RV’s Head of Handicapping, David Hegan, assigned 2025 Lexus Melbourne Cup champion Half Yours the top weight of 59kg. The last horse to successfully carry 59kg or more to victory was Rain Lover in 1969. After a strong run in the Group 1 Crown Makybe Diva Stakes, the Tony and Calvin McEvoy gelding is hoping to break the history books on a Cups path.
Lexus Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Chris Waller holds twelve nominations in this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup with ATC Derby-winning mare Aeliana, and Birdman both allotted 58kg.
Last weekend’s Group 3 Lexus Archer Stakes winner Shockletz will carry 51kg for trainer Ciaron Maher, who also holds strong nominations including Light Infantry Man (58.5kg) and Middle Earth (56.5kg).
The 23 international horses still on track for the first Tuesday in November were allocated weights based on Hegan’s assessment of their overseas runs.
Two-time Cup-winning trainer Joseph O’Brien has eleven nominations in this year’s race, headlined by last year’s second placegetter Goodie Two Shoes (55kg), golden ticket winner Defiantly (56.5kg) and dual Group 2 winner Sons And Lovers, the highest-weighted international competitor at 57.5kg.
Fellow international golden ticket winner and Belmont Gold Cup winner Tawny Port was assigned 55.5kg as he aims to become just the second American-trained horse to compete in Australia’s most iconic race.
On the 20th anniversary of Japan’s victory in the Lexus Melbourne Cup with Delta Blues, champion jockey Christophe Lemaire, who won the race 15 years ago aboard Dunaden, will ride Stinger Glass, who has been allotted 57kg.
