Levelling the field

Is there a word more closely linked to the Melbourne Cup than “weight”? From punters to pundits, trainers to jockeys, it’s the number that dominates Cup conversations – and for good reason. In racing’s greatest test of endurance, how much a horse carries can define its chance of glory.

The references to a horse’s weight and chances, especially once the final field is declared, reach fever pitch in the days leading up to 3pm on Tuesday, November 4.

The horse regarded as the best handicapped often starts favourite or is well backed.

Throughout the Melbourne Cup’s 164 editions, lightweights and heavyweights have won – including some eyebrow-raising results that would be impossible under today’s more compressed weight scale.

The highest weight ever carried to victory in a Melbourne Cup was 65.77kg, by the legendary Carbine in 1890.

Phar Lap carried the heaviest weight ever assigned to a Cup runner – 68kg in 1931 – but it stopped him. He finished eighth, while the winner, White Nose, carried just 43.5kg, a massive 24.5kg less.

In 1867, the winner, Banker carried only 33.57kg.

Today, weights are far more condensed. In last year’s Melbourne Cup, only 5.5kg separated the lightest and heaviest runners.

The Cup hasn’t been kind to topweights in recent decades. In the past 35 years, only one horse – Makybe Diva – has carried 58kg or more to victory, doing so in her record-breaking third win in 2005.

Racing Victoria's chief handicapper, David Hegan, released the Melbourne Cup weights in September.

His decisions spark debate, as they always do. Some horses will be said to have “beaten the handicapper.” Others will be accused of carrying too much.

Regardless, Hegan’s mantra remains: to be fair and to give every horse its chance.

Hegan, who became the Chief Handicapper at Racing Victoria in 2022, is scrutinised by locals and global interests.

These days, he must assess form from across the racing world.
Last year’s Melbourne Cup was a perfect example of how the handicapping system can create an even playing field.Outsider Knight’s Choice was allotted 51.5kg and defeated Japanese raider Warp Speed, who carried 54.5kg, by a narrow margin.

This year, a key change has been made to how the Melbourne Cup is handicapped.

From September, the minimum allotted weight for the Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup will rise from 50kg to 51kg, and the minimum topweight from 58kg to 59kg.

Racing Victoria will also reinstate a minimum topweight of 57kg at final acceptance time for both races. If no horse meets that mark, all weights will be raised equally. This rule was last used in
the 2016 Cup.

Last year, the then Willie Mullins-trained Irish stayer Vauban was the topweight with 55.5kg.

Under this year’s rules, if the top weight at acceptance time is again 55.5kg, all weights will be raised by 1.5kg to meet the 57kg threshold.

The same adjustment applies to the Caulfield Cup.

Hegan said the goal of these changes is to attract the highest-quality field of horses and jockeys and to give owners and trainers a broader selection of riders.

Racing Victoria made these changes after reviewing the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

The last year review responded to feedback around weight distribution, the challenge for jockeys making low weights, and the difficulty for connections in securing their preferred riders.

Consultation included the Australian Trainers Association (ATA), Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association (TROA), Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA), and the host clubs – the Victoria Racing Club and the Melbourne Racing Club.

Only four runners carried 54kg or more at last year’s Melbourne Cup – the fewest in five years

With eight horses on the 50kg minimum, many stables were left scrambling for jockeys who could ride at that weight or asking riders to strip weight at short notice.

“RV, the host Clubs and key stakeholder groups have all reached agreement on a revamped weight scale for the Cups. We believe the changes are in the best interests of these iconic races and more broadly, Victorian racing,” Hegan said.

“The revamped weight scale aims to ensure that the strongest possible field of competitors are present for two of the country’s most important races, while reducing the physical demands on jockeys so that they can perform at their best.
“These changes also mean that owners and trainers will have greater scope to select the rider of their choice in the Cups. Importantly, opportunities will remain for lightweight riders to showcase their talents on the big stage.”

Victorian Jockeys Association Chief Executive Matt Hyland welcomed the changes, saying they would allow more jockeys to ride in the Melbourne Cup.

“We’re pleased that our feedback has been taken on board and that we’ve been able to work together to reach an agreement that will see increased opportunities for jockeys and greater choices for connections to book their preferred rider,” Hyland said. 

ATA Chief Executive Stephen Bell also backed the changes.

“We want to see the strongest line-up of horses and riders present, and the revamped weight scale encourages this through a greater spread of weights among those competing in the Cups.

This will deliver better opportunities for our trainers to select their preferred jockey in two of our biggest events.”