Weights announced for 123 Lexus Melbourne Cup contenders

This year’s top-weight was assigned to reigning champion Without A Fight who will carry 58.5kg, two more kilos than he was allotted last year. RV’s Head of Handicapping David Hegan explained his remarkable spring last year winning the Caulfield and Lexus Melbourne Cup in dominant fashion played an important factor when assessing his handicap.

Lexus Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Ciaron Maher’s holds 16 nominations for this year’s race including Circle of Fire (54.5kg) who is 20^th in the order of entry. Berkshire Breeze will be hoping for another chance to secure his spot in the Lexus Melbourne Cup in two week's time in the Group 3 Lexus Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington and has been assigned 50kg.

Hegan had to take international form lines and performances into consideration when allocating the weights to the 21 internationals still among the nominations for this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup. Recent Irish St Leger place getter and current Lexus Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban will carry 55.5kg for trainer Willie Mullins with Absurde (52.5kg) and Hipop de Loire (50kg) also still in Cup contention for the Mullins’ yard.

Fellow countryman Aidan O’Brien has nominated six horses for this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup including recent English St Leger winner and second placegetter Jan Brueghel and Illinois who were assigned 54kg and 53kg respectively.

Other international horses to be featured among the weights announcement were Japan’s Warp Speed (54.5kg), England’s Onesmoothoperator (50kg) and France’s Delius (52.5kg). Two-time Cup winning trainer Dermot Weld has nominated Harbour Wind for this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup and has been assigned 53kg.

Horses that have already passed the ballot for this year's Lexus Melbourne Cup after winning golden ticket races include Magical Zoe (52.5kg), The Map (50kg), The Grey Wizard (53kg) and recent Lexus Archer Stakes winner, Point King (50.5kg).

 Sheila Laxon holds two nominations for this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup, 23 years since she made history becoming the first female trainer to win the race that stops a nation® with Ethereal. Alongside her training partner John Symons, Laxon has Knight's Choice (51.5kg) and Mission of Love (50kg) on a Cup’s path.

VRC Executive General Manager Racing Leigh Jordon said the weights announcement was another important date toward the first Tuesday in November.

“The announcement of the Lexus Melbourne Cup weights is an important milestone on the road toward this year’s race that stops a nation which is only 49 days away,” Mr Jordon said.

“Without A Fight achieved an incredible feat last spring winning both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, a feat that had not been done since 2001, so is deservedly assigned this year’s top weight.

“Vauban for Willie Mullins put in a nice run over the weekend in the Irish St Leger with the team adopting a different approach this year in terms of preparation. He will hopefully join a host of other horses to travel to Melbourne, with some of the contenders currently in quarantine in England and Japan.

“Win and you’re in races become important targets for horses and their connections who are looking to book their spot in the race, with three golden tickets still up for grabs in the coming weeks.”

The next opportunities for horses and connections to receive ballot exemption include the Group 3 Lexus Bart Cummings (2500m) on TAB Turnbull Stakes Day at Flemington, the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2 

The 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival begins with Penfolds Victoria Derby Day on Saturday 2 November, followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 5 November, Crown Oaks Day on Thursday 7 November and TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 9 November. For more information and to purchase tickets visit vrc.com.au.

The full list of weight allocations for the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup can be viewed here .