Iconic Irish horseman Aidan O’Brien has nine horses heading towards the ‘race that stops a nation’ and his English St Leger winner Kew Gardens is the 58kg Melbourne Cup 2019 topweight following the release of handicaps.

Last year’s winner Cross Counter will go up 6.5kg for his title defense in the 2019 Melbourne Cup. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The official 2019 Lexus Melbourne Cup weights for the $8 million Flemington feature on Tuesday November 5 were released by Racing Victoria’s Greg Carpenter this week.
Carpenter opted to hand Kew Gardens, last year’s highest-rated three-year-old stayer, with the highest kilos and the Galileo stallion is now at $31 in pre-field Melbourne Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.
“Kew Gardens is the obvious top-weight for the Melbourne Cup,” Carpenter said of the gallop connections have dubbed a “50-50” chance of running in the 24-horse Melbourne Cup field.
Defending Melbourne Cup champion, the Charlie Appleby-trained Cross Counter, has been lumped with 57.5kg rising a notable 6.5kg on the 51kg light weight he carried to victory in the two-mile classic in 2018.
Despite the notable increase the Godolphin-raced champ, who recently ran third in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup (3219m) in late July, remains top of the all-in Melbourne Cup betting markets at $17.
“He’s trying to emulate Archer, Rain Lover, Think Big and Makybe Diva,” Carpenter said of the tough task ahead for Cross Counter to win repeat editions of the Melbourne Cup for the first time since triple hero Makybe Diva (2003-05).
“It’s a penalty for his win last year and an acknowledgment is that he goes from a northern hemisphere three-year-old to a northern hemisphere four-year-old.”
Equal on 57.5kg with Cross Counter is the highest-weighted of the locally-trained runners, the James Cummings-trained Avilius who also dons the famous Royal Blue colours for Godolphin.
Avilius is a $41 shot in the latest Melbourne Cup markets, the six-year-old son of Pivotal having run fourth first-up in the Group 1 Winx Stakes and second in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes.
Avilius and stablemate Hartnell also head the weights for the Group 1 $5.15 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 26 with 58kg.
Looking well-weighted for his third shot at taking out the ‘Loving Trophy’ is Hughie Morrison’s British raider Marmelo – last start winner of the prestigious Group 2 Kergorlay Stakes (3000m) in for the second time – who remains on 56kg.
The Duke Of Marmalade entire ran ninth to Rekindling with 54.5kg in 2017 before his one-length second behind Cross Counter when Hugh Bowman rode him on 56kg (Marmelo actually allocated 55kg) in the 2018 Melbourne Cup results.
Marmelo is the equal $17 Melbourne Cup favourite in futures betting along with Cross Counter and Mustajeer.
The Australian Bloodstock-owned Medicean gelding Mustajeer is a recent import ing Newcastle horseman Kris Lees on the back of an impressive victory in the Ebor Handicap (2787m) at York carting 59.5kg in late August.
Mustajeer is also confirmed for a 2019 Caulfield Cup run with Damien Oliver to ride.
The other placegetter in the Melbourne Cup trifecta last year, third placed Prince Of Arran is also in on the same weight for 2019.
The Charlie Fellows-trained seven-year-old has 53kg once again having failed to win a race since his lead-up Group 3 win at Flemington to make last year’s Melbourne Cup field.
Prince Of Arran is a $31 to go two better and score an upset in this year’s race.
The 2019 Melbourne Cup first acceptances close at midday on October 1.
Click here for the latest all-in Lexus Melbourne Cup 2019 odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.
2019 Melbourne Cup Weights
# | Form (Last 10) | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Ballot | Weight | H. Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 911317x22x | KEW GARDENS (IRE) | H | 5 | Aidan O’Brien | 1 | 58kg | 1.5 |
2 | 0x11511x42 | AVILIUS (GB) | G | 6 | James Cummings | 2 | 57.5kg | 2 |
3 | 12x1x1x43x | CROSS COUNTER (GB) | G | 5 | Charlie Appleby | 3 | 57.5kg | 2 |
4 | 8x212x231x | LYS GRACIEUX (JPN) | M | 6 | Yoshito Yahagi | 4 | 57kg | 1 |
5 | x16x2172x1 | HOMESMAN (USA) | G | 6 | Liam Howley | 5 | 56kg | 3.5 |
6 | x817333x0x | HUMIDOR (NZ) | G | 7 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 6 | 56kg | 3.5 |
7 | 2x2x15521x | MARMELO (GB) | H | 7 | Hughie Morrison | 7 | 56kg | 3.5 |
8 | 7250x1433x | MASTER OF REALITY (IRE) | H | 5 | Joseph O’Brien | 8 | 55.5kg | 4 |
9 | 12x0x1322x | MIRAGE DANCER (GB) | H | 6 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 9 | 55.5kg | 4 |
10 | 37x326441x | SOUTHERN (IRE) | H | 5 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 10 | 55.5kg | 4 |
11 | x33444658x | HUNTING HORN (IRE) | H | 5 | Aidan O’Brien | 11 | 55kg | 4.5 |
12 | 244x21124x | ISPOLINI (GB) | G | 5 | Charlie Appleby | 12 | 55kg | 4.5 |
13 | 712x232x4x | JOHANNES VERMEER (IRE) | H | 7 | Liam Howley | 13 | 55kg | 4.5 |
14 | 220x34421x | LATROBE (IRE) | H | 5 | Joseph O’Brien | 14 | 55kg | 4.5 |
15 | x211x11x1x | MER DE GLACE (JPN) | H | 5 | Hisashi Shimizu | 15 | 55kg | 4.5 |
16 | 4x1x72351x | MUSTAJEER (GB) | G | 7 | Kris Lees | 16 | 55kg | 4.5 |
17 | 192251557x | ROSTROPOVICH (IRE) | G | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 17 | 55kg | 4.5 |
18 | 16x5233x90 | TRAP FOR FOOLS | G | 6 | Jarrod McLean | 18 | 55kg | 4.5 |
19 | 2423x2411x | TWILIGHT PAYMENT (IRE) | H | 7 | Joseph O’Brien | 19 | 55kg | 4.5 |
20 | x21x18482x | MORANDO (FR) | G | 7 | Andrew Balding | 20 | 54.5kg | 5 |
21 | 436013x10x | YUCATAN (IRE) | H | 6 | Liam Howley | 21 | 54.5kg | 5 |
22 | 655x1x34x5 | FINCHE (GB) | G | 6 | Chris Waller | 22 | 54kg | 5.5 |
23 | 546884x12x | GOLD MOUNT (GB) | G | 7 | Ian Williams | 23 | 54kg | 5.5 |
24 | 4341x9x00x | MUNTAHAA (IRE) | G | 7 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 24 | 54kg | 5.5 |
25 | 1x6x237x4x | RAYMOND TUSK (IRE) | H | 5 | Richard Hannon | 25 | 54kg | 5.5 |
26 | 500x15610x | RED VERDON (USA) | H | 7 | Ed Dunlop | 26 | 54kg | 5.5 |
27 | 10x3321x0x | SIXTIES GROOVE (IRE) | G | 7 | Kris Lees | 27 | 54kg | 5.5 |
28 | 11x16511x6 | ANGEL OF TRUTH | G | 4 | Gwenda Markwell | 28 | 53.5kg | 4.5 |
29 | 622008326x | BIG DUKE (IRE) | G | 8 | Kris Lees | 29 | 53.5kg | 6 |
30 | 71x196112x | DOWNDRAFT (IRE) | H | 5 | Joseph O’Brien | 30 | 53.5kg | 6 |
31 | 5x53314x09 | DURETTO (GB) | G | 8 | Matt Cumani | 31 | 53.5kg | 6 |
32 | x2x532202x | MAGIC WAND (IRE) | M | 5 | Aidan O’Brien | 32 | 53.5kg | 4.5 |
33 | 2112x30x80 | NEUFBOSC (FR) | G | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 33 | 53.5kg | 6 |
34 | x1x92321x0 | SHRAAOH (IRE) | G | 7 | Chris Waller | 34 | 53.5kg | 6 |
35 | 32x00x048x | SOUND (GER) | H | 7 | Michael Moroney | 35 | 53.5kg | 6 |
36 | x01327x57x | TORCEDOR (IRE) | G | 8 | Andreas Wohler | 36 | 53.5kg | 6 |
37 | 58x550373x | DESERT SKYLINE (IRE) | G | 6 | David Elsworth | 37 | 53kg | 6.5 |
38 | x931911x78 | KENEDNA | M | 6 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 38 | 53kg | 5 |
39 | x43236Px5x | KINGS WILL DREAM (IRE) | G | 6 | Chris Waller | 39 | 53kg | 6.5 |
40 | 1x46797x90 | PATRICK ERIN (NZ) | G | 8 | Chris Waller | 40 | 53kg | 6.5 |
41 | 138x49x583 | PRINCE OF ARRAN (GB) | G | 7 | Charlie Fellowes | 41 | 53kg | 6.5 |
42 | 54x44x239x | RAHEEN HOUSE (IRE) | G | 6 | William Haggas | 42 | 53kg | 6.5 |
43 | 2221x00x79 | YULONG PRINCE (SAF) | H | 5 | Chris Waller | 43 | 53kg | 6.5 |
44 | 531x21222x | CONSTANTINOPLE (IRE) | H | 4 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 44 | 52.5kg | 4 |
45 | 0x2468223x | DAL HARRAILD (GB) | G | 7 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 45 | 52.5kg | 7 |
46 | 112x122x | DJANGO FREEMAN (GER) | H | 4 | Robert Hickmott | 46 | 52.5kg | 4 |
47 | 840x5516x0 | GALLIC CHIEFTAIN (FR) | H | 7 | Archie Alexander | 47 | 52.5kg | 7 |
48 | 01x6112x9x | GREY LION (IRE) | G | 8 | Matthew Smith | 48 | 52.5kg | 7 |
49 | 322x1713x | IL PARADISO (USA) | H | 4 | Aidan O’Brien | 49 | 52.5kg | 4 |
50 | 11x112131x | MR QUICKIE | G | 4 | Phillip Stokes | 50 | 52.5kg | 5.5 |
51 | 013x121x0x | OUR CENTURY (IRE) | G | 9 | Kim Waugh | 51 | 52.5kg | 7 |
52 | 0300x1170x | RED CARDINAL (IRE) | G | 8 | Kris Lees | 52 | 52.5kg | 7 |
53 | 322287182x | RED GALILEO (GB) | G | 9 | Saeed Bin Suroor | 53 | 52.5kg | 7 |
54 | x444740x70 | SIR CHARLES ROAD | G | 6 | Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott | 54 | 52.5kg | 7 |
55 | 2x11111x4x | STEEL PRINCE (IRE) | G | 6 | Anthony Freedman | 55 | 52.5kg | 7 |
56 | 11514132×4 | SURPRISE BABY (NZ) | G | 5 | Paul Preusker | 56 | 52.5kg | 7 |
57 | 4x68x90x0x | AMBITIOUS (JPN) | H | 8 | Anthony Freedman | 57 | 52kg | 7.5 |
58 | 4542x3335x | BARSANTI (IRE) | G | 8 | Roger Varian | 58 | 52kg | 7.5 |
59 | 15211x | BUCKHURST (IRE) | H | 4 | Joseph O’Brien | 59 | 52kg | 4.5 |
60 | 63318919x | CROWN PROSECUTOR | H | 4 | Stephen Marsh | 60 | 52kg | 6 |
61 | 128x23145x | DASHING WILLOUGHBY (GB) | H | 4 | Andrew Balding | 61 | 52kg | 4.5 |
62 | 1102113x5x | GLORY DAYS (NZ) | M | 7 | Bill Thurlow | 62 | 52kg | 6 |
63 | x8112x5132 | HAKY (IRE) | G | 6 | John Hammond | 63 | 52kg | 7.5 |
64 | 9x818328x4 | HARIPOUR (IRE) | G | 6 | Chris Waller | 64 | 52kg | 7.5 |
65 | 72x21x2x4x | MEINER WUNSCH (JPN) | H | 6 | Takahiro Mizuno | 65 | 52kg | 7.5 |
66 | 2x1635678x | NELSON (IRE) | G | 5 | Liam Howley | 66 | 52kg | 7.5 |
67 | 12x332x70x | POUNAMU | G | 8 | Michael Kent | 67 | 52kg | 7.5 |
68 | 34100x040x | RUNAWAY | R | 5 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 68 | 52kg | 7.5 |
69 | 5x42170x46 | SIKANDARABAD (IRE) | G | 7 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 69 | 52kg | 7.5 |
70 | 3x125161x | TECHNICIAN (IRE) | H | 4 | Martyn Meade | 70 | 52kg | 4.5 |
71 | 57x2111x9x | VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ) | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 71 | 52kg | 4.5 |
72 | 211x36621x | VOW AND DECLARE | G | 4 | Danny O’Brien | 72 | 52kg | 6 |
73 | 1x1850x23x | YOGI (NZ) | G | 7 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 73 | 52kg | 7.5 |
74 | 276x059x87 | YOUNGSTAR | M | 5 | Chris Waller | 74 | 52kg | 6 |
75 | 2x87400x09 | BRIMHAM ROCKS (GB) | G | 6 | Chris Waller | 75 | 51.5kg | 8 |
76 | 0x34000x5x | NIGHT’S WATCH (NZ) | G | 6 | Chris Waller | 76 | 51.5kg | 8 |
77 | 1245253x5x | STIVERS (ARG) | H | 6 | Dermot K Weld | 77 | 51.5kg | 8 |
78 | 22470141×5 | THE CHOSEN ONE (NZ) | H | 4 | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | 78 | 51.5kg | 6.5 |
79 | x111x1276x | TRUE SELF (IRE) | M | 7 | William Mullins | 79 | 51.5kg | 6.5 |
80 | 2x0105110x | BIZZWINKLE (NZ) | G | 6 | Patrick Payne | 80 | 51kg | 8.5 |
81 | 647623x10x | BLUE BREEZE (NZ) | G | 6 | Allan Morley | 81 | 51kg | 8.5 |
82 | 121x128x5x | CASCADIAN (GB) | G | 5 | James Cummings | 82 | 51kg | 8.5 |
83 | 247402255x | IN A TWINKLING | G | 4 | Jamie Richards | 83 | 51kg | 7 |
84 | x364408x9x | LORD FANDANGO (GER) | G | 7 | Archie Alexander | 84 | 51kg | 8.5 |
85 | x0254x319x | MIDTERM (GB) | G | 7 | Michael & Luke Cerchi | 85 | 51kg | 8.5 |
86 | 5x14941x2x | QAFILA | M | 4 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 86 | 51kg | 5.5 |
87 | 3013215x6x | SWEET THOMAS (GER) | G | 8 | Matthew Smith | 87 | 51kg | 8.5 |
88 | 10328x277x | VENICE BEACH (IRE) | H | 6 | Liam Howley | 88 | 51kg | 8.5 |
89 | x33x2x6x6x | WREN’S DAY (USA) | H | 6 | James Cummings | 89 | 51kg | 8.5 |
90 | 6200013x9x | ZACADA (NZ) | G | 7 | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | 90 | 51kg | 8.5 |
91 | 2x8830611x | AZURO (FR) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 91 | 50.5kg | 9 |
92 | 34812x133x | BIN BATTUTA (GB) | G | 6 | Saeed Bin Suroor | 92 | 50.5kg | 9 |
93 | 111890x83x | ETYMOLOGY | G | 7 | James Cummings | 93 | 50.5kg | 9 |
94 | 8888123×13 | GIRL TUESDAY | M | 5 | Chris Waller | 94 | 50.5kg | 7.5 |
95 | 0x5110x785 | MOUNTAIN HUNTER (USA) | G | 6 | Saeed Bin Suroor | 95 | 50.5kg | 9 |
96 | 711575x80x | SELF SENSE | G | 9 | David Brideoake | 96 | 50.5kg | 9 |
97 | 6x0332169x | TRANSACT | G | 4 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 97 | 50.5kg | 7.5 |
98 | 0x4614x93x | ALFARRIS (FR) | G | 6 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 98 | 50kg | 9.5 |
99 | 1214253x0x | ALIFEROUS | M | 4 | Kris Lees | 99 | 50kg | 7.5 |
100 | 11x351424x | ANGEL OF HEAVEN | M | 4 | Kris Lees | 100 | 50kg | 9.5 |
101 | 53145x143x | ATTENTION RUN (GER) | M | 5 | Kris Lees | 101 | 50kg | 9.5 |
102 | 058x255x2x | BASS (JPN) | G | 6 | Liam Howley | 102 | 50kg | 9.5 |
103 | 1x41x33240 | BEAU BALMAIN (GER) | H | 5 | Jim Conlan | 103 | 50kg | 9.5 |
104 | 1x8341469x | BONDEIGER | H | 8 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 104 | 50kg | 9.5 |
105 | 31630x512x | CALIBURN (IRE) | H | 5 | Jamie Richards | 105 | 50kg | 9.5 |
106 | 2x3x14093x | CAPE OF GOOD HOPE (IRE) | H | 4 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 106 | 50kg | 6.5 |
107 | 5147225×50 | CARIF | H | 4 | Peter & Paul Snowden | 107 | 50kg | 9.5 |
108 | 210x8131x | DABIYR (IRE) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 108 | 50kg | 9.5 |
109 | 12x3123x | DIVANATION | M | 5 | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | 109 | 50kg | 9.5 |
110 | x217549x84 | DOUGLAS MACARTHUR (IRE) | G | 6 | Liam Howley | 110 | 50kg | 9.5 |
111 | 86x133238x | EMINENCE (IRE) | H | 4 | Aidan O’Brien | 111 | 50kg | 9.5 |
112 | 6x2x0x692x | EXEMPLAR (IRE) | G | 6 | Liam Howley | 112 | 50kg | 9.5 |
113 | 110x51437x | FAIRLIGHT (IRE) | G | 5 | Kris Lees | 113 | 50kg | 9.5 |
114 | 8825616x0x | GUNDOWN | G | 5 | Michael Moroney | 114 | 50kg | 9.5 |
115 | 3x12619x0x | HANG MAN (IRE) | G | 6 | Michael Moroney | 115 | 50kg | 9.5 |
116 | 21x4520x4x | HARRISON (GB) | G | 7 | Liam Howley | 116 | 50kg | 9.5 |
117 | 16184x0x | HEART OF GRACE (JPN) | M | 5 | Frank Pangallo | 117 | 50kg | 9.5 |
118 | 9239x1662x | HUSH WRITER (JPN) | G | 5 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 118 | 50kg | 9.5 |
119 | 235x55121x | ILWENDO (GER) | H | 6 | Matthew Smith | 119 | 50kg | 9.5 |
120 | 12x141x33 | KING OF LEOGRANCE (FR) | G | 5 | Liam Howley | 120 | 50kg | 9.5 |
121 | 11027x | LADY YOUNG | M | 4 | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | 121 | 50kg | 9.5 |
122 | 237x41211x | LOOKS LIKE ELVIS | G | 5 | Bryan Dais | 122 | 50kg | 9.5 |
123 | 192x322x2x | MASTER OF WINE (GER) | G | 5 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 123 | 50kg | 9.5 |
124 | x131111x5x | MOSH MUSIC | M | 5 | Archie Alexander | 124 | 50kg | 9.5 |
125 | 6212x | MOUNT EVEREST (IRE) | H | 4 | Aidan O’Brien | 125 | 50kg | 9.5 |
126 | 14x289373x | NORWAY (IRE) | H | 4 | Aidan O’Brien | 126 | 50kg | 8 |
127 | 67x | ONCE WERE LOST (IRE) | G | 4 | Lindsey Smith | 127 | 50kg | 9.5 |
128 | 64x351211x | OUR CANDIDATE (IRE) | H | 5 | Kris Lees | 128 | 50kg | 9.5 |
129 | 53x16639x6 | RE EDIT | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 129 | 50kg | 9.5 |
130 | 1953x4554x | SAUNTER BOY (FR) | G | 7 | Kris Lees | 130 | 50kg | 9.5 |
131 | 11x23727x2 | SCARLET DREAM | M | 4 | Mark Newnham | 131 | 50kg | 6.5 |
132 | 222xF1216x | SOUTH PACIFIC (GB) | H | 4 | Aidan O’Brien | 132 | 50kg | 9.5 |
133 | 22x013x33x | SPANISH POINT (GB) | G | 5 | Liam Howley | 133 | 50kg | 9.5 |
134 | 3219155x9x | SPANISH STEPS (IRE) | G | 6 | Liam Howley | 134 | 50kg | 9.5 |
135 | x26x536x1x | STELLAR IMPACT (JPN) | M | 5 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 135 | 50kg | 9.5 |
136 | 0x56252x9x | SULLY (NZ) | G | 5 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 136 | 50kg | 9.5 |
137 | 8414x0x31x | SUPER TITUS (GB) | G | 6 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 137 | 50kg | 9.5 |
138 | 112x216x2x | SUPERNOVA (GB) | H | 5 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 138 | 50kg | 9.5 |
139 | 1x211x | TARWIN | G | 4 | Michael Kent | 139 | 50kg | 9.5 |
140 | 11x948x | TAVISTOCK DANCER (NZ) | G | 4 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | 140 | 50kg | 9.5 |
141 | 921249x12x | THE GOOD FIGHT (NZ) | G | 5 | Shaune Ritchie | 141 | 50kg | 9.5 |
142 | 53531320×5 | TOP OF THE RANGE (NZ) | G | 6 | Michael Moroney | 142 | 50kg | 9.5 |
143 | 3860x7x07x | US ARMY RANGER (IRE) | G | 7 | Liam Howley | 143 | 50kg | 9.5 |
144 | x772231x6x | VALAC (IRE) | G | 8 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 144 | 50kg | 9.5 |
145 | 1x52390x2x | VERNANME (NZ) | H | 4 | Stephen Marsh | 145 | 50kg | 9.5 |
146 | x220x0404x | WALL OF FIRE (IRE) | G | 7 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 146 | 50kg | 9.5 |
147 | 43x251078x | WESTERN AUSTRALIA (IRE) | H | 4 | Aidan O’Brien | 147 | 50kg | 9.5 |
148 | 11x211x18x | WOLFE (JPN) | G | 5 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 148 | 50kg | 9.5 |
149 | 5431408 | ECHO LAD | G | 3 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 149 | 49kg | 9.5 |
150 | 3x | ENTENTE | C | 3 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 150 | 49kg | 9.5 |
151 | 73x1x | JUST THINKIN’ | G | 3 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 151 | 49kg | 9.5 |
152 | 11x | RULE THE WORLD | G | 3 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 152 | 49kg | 9.5 |