014 placegetter who drops 0.5kg on his third placing last year.
Hokko Brave (55.5kg) – Another Japanese entrant who is highly rated and has been a fixture of Japanese staying events. Craig Williams is secured for rides in Australia.
Hartnell (55.5kg) – An unplaced favourite in the Sydney Cup carrying 52kg.
Criterion (57.5kg) – The 2015 Queen Elizabeth winner is returning to Australia after campaigning in Europe and Hong Kong.
Big Orange (55.5kg) – English star who won this year’s Princess of Wales’ Stakes and Goodwood Cup.
First acceptances will be taken at 12pm Tuesday, October 6.
Bondy
Guest
Also I have a quire on these " up and coming " 3 yr olds in Open company this spring, getting concerned with the Moody situation too I hope it doesn't go down the Nikolic path which appears likely ....
kv joef
Roar Guru
Age allowance i think Bondy for Red Cadeaux. But Carpenter has given him the chance to equal Shadow King. Mongolian Khan already getting a little nudge ... hmmm
kv joef
Roar Guru
That was very nice of you not to hint about chautauqua's autumn ascendency to the sprint throne Brent ... looking forward to round two this spring :). Terry is back on Saturday and i'm sure The Rup is getting loosened-up. The Buffster is back in action and some young'uns have already volunteered to join in ... should be great.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Dandino just needs to get out to some more distance for us to judge him. But, he's looking ok so far!
What a bore
Guest
Agree, i now think we will see Mongolian Khan in the Caukfield Cup and that wil be that. But very weird indeed!
Bondy
Guest
Mongolian Khan is treated strangely I believe carrying the same weight as Red Cadeaux and an Ascot Gold Cup winner ...
kv joef
Roar Guru
Coolmore is talking about the distance race at Ascot and will probably go there. He is winning by margins and while Sea Moon (yes that sea moon) was beaten a distance in the St. Ledger .. OoSGeorge beat him 7.5 in the lead up ... with 54kg ... very little between all of OBrien's runners when considering the official ratings. i just like the way Fields of Athenry got going again after leading them up in the English St.Ledger. Seems room for improvement but will have to. cup weights ... http://www.racingaustralia.horse/FreeFields/Weights.aspx?Key=2015Nov03,VIC,Flemington
Brent Ford
Guest
Thanks KV. One horse I forgot to mention and who could be an absolute sleeper is Dandino. Carrying 52.5kgs in the Cup. I have also heard that Order of St George is little chance of coming which is disappointing.
kv joef
Roar Guru
Well done Brent, straight into the barriers and ready to go. a few 'sleepers' in this year's cup i think. these euros are getting pretty cagey. James Cummings better check the stable cupboard to see if Bart's playbook has gone missing. speaking of JCummings. keen to see what he has in mind for Ruling Dynasty? Quite liked his last effort.