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2011 Emirates Melbourne Cup weights have been released where last years winner Americain has been assigned the topweight for the event with 58kg.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Racing Victoria Chief Handicapper Greg Carpenter today released weights for the 2011 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 1 with French based galloper Americain topweight with 58kg.
The Alain De Royer Dupre-trained stayer will need to emulate Makybe Diva as the only winner of the Melbourne Cup in the past 30 years who has lumped a 58kg impost over the 3200m trip.
Having claimed one of the strongest Melbourne Cup renewals ever contested carrying 54.5kg last year, Americain has been assigned an extra 3.5kg as he bids for back-to-back successes.
The Dynaformer entire is currently quarantined in the UK and will arrive in Australia on September 24.
Fellow internationals Dangerous Midge (57.5kg) and Jukebox Jury (57kg) sit next in the weights.
The highest weighted Australian-trained runner is Descarado. The 2010 Caulfield Cup winner will carry 56kg after being pulled up in the 2010 Melbourne Cup.
Lloyd Williams could possess a number of Melbourne Cup runners as expected with Alandi and Midas Touch each assigned 55kg. Stablemate Linton would carry 53.5kg.
Godolphin raced Campanologist would also carry 55kg.
As expected, internationals make up a solid proportion of the higher weighted horses. These include Mighty High (54.5kg), Red Cadeaux (53.5kg), Lucas Cranach (53.5kg), Lost In The Moment (53kg) and Fox Hunt (53kg).
Australian-trained runners dominate early markets for the Melbourne Cup. AJC Derby winner Shamrocker is the current Melbourne Cup favourite and will carry 52kg while second favourite December Draw has been assigned 50.5kg although is yet to pass the first ballot clause.
2010 Melbourne Cup runner up Maluckyday faces a three-kilo rise at the weights from last years renewal and will carry 54kg.