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Racing Victoria (RV) has announced significant changes to the weight scale for the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup following an extensive review of the two premier handicap races.
The adjustments, revealed on Wednesday in conjunction with theMelbourne Racing Club (MRC) and Victoria Racing Club (VRC), will see the minimum allotted weight for both Group One races increase from 50kg to 51kg, while the minimum topweight rises from 58kg to 59kg.
RV will also reintroduce a minimum topweight of 57kg at final acceptance time for both events, with weights raised equally for all horses in the final field if the topweight falls below the minimum. This measure was last in place for the Cups in 2016.
The review was launched following the 2024 editions after feedback about the compressed weight spread among acceptors, challenges for riders making weight, and difficulties for connections securing their preferred jockeys.
Last year, Kalapour topped the final Caulfield Cup field carrying 55kg, while Vauban's 55.5kg made the Irish-trained entrant the highest weighted horse in the Melbourne Cup field.
The Caulfield Cup featured just five starters weighted at 54kg or above, while the Melbourne Cup had only four horses start with 54kg or more – the lowest number in the last five runnings.
This resulted in riders having to make extremely low weights, with four Caulfield Cup runners and a record eight Melbourne Cup horses carrying the 50kg minimum – unprecedented since the minimum weight for horses aged four and upwards was set at 50kg in 2007.
David Hegan, RV Chief Handicapper, said: "RV, the host Clubs and key stakeholder groups have all reached agreement on a revamped weight scale for the Cups. We believe the changes are in the best interests of these iconic races and more broadly Victorian racing.
"The revamped weight scale aims to ensure that the strongest possible field of competitors are present for two of the country's most important races, while reducing the physical demands on jockeys so that they can perform at their best.
"These changes also mean that owners and trainers will have greater scope to select the rider of their choice in the Cups. Importantly, opportunities will remain for lightweight riders to showcase their talents on the big stage."
Matt Hyland, Victorian Jockeys Association Chief Executive, said: "The VJA welcomes these changes to the weight scale which will allow all our members an equal opportunity to ride in the Cups.
"We're pleased that our feedback has been taken on board and that we've been able to work together to reach an agreement that will see increased opportunities for jockeys and greater choices for connections to book their preferred rider."
Stephen Bell, Australian Trainers Association Chief Executive, added: "The Caulfield and Melbourne Cups are critically important to Victorian racing and these changes should see both races given the chance to attract their best possible field.
"We want to see the strongest lineup of horses and riders present and the revamped weight scale encourages this through a greater spread of weights among those competing in the Cups. This will deliver better opportunities for our trainers to select their preferred jockey in two of our biggest events."