Racing Victoria has officially revealed the much-anticipated weights for 101 horses still in the running for this year’s Group 1 $10.2 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m).

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.

VRC Chief Racing Officer Leigh Jordon said the path to this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup is becoming clearer after the announcement of the weights.

“The release of the weights for the 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup represents another significant step towards the race that stops a nation,” Mr Jordon said.

“Our reigning Lexus Melbourne Cup champion, Half Yours, under a masterful ride from Jamie Melham, couldn’t have been more impressive winning the 2025 edition with 53kg and will see an increase in weight this year.”

“With such a strong international contingent nominated for our great race this year, it’s hard to overlook Joseph O’Brien, looking for his third win in the race, already with his biggest set of nominations this year”

“It’s been 20 years since Japan’s famous quinella in our great race, with tough stayer and winner of this year’s Diamond Stakes, Stinger Glass flying the flag for the land of the rising sun”

“As the Lexus Melbourne Cup picture becomes clearer, the importance of win-and-you’re-in races will increase for horses hoping to secure their place in the field, with an exciting few weeks ahead as the final line-up begins to take shape.”

The next opportunities for horses and connections to receive ballot exemption for the Lexus Melbourne Cup are the Lexus Bart Cummings (2500m) on October 3, Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 17 Geelong Cup (2400m) on October 21, Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) and Cox Plate (2040m) on October 24.

The full list of weight allocations and order of entry for the 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup can be viewed here.

Photo: Colin Bull / Sportpix