After our St Leger recap we saw which British and Irish horses are still on course for the Cup. One of them remains favourite and has been handed 55kg after the weights were released.
Vauban is the horse in question. Willie Mullins’ galloper has been handed the weight the team was expecting. It seems the best-priced $5.50 shot will head straight to the Cup after landing in Melbourne, without taking in another lead-up race.
We’re taking a look at the weights of the 133 remaining contenders. We see what the top horses have been allocated, along with how it’s affected their Melbourne Cup odds.
Weights Could Yet Be Raised
The minimum weight any horse can carry in the Cup is 49kg. There are a host of horses handed that weight at the latest confirmation stage. The minimum topweight is 58kg.
Last year’s winner Gold Trip has been allocated 58.5kg this time, with the next highest being 56.5kg. If Gold Trip doesn’t turn up, the weights will need to be raised. Mares are given a 2kg allowance.
How Have the Top Contenders Been Weighted?
Gold Trip’s weight shows us just why it’s incredibly hard for winners to double-up in this race. Here are the current top contenders for the 2023 Melbourne Cup, along with their best online odds and allocated weight:
- Vauban. $5.50 (55kg). This is the approximate weight Willie Mullins expected. He will now head straight to the Cup on November 7.
- Soulcombe. $9.00 (53.5kg). Holly Doyle offered her riding services for a horse she knows well from his William Haggas days. Ran fourth on Saturday in the Underwood Stakes.
- Desert Hero. $13.00 (51.5kg). After running well in the St Leger, the young stayer could head here. King Charles will make a final decision soon.
- Francesco Guardi. $15.00 (54kg). Chris Waller’s main hope is improving nicely. He was fifth in the Makybe Diva on September 16.
- West Wind Blows. $17.00 (54kg). Also nominated in the Caulfield Cup, the English galloper is nicely weighted.
- Breakup. $17.00 (55kg). Last seen when well beaten in Japan, he remains on course to go for the race.
Selected Others & Key Dates
Without A Fight (Anthony & Sam Freedman) continues to be well touted. The $21.00 chance has been handed 55.5kg, along with El Bodegon and Spanish Mission.
Willie Mullins’ Absurde has been given 53kg. He is exempt from the ballot having won the Ebor Handicap in England. Others with exemptions are Goldman (52kg) and Lunar Flare (51.5kg).
Although not a ballot exemption, favourite Vauban is 16th on the list. 24 runners can take part in the Melbourne Cup, leaving many sweating on their participation.
Now that we’ve seen the nominations and the weights, we look forward to the declarations. The first declaration is on Tuesday, October 3. After that, further nominations come October 17th and 30th. The final declaration is on Saturday, November 4, along with the barrier draw.
