Weights have been released for the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double with dual Irish St Leger winner Order Of St George allocated top weight for the Melbourne Cup while Hartnell heads Caulfield Cup weights.
Photo: Ascot Racecourse
The Aidan O'Brien-trained Order Of St George, who is part-owned by prominent Melbourne owner Lloyd Williams, was a nine-length winner of the 2017 edition of the Irish St Leger only last Sunday.
Order Of St George received 58kg in the Melbourne Cup for the second successive year, to have half a kilogram more than Hartnell, who finished third in last year's edition of the big race.
Last year's winner Almandin has 56.5kg after carrying 52kg in 2016 while Australian Cup winner Humidor and Japanese galloper Admire Deus both have 56kg.
Another Japanese performer, Albert has been weighted on 55.5kg, the same as Tiberian while Red Cardinal has 55kg.
Order Of St George is not among the Caulfield Cup entries which leaves Hartnell as the 58kg top weight for the October 21 event.
Under the new handicapping policy announced by Greg Carpenter on the morning of weights being released, Hartnell is one of four horses that would not be penalised in the Melbourne Cup if they won the Caulfield Cup en route.
Almandin, Admire Deus and Humidor are also covered by the new policy.
Click here for the Caulfield Cup weights or click here for the Melbourne Cup weights.
