Written by Keely Mckitterick
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
On Tuesday, Racing Victoria's Chief Handicapper, David Hegan, released the weights for the G1 Melbourne Cup, scheduled for the first week of November. Unsurprisingly, the defending champion, Without A Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), has been allocated the top weight of 58.5kg.
Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, Without A Fight hasn’t raced since securing the rare Cup double of the G1 Melbourne Cup and G1 Caulfield Cup. The son of Teofilo (Ire) spent the summer and autumn sidelined with a tendon injury.
Though Without A Fight has returned to the Freedmans' stable, connections have yet to confirm if he will attempt to defend his title.
Hegan told Racing.com, “It has been almost 50 years since a horse carried more than 58kg to victory in either Cup, so history suggests Without A Fight faces a tough task. However, if he returns as the same horse we saw in 2023, then nothing is beyond him, even with the penalty from last year.
“No horse has claimed the Cups double and then returned to win the Melbourne Cup the following year, while only Rising Fast and Poseidon have returned to win the Caulfield Cup the next year. Without A Fight would be in rare air, and I hope he’s able to take up the challenge."
“...if he returns as the same horse we saw in 2023, then nothing is beyond him, even with the penalty from last year." - David Hegan
The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained Fawkner Park (Ire), currently second favourite for the G1 Caulfield Cup, has been allocated 55kg. The son of Zoffany (Ire) has been nominated for Saturday's G1 Underwood S. Meanwhile, G1 Queensland Derby winner Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree {USA}), the current favourite for both Cups, will carry 53.5kg.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained 4-year-old was impressive resuming in the G1 Makybe Diva S. last Saturday, behind Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) and Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai).
Last year’s G1 Melbourne Cup favourite, Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), was unplaced in his first attempt but could return to Melbourne after placing in the G1 Irish St Leger over the weekend. Vauban has been allocated 55.5kg, half a kilogram more than he carried in 2023.
Without A Fight (Ire) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Other potential international contenders include the Aidan O’Brien-trained Jan Brueghel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Illinois (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who finished 1-2 in the G1 English St Leger. Jan Brueghel has been given 54kg, while Illinois has been allotted 53kg.
The Japanese-bred Warp Speed (Jpn) (Drefrong {USA}), a winner over 3000 metres and Group 2 placed, will carry 54.5kg in both Cups if he makes the trip.
Point King (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), who won last Saturday’s G3 Archer S., has been allocated 50.5kg. Meanwhile, last season’s G1 South Australian Derby winner, Coco Sun (The Autumn Sun), is set to run second-up in Saturday’s G1 Underwood S. and has been assigned 50.5kg. South Australian hopeful, The Map (Alpine Eagle), will carry 50kg, while Ciaron Maher's G1 Sydney Cup winner Circle Of Fire (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}) will carry 54kg.
