Victoria to Lift Cups’ Top and Bottomweights

After years of compressed weight spreads in Australia’s most iconic staying tests, Racing Victoria has reinstated the minimum topweight for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, restoring the 57kg benchmark at final acceptance, according to racing.com. The decision reverses a policy in place since 2016 and follows last year’s Cups, which featured unusually low topweights. Kalapour carried 55kg as the highest weighted horse in the Caulfield Cup, while Melbourne Cup topweight Vauban was allotted just 55.5kg. That led to limited weight spread, creating difficulties for many top jockeys unable to make the light riding weights required. Only five runners in the Caulfield Cup and four in the Melbourne Cup carried 54kg or more, while four and eight horses respectively ran at the bottom end of the scale – 50kg – setting new records for the number of runners on the minimum since it was introduced in 2007. From this spring, changes will be made not only to the top of the scale but also the bottom. The minimum weight for both Cups and all Group 1 handicaps in Victoria will rise from 50kg to 51kg, while the minimum topweight will lift from 58kg to 59kg. Racing Victoria said the changes would “provide both races with the best chance of attracting the highest quality field of horses and jockeys” and help ensure a “broad cross section of jockeys to choose from.” It follows extensive feedback from across the industry about the skewed weight scale, the increasing challenge for riders to make ultra-light weights, and the difficulties trainers and owners face when trying to secure their preferred riders. RV’s head handicapper David Hegan said the goal is “to ensure that the strongest possible field of competitors are present… while reducing the physical demands on jockeys so that they can perform at their best.” The updated scale comes after consultation with key stakeholder groups including the Australian Trainers’ Association, Victorian Jockeys Association and the Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association. VJA chief executive Matt Hyland said the new policy would create “equal opportunity to ride in the Cups” and praised the process of reaching a balanced outcome. ATA boss Stephen Bell added that a broader spread of weights would “deliver better opportunities for our trainers to select their preferred jockey in two of our biggest events.” With some of the most accomplished riders previously excluded from these races due to lightweight assignments, the reset offers hope that both Cups will once again draw the strongest mix of horses, riders, and connections.