Key players
MICHAEL MANLEY runs a rule over some of the key Melbourne Cup players following the release of weights yesterday
KINGS WILL DREAM: The firm favourite for the Caulfield Cup and a guaranteed starter in the race courtesy of his Mornington Cup win in March, has been asked to carry 53kg in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
MUNTAHAA: The English raider, an emphatic winner of the Ebor Handicap at York for renowned trainer John Gosden, has been assigned 55.5kg for the Melbourne Cup, half a kilo more than the Hughie Morrison-trained Marmelo, who finished sixth in last year’s Caulfield Cup and ninth in the Melbourne Cup, having started favourite. MAGIC CIRCLE: The in-form English stayer, who has won his past two starts and will be ridden by Corey Brown, has 56kg. CHESTNUT COAT:AT: The highhigh-class Japanese stayer has 55.5kg in both Cups. KEW GARDENS: Last year the Cup was won by a northern hemisphere three-year-old in Rekindling, who carried 51.5kg. Kewew Gardens, trained by Aidan O’Brien, has been given 53kg. LATROBE: O’Brien’s son Joseph, who trained Rekindling to win last year, has the Irish Derby winner, also owned by Lloyd Williams. The colt has been allocated 52kg. ACE HIGH: David Payne’s Victoria Derby winner is the highest-weighted four-year-old on 55kg. UNFORGOTTEN: Chris Waller’s ATC Oaks winner, who resumed with a breathtaking win in the Chelmsford Stakes this month, is the highest-weighted four-year-old mare in both Cups with 52.5kg. YOGI: He’s got to win a qualifying race to get in but, if he does, with his light weight of 50kg (pending no penalty), he’d be up to his ears inn the Cup. SYDNEY BLUE and THINKIN' BIG: Only two three-year-olds have been entered for the Cup. They are from the Gai Waterhouse yard and have 49kg. SURREY: The son of triplee Cup winner Maybe Diva has been allotted 50kg. WHO SHOT THE BARMAN: : The 10-year-old, who has run in three Cups, has been given 55.5kg. He last ran in 2016, finishing fifth. MELBOURNE CUP (3200m) November 6 Early favourites $ 10 KINGS WILL DREAM $14 Magic Circle, Torcedor $ 17 Cross Counter, Unforgotten, Withhold
$21 Hamada, Muntahaa, Prince Of Arran $ 26 Ace High, Admire Robson, Avilius, Best Solution, Chequered Flag, Chestnut Coat, Cliffs Of Moher, Count Octave $26+ Others quoted CAULFIELD CUP (2400m) October 20 Early favourites $4.60 KINGS WILL DREAM $10 Unforgotten $12 Avilius, Torcedor $16 Count Octave, Latrobe $21 Ace High, Best Solution, Chestnut Coat, Cliffs Of Moher, Emotionless, Folkswood, Humidor, Nights Watch, Our Venice beach, Prince Of Arran, Prized Icon, Sedanzer, Tosen Basil, Wall Of Fire, Youngstar.