Changes to weight scale for Caulfield and Melbourne Cups

[Wandering Eyes]

The 2024 Melbourne Cup field. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

Racing Victoria (RV), in conjunction with the Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) and Victoria Racing Club (VRC), has today announced key changes to the weight scale for the 2025 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Melbourne Cup (3200m) following an extensive review of the conditions of the two iconic handicap races.

September’s release of handicaps will see the minimum allotted weight for both Group 1 races increase from 50kg to 51kg while the minimum topweight will be raised from 58kg to 59kg.

RV will also reinstate 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 is below the minimum. A minimum topweight at acceptance time was last in place for the Cups in 2016.

The adjustments aim to provide both races with the best chance of attracting the highest quality field of horses and jockeys and ensure owners and trainers have a broad cross section of jockeys to choose from.

The review was announced following the 2024 editions in response to feedback about the spread of weights among acceptors, the challenge for riders to make weights, and the difficulties for connections to engage their preferred jockey.

As part of new industry Racing Forums, extensive consultation ensued with all industry stakeholder groups, including the Australian Trainers Association (ATA), Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association (TROA) and Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA), as well as host clubs MRC and VRC.

In 2024, Kalapour topped the final Caulfield Cup field with 55kg, while Vauban’s 55.5kg made the Irish-trained entrant the highest-weighted horse in the Melbourne Cup field.

The Caulfield Cup saw just five starters weighted at 54kg or above, while the Melbourne Cup had only four horses start with 54kg or more – the least amount in the last five editions.

As a result, it required jockeys to ride at lower weights with four Caulfield Cup runners on the 50kg minimum and eight in the Melbourne Cup, a record number for both races since the minimum weight for horses aged four and upwards was set at 50kg in 2007.

RV Chief Handicapper, David Hegan, 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.”

VJA Chief Executive, Matt Hyland, 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.”

ATA Chief Executive, Stephen Bell, said, “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.”

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