Aidan O’Brien’s Irish St Leger winner Order Of St George has been allocated the 58kg top weight for the Melbourne Cup 2017, handicaps for which were announced by Racing Victoria today.
Reigning champion Almandin has been allocated 56.5kg in the 2017 Melbourne Cup weights this spring. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The Galileo entire is one of 31 international raiders among the 140 official nominations heading towards a run in the iconic Group 1 $6.2 million Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday November 7.
The mighty triple Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva (2003-05) was the last winner of the famous two mile classic to carry above 56.5kg to victory when she carted 58kg for her third ‘Loving Trophy’ over a decade ago.
Order Of St George has history to overcome than should the Lloyd Williams-owned galloper make the trip down under this spring after last year’s one-time Melbourne Cup favourite failed to make the trip to Australia 2016.
The second heaviest weighted of the Melbourne Cup horses at this stage is the Godolphin-raced Hartnell (57.5kg) who races this weekend in the Group 1 $750,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
James Cummings’ now prepares the outstanding galloper who ran third in the Melbourne Cup trifecta last year after his second to Winx in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate.
Both the Group 1 $3 million Cox Plate (2040m) on October 28 and the Group 1 $3 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) a week earlier remain options for Hartnell this Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.
Reigning Melbourne Cup winner Almandin has been allocated 56.5kg for his title defence in the world’s richest handicap.
The galloper handed his goliath owner Williams his fifth Melbourne Cup success last season and is the current $15 equal favourite with Admire Deus in pre-field odds at Ladbrokes.com.au to go back-to-back in the race.
Last year Almandin carted just 52kg to victory and will need to be improving 12 months on to successfully defend his title going up notably in weight.
The other top fancy in futures Melbourne Cup betting, Admire Deus is a Japanese import now prepared by Darren Weir who won the race in a mass boil-over two years ago with $101 roughie Prince Of Penzance (2015).
Weir has a total of 17 Melbourne Cup nominations this year and Admire Deus is considered his best chance, the seven-year-old allocated 56kg.
Rounding out the five Melbourne Cup hopefuls allocated 56kg or above for the 2017 edition of the ‘race that stops a nation’ is another Weir chance, Humidor (56kg), who won the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) defeating Caulfield Cup winner Jameka back in March.
Racing Victoria Executive General Manager of Racing and chief handicapper Greg Carpenter announced today that a change in policy would see the Caulfield Cup winner avoid a re-handicap for the Melbourne Cup should they already be allocated 56kg or more.
Caulfield Cup 2017 weights were also released today and Hartnell is the 58kg top weight.
“This is the first time since 2010 that the handicaps for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups have been released on the same day, and we were keen to reinvigorate the famous link between these two great Australian races,” Carpenter said.
Other key Melbourne Cup weights include the Japanese-trained Albert (55.5kg), ATC Derby winner Jon Snow (54.5kg) and the Charlie Appleby-trained Bendigo Cup – Queen Elizabeth Stakes winning European from last season Francis Of Assisi (54kg).
The heaviest weighted mare heading into the Melbourne Cup meanwhile is the Nick Olive-trained Single Gaze (53kg).
Check out the full Melbourne Cup 2017 weights below before heading to Ladbrokes.com.au for updated odds on the famous Flemington Race 7.
2017 Melbourne Cup Weights
Flemington Race 7 – 07/11/2017
| # | Form (Last 10) | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Ballot | Weight | Hcp. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1234×21211 | ORDER OF ST GEORGE (IRE) | H | 6 | Aidan O’Brien | 1 | 58kg | 1.5 |
| 2 | 23x2822x1x | HARTNELL (GB) | G | 7 | James Cummings | 2 | 57.5kg | 2 |
| 3 | x665111x2x | ALMANDIN (GER) | G | 8 | Robert Hickmott | 3 | 56.5kg | 3 |
| 4 | 39x260x34x | ADMIRE DEUS (JPN) | H | 7 | Darren Weir | 4 | 56kg | 3.5 |
| 5 | x42212x68x | HUMIDOR (NZ) | G | 5 | Darren Weir | 5 | 56kg | 3.5 |
| 6 | 46x2171x5x | ALBERT (JPN) | H | 7 | Noriyuki Hori | 6 | 55.5kg | 4 |
| 7 | 181x37x01x | GAILO CHOP (FR) | G | 7 | Darren Weir | 7 | 55.5kg | 4 |
| 8 | 12x3361x8x | SENSE OF OCCASION | G | 7 | Kris Lees | 8 | 55.5kg | 4 |
| 9 | 242x11711x | TIBERIAN (FR) | H | 6 | Alain Couetil | 9 | 55.5kg | 4 |
| 10 | 13212x322x | BARSANTI (IRE) | G | 6 | Roger Varian | 10 | 55kg | 4.5 |
| 11 | 1x4011115x | GINGERNUTS (NZ) | G | 4 | Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards | 11 | 55kg | 3 |
| 12 | 1232x1521x | MARMELO (GB) | H | 5 | Hughie Morrison | 12 | 55kg | 4.5 |
| 13 | 2114x9066x | PRIZE MONEY (GB) | G | 5 | Saeed Bin Suroor | 13 | 55kg | 4.5 |
| 14 | 1132x11x5x | RED CARDINAL (IRE) | G | 6 | Andreas Wohler | 14 | 55kg | 4.5 |
| 15 | 61x00x518x | TAVAGO (NZ) | G | 5 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 15 | 55kg | 4.5 |
| 16 | 1x3x45712x | JOHANNES VERMEER (IRE) | H | 5 | Aidan O’Brien | 16 | 54.5kg | 5 |
| 17 | 3337311x6x | JON SNOW (NZ) | H | 4 | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | 17 | 54.5kg | 3.5 |
| 18 | x11x330x9x | BONDI BEACH (IRE) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott | 18 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 19 | 0x46x11x8x | FRANCIS OF ASSISI (IRE) | G | 8 | Charlie Appleby | 19 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 20 | 10x8747x46 | HE’S OUR ROKKII (NZ) | G | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 20 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 21 | 1x2x30x91x | MAX DYNAMITE (FR) | G | 8 | William Mullins | 21 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 22 | 114407x5x8 | SIR ISAAC NEWTON (GB) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott | 22 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 23 | 1130x22x3x | ST MICHEL (GB) | H | 5 | Sir Mark Prescott | 23 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 24 | 1211x12x9L | STAR EXHIBIT | G | 6 | Darren Weir | 24 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 25 | x37710x24x | TALLY | G | 5 | James Cummings | 25 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 26 | 01121x5x7x | VENTURA STORM (IRE) | H | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 26 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 27 | 55x3642x9x | WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (NZ) | G | 9 | Chris Waller | 27 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 28 | 10×8142444 | WICKLOW BRAVE (GB) | G | 9 | William Mullins | 28 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 29 | 1121113×55 | BIG DUKE (IRE) | G | 6 | Darren Weir | 29 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 30 | 131x616x6x | DAL HARRAILD (GB) | G | 5 | William Haggas | 30 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 31 | 7x2357371x | DYLAN MOUTH (IRE) | H | 7 | Marco Botti | 31 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 32 | 33x5126x6x | INFERENCE | H | 4 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 32 | 53.5kg | 4.5 |
| 33 | 428×320386 | US ARMY RANGER (IRE) | H | 5 | Aidan O’Brien | 33 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 34 | 9210x71x0x | ASSIGN (IRE) | G | 7 | Robert Hickmott | 34 | 53kg | 6.5 |
| 35 | 1x37301x3x | CHOCANTE (NZ) | G | 5 | Stephen Marsh | 35 | 53kg | 6.5 |
| 36 | 9x031x270x | GALLANTE (IRE) | G | 7 | Robert Hickmott | 36 | 53kg | 6.5 |
| 37 | 80x621x02x | GUARDINI (FR) | H | 7 | Darren Weir | 37 | 53kg | 6.5 |
| 38 | 2x8746Px6x | LIBRAN (IRE) | G | 7 | Chris Waller | 38 | 53kg | 6.5 |
| 39 | 202x024x1x | NAKEETA (GB) | G | 7 | Iain Jardine | 39 | 53kg | 6.5 |
| 40 | 22x141x40x | QEWY (IRE) | G | 8 | Charlie Appleby | 40 | 53kg | 6.5 |
| 41 | 1642x6574x | RED VERDON (USA) | H | 5 | Ed Dunlop | 41 | 53kg | 6.5 |
| 42 | 0312612x0x | SINGLE GAZE | M | 5 | Nick Olive | 42 | 53kg | 5 |
| 43 | 1x212411x1 | STAMPEDE | H | 5 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 43 | 53kg | 6.5 |
| 44 | 11x333233x | TRAVELLING MAN (GB) | G | 5 | Freddy Head | 44 | 53kg | 6.5 |
| 45 | 11x6248x2x | WALL OF FIRE (IRE) | H | 5 | Hugo Palmer | 45 | 53kg | 6.5 |
| 46 | 771135104x | ANNUS MIRABILIS (IRE) | G | 7 | Stuart Webb | 46 | 52.5kg | 7 |
| 47 | 2x1240x54x | ANTONIO GIUSEPPE (NZ) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 47 | 52.5kg | 7 |
| 48 | 45x12x323x | APILOBAR (FR) | H | 5 | Markus & Stephanie Nigge | 48 | 52.5kg | 7 |
| 49 | x5P31111x1 | BONNEVAL (NZ) | M | 4 | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | 49 | 52.5kg | 4 |
| 50 | 12652x577x | HARPER’S CHOICE | H | 4 | Gerald Ryan | 50 | 52.5kg | 5.5 |
| 51 | 282x060x0x | SEABURGE | H | 4 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 51 | 52.5kg | 5.5 |
| 52 | 0x0D71x000 | AMRALAH (IRE) | H | 8 | Robert Hickmott | 52 | 52kg | 7.5 |
| 53 | 1516510×39 | BOOM TIME | H | 6 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 53 | 52kg | 7.5 |
| 54 | 9P01712x7x | THOMAS HOBSON (GB) | G | 8 | William Mullins | 54 | 52kg | 7.5 |
| 55 | 5x5174126x | VOLATILE MIX (NZ) | H | 4 | Darren Weir | 55 | 52kg | 6 |
| 56 | 1x6D130x9x | YANKEE ROSE | M | 4 | David Vandyke | 56 | 52kg | 4.5 |
| 57 | 11x8400x72 | ABBEY MARIE | M | 5 | Michael Kent | 57 | 51.5kg | 6.5 |
| 58 | 7x39x12x1x | ALOFT (IRE) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott | 58 | 51.5kg | 8 |
| 59 | 0x4231245x | CHANCE TO DANCE (IRE) | G | 8 | Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards | 59 | 51.5kg | 8 |
| 60 | 31x11111x2 | EGG TART | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 60 | 51.5kg | 5 |
| 61 | 16151021×7 | LIZZIE L’AMOUR (NZ) | M | 5 | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | 61 | 51.5kg | 6.5 |
| 62 | 210x14012x | REKINDLING (GB) | H | 4 | Joseph O’Brien | 62 | 51.5kg | 4 |
| 63 | 3x6905x22x | TOM MELBOURNE (IRE) | G | 7 | Chris Waller | 63 | 51.5kg | 8 |
| 64 | 1x4214x83x | AMELIE’S STAR | M | 6 | Darren Weir | 64 | 51kg | 7 |
| 65 | 384x386x5x | HARLEM (GB) | H | 6 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 65 | 51kg | 8.5 |
| 66 | 670x910x5x | HEAVENS ABOVE | M | 6 | Tim Martin | 66 | 51kg | 7 |
| 67 | 027530x00x | LASQUETI SPIRIT | M | 4 | Lee Curtis | 67 | 51kg | 5.5 |
| 68 | 23116x243x | NATURAL SCENERY (GB) | M | 5 | Saeed Bin Suroor | 68 | 51kg | 7 |
| 69 | 86x315111x | PACODALI (IRE) | G | 5 | Darren Weir | 69 | 51kg | 8.5 |
| 70 | 61x2150x7x | WINNING STORY (GB) | G | 5 | Saeed Bin Suroor | 70 | 51kg | 8.5 |
| 71 | 31x073x00x | BERISHA | G | 6 | Robert Smerdon | 71 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 72 | 228x8x017x | DEE I CEE (NZ) | G | 6 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 72 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 73 | x533x0x038 | FOUNDATION (IRE) | G | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 73 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 74 | 33946x140x | HARRISON (GB) | H | 5 | Mick Channon | 74 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 75 | 624x42x32x | KIDMENEVER (IRE) | H | 5 | Charlie Appleby | 75 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 76 | 5x2111x08x | MONTOYA’S SECRET | M | 4 | Leon & Troy Corstens | 76 | 50.5kg | 6 |
| 77 | 9x97860x0x | PENTATHLON (NZ) | G | 6 | John Wheeler | 77 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 78 | 5x137x822x | RED GALILEO (GB) | G | 7 | Saeed Bin Suroor | 78 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 79 | 1412x3x50x | SARRASIN (GB) | H | 6 | Chris Waller | 79 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 80 | 1451x1769x | SWEET SELECTION (GB) | M | 6 | Hughie Morrison | 80 | 50.5kg | 7.5 |
| 81 | 1214x4233x | ADMIRAL JELLO | G | 5 | Kris Lees | 81 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 82 | 2634×54114 | ALWARD (IRE) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 82 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 83 | 172233183x | ANA ROYALE | M | 4 | Stuart Webb | 83 | 50kg | 8 |
| 84 | 1x354965x4 | ANAHEIM | H | 4 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 84 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 85 | 0x5008641x | AUVRAY (FR) | G | 7 | Richard Freedman | 85 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 86 | 1x65123x8x | BROADSIDE (NZ) | G | 6 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 86 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 87 | 2122612x5x | CHARLES ROAD | G | 4 | Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott | 87 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 88 | x89141355x | CHARLEVOIX | G | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 88 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 89 | 22x232521x | CISMONTANE (NZ) | G | 5 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 89 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 90 | 21x5338x1x | COMIN’ THROUGH | H | 4 | Chris Waller | 90 | 50kg | 8 |
| 91 | 5225223x5x | COOL CHAP | G | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 91 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 92 | 1x1x21x32x | CROCODILE ROCK (IRE) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott | 92 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 93 | 23414x0x80 | DARABAD (FR) | G | 5 | Robbie Laing | 93 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 94 | 8583x0800x | DON DOREMO (NZ) | G | 7 | Robbie Laing | 94 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 95 | 9065227×37 | ETYMOLOGY | G | 5 | James Cummings | 95 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 96 | 00x402611x | EUREKA STREET | G | 4 | Robert Smerdon | 96 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 97 | 184260x50x | FANATIC (NZ) | M | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 97 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 98 | 4112132x7x | FIRENZE | M | 6 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 98 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 99 | x830x33x24 | FOUNDRY (IRE) | G | 8 | Robert Hickmott | 99 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 100 | 4121x3811x | GALLIC CHIEFTAIN (FR) | H | 5 | Darren Weir | 100 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 101 | 214x8x | GAUGUIN (NZ) | G | 4 | John Sargent | 101 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 102 | 820x076x07 | GREY LION (IRE) | H | 6 | Matt Cumani | 102 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 103 | 00x4131x59 | HANS HOLBEIN (GB) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott | 103 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 104 | 2x34340x46 | HARLOW GOLD (NZ) | M | 4 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 104 | 50kg | 9 |
| 105 | 36x621x32x | IMPOSING LASS (NZ) | M | 5 | Bjorn Baker | 105 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 106 | x9x1735111 | KELLSTORM (IRE) | H | 5 | Darren Weir | 106 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 107 | 8x2133x02x | KHEZERABAD (FR) | G | 6 | Aaron Purcell | 107 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 108 | x1164x362x | KILIMANJARO (IRE) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott | 108 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 109 | 1x75459x7x | KINEMA (IRE) | G | 7 | Chris Waller | 109 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 110 | 41x122x25x | LIFE LESS ORDINARY (IRE) | G | 6 | Chris Waller | 110 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 111 | 21155x515x | LORD FANDANGO (GER) | H | 5 | Archie Alexander | 111 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 112 | 9520449x0x | LORD VAN PERCY (GB) | G | 8 | Darren Weir | 112 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 113 | 213x00943x | LORESHO (FR) | H | 7 | Darren Weir | 113 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 114 | 000x0x770x | MAGICOOL | G | 6 | Tony Romeo | 114 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 115 | 425x05070x | MANAPINE | G | 6 | Nigel Blackiston | 115 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 116 | 44x306321x | MASTER ZEPHYR (GB) | G | 6 | Darren Weir | 116 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 117 | 624x128x1x | MEGABLAST (NZ) | G | 6 | Nigel Tiley | 117 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 118 | 1483×116 | NIGHT’S WATCH (NZ) | G | 4 | Darren Weir | 118 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 119 | 24x431431x | ONCIDIUM RULER | G | 6 | Michael Kent | 119 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 120 | 2x513x412x | OUR CENTURY (IRE) | G | 7 | Robert Hickmott | 120 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 121 | 85x10x7x4x | PENGLAI PAVILION (USA) | G | 8 | Charlie Appleby | 121 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 122 | x4x8038x9x | PRINCE CHERI (FR) | H | 9 | David Vandyke | 122 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 123 | 14x4197x88 | RAW IMPULSE (GB) | H | 6 | Darren Weir | 123 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 124 | 212x062x0x | REGAL MONARCH (GB) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 124 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 125 | 1x1380x00x | RISQUE (NZ) | M | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 125 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 126 | 4124133x6x | ROCK ON (NZ) | G | 5 | Gary Vile | 126 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 127 | 748x111x7x | ROMAN SON | G | 4 | Anthony & Edward Cummings | 127 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 128 | 41231x2x21 | SAMOVARE | M | 4 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 128 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 129 | x12121123x | SAYED (USA) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 129 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 130 | 5336433×70 | SETTLER’S STONE | G | 6 | Troy Blacker | 130 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 131 | 227x090x5x | SINGING (FR) | H | 8 | Kris Lees | 131 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 132 | 12x41x750x | SIXTIES GROOVE (IRE) | G | 5 | Andreas Wohler | 132 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 133 | 405142142x | SUPER HAZE (IRE) | G | 6 | Tony McEvoy | 133 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 134 | 8x3114x | TAIKOMOCHI | G | 4 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 134 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 135 | 22x0121x6x | TIME TO TEST | G | 7 | Tony McEvoy | 135 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 136 | 0702097x5x | TRANSFER ALLOWANCE | G | 8 | Peter Roche | 136 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 137 | 241x32x11x | UP ’N’ ROLLING (NZ) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 137 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 138 | 482x542x9x | VENGEUR MASQUE (IRE) | G | 6 | Michael Moroney | 138 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 139 | 1513059x | WHEAL LEISURE | M | 4 | Archie Alexander | 139 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 140 | 168x21131x | YOGI (NZ) | G | 5 | Darren Weir | 140 | 50kg | 9.5 |
