Jockey Glen Boss has admitted that he was surprised by the 54.5kg handicap that was allocated to Puissance De Lune at the official 2013 Melbourne Cup weights announcement today.
Leading jockey Glen Boss still believes Puissance De Lune is good enough to win the Melbourne Cup despite being allocated a weight of 54.5kg. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Boss has been talking up the Melbourne Cup chances of Puissance De Lune ever since his dominant victory in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival and it appears that Racing Victoria Chief Handicapper Greg Carpenter has been listening, with the popular grey allotted half a kilogram more than what most racing experts were predicting.
The leading jockey said that although he was surprised he has no problem with the weight and said he is still confident that the popular grey is good enough to win the Melbourne Cup.
“He’s got a bit more than I thought but I’ve got a massive respect for Greg Carpenter and his handicapping, the way he goes about things and his knowledge of racing especially around the Melbourne Cup,” Boss told Racing Victoria.
“I was hoping he’d get 53.5kg and I expected 54 but obviously he’s got a very healthy respect for my horse and the way he’s going.
“You’ve got to cop that and I hope he lives up to his expectations.
“I’ve got a healthy respect for what Greg has set him, the bar’s pretty high, but I think he’s capable of doing it.”
Puissance De Lune’s handicap was one of a number that raised eyebrows when the Melbourne Cup weights were released this morning, with a number of experts feeling that Red Cadeaux (56.5kg) and It’s A Dundeel (56kg) were harshly treated while highly-rated import Sea Moon (56.5kg) looks like he has got into the race well.
The full 2013 Melbourne Cup weights can be found in the table below.
2013 Melbourne Cup Weights
Flemington Race 7 – 05/11/2013
| # | Horse | Trainer | Ballot | Weight | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DUNADEN (FR) | Mikel Delzangles | 1 | 58.5kg | 1 |
| 2 | GREEN MOON (IRE) | Robert Hickmott | 2 | 57.5kg | 2 |
| 3 | RED CADEAUX (GB) | Ed Dunlop | 3 | 56.5kg | 3 |
| 4 | SEA MOON (GB) | Robert Hickmott | 4 | 56.5kg | 3 |
| 5 | IT’S A DUNDEEL (NZ) | Murray Baker | 5 | 56kg | 2 |
| 6 | MANIGHAR (FR) | Peter G Moody | 6 | 56kg | 3.5 |
| 7 | BROWN PANTHER (GB) | Tom Dascombe | 7 | 55kg | 4.5 |
| 8 | FIORENTE (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse | 8 | 55kg | 4.5 |
| 9 | FORETELLER (GB) | Chris Waller | 9 | 55kg | 4.5 |
| 10 | JOSHUA TREE (IRE) | Ed Dunlop | 10 | 55kg | 4.5 |
| 11 | AHZEEMAH (IRE) | Saeed Bin Suroor | 11 | 54.5kg | 5 |
| 12 | DANDINO (GB) | Marco Botti | 12 | 54.5kg | 5 |
| 13 | ETHIOPIA | Pat Carey | 13 | 54.5kg | 5 |
| 14 | MOURAYAN (IRE) | Robert Hickmott | 14 | 54.5kg | 5 |
| 15 | PUISSANCE DE LUNE (IRE) | Darren Weir | 15 | 54.5kg | 5 |
| 16 | ROYAL DIAMOND (IRE) | Johnny Murtagh | 16 | 54.5kg | 5 |
| 17 | SANGSTER (NZ) | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 17 | 54.5kg | 5 |
| 18 | SUPER COOL | Mark Kavanagh | 18 | 54.5kg | 3.5 |
| 19 | BAYRIR (FR) | Chris Waller | 19 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 20 | BEATEN UP (GB) | Chris Waller | 20 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 21 | MASKED MARVEL (GB) | Robert Hickmott | 21 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 22 | MOUNT ATHOS (IRE) | Luca Cumani | 22 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 23 | ROYAL EMPIRE (IRE) | Saeed Bin Suroor | 23 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 24 | VOLEUSE DE COEURS (IRE) | Dermot K Weld | 24 | 54kg | 4 |
| 25 | WALDPARK (GER) | Anthony Freedman | 25 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 26 | CARLTON HOUSE (USA) | Gai Waterhouse | 26 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 27 | ERNEST HEMINGWAY (IRE) | Aidan O’Brien | 27 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 28 | GLENCADAM GOLD (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse | 28 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 29 | HAWKSPUR | Chris Waller | 29 | 53.5kg | 4.5 |
| 30 | MR MOET | Adam Durrant | 30 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 31 | SEVILLE (GER) | Robert Hickmott | 31 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 32 | SIMENON (IRE) | William Mullins | 32 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 33 | TANBY | Robert Hickmott | 33 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 34 | FAWKNER | Robert Hickmott | 34 | 53kg | 6.5 |
| 35 | JET AWAY (GB) | David Hayes | 35 | 53kg | 6.5 |
| 36 | KELINNI (IRE) | Chris Waller | 36 | 53kg | 6.5 |
| 37 | MAIN SEQUENCE (USA) | David Lanigan | 37 | 53kg | 6.5 |
| 38 | MORIARTY (IRE) | Chris Waller | 38 | 53kg | 6.5 |
| 39 | MY QUEST FOR PEACE (IRE) | Peter G Moody | 39 | 53kg | 6.5 |
| 40 | VEREMA (FR) | Alain de Royer Dupre | 40 | 53kg | 5 |
| 41 | BRIGANTIN (USA) | Pat Carey | 41 | 52.5kg | 7 |
| 42 | COLOUR VISION (FR) | Saeed Bin Suroor | 42 | 52.5kg | 7 |
| 43 | FORGOTTEN VOICE (IRE) | Nicky Henderson | 43 | 52.5kg | 7 |
| 44 | LEADING LIGHT (IRE) | Aidan O’Brien | 44 | 52.5kg | 3 |
| 45 | MOUDRE | Ciaron Maher | 45 | 52.5kg | 7 |
| 46 | SILENT ACHIEVER (NZ) | Roger James | 46 | 52.5kg | 5.5 |
| 47 | THOUGHT WORTHY (USA) | Robert Hickmott | 47 | 52.5kg | 7 |
| 48 | IBICENCO (GER) | Peter G Moody | 48 | 52kg | 7.5 |
| 49 | JULIENAS (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse | 49 | 52kg | 7.5 |
| 50 | KESAMPOUR (FR) | Peter G Moody | 50 | 52kg | 7.5 |
| 51 | MR O’CEIRIN (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | 51 | 52kg | 7.5 |
| 52 | PAKAL (GER) | Mick Price | 52 | 52kg | 7.5 |
| 53 | PRECEDENCE (NZ) | Bart & James Cummings | 53 | 52kg | 7.5 |
| 54 | QUINTESSENTIAL (NZ) | John Sargent | 54 | 52kg | 6 |
| 55 | ROYAL DESCENT | Chris Waller | 55 | 52kg | 4.5 |
| 56 | SNEAK A PEEK (ITY) | Peter G Moody | 56 | 52kg | 7.5 |
| 57 | SONGCRAFT (IRE) | Saeed Bin Suroor | 57 | 52kg | 7.5 |
| 58 | LIDARI (FR) | Peter G Moody | 58 | 51.5kg | 8 |
| 59 | MASSIYN (IRE) | Robert Hickmott | 59 | 51.5kg | 8 |
| 60 | SUN CENTRAL (IRE) | William Haggas | 60 | 51.5kg | 8 |
| 61 | TUSCAN FIRE | Dan O’Sullivan | 61 | 51.5kg | 8 |
| 62 | DEAR DEMI | Clarry Conners | 62 | 51kg | 5.5 |
| 63 | HARTANI (IRE) | Robert Hickmott | 63 | 51kg | 8.5 |
| 64 | LUCKY CHAPPY (IRE) | Pat Carey | 64 | 51kg | 8.5 |
| 65 | MELEAGROS (IRE) | Alan Couetil | 65 | 51kg | 8.5 |
| 66 | POLISH KNIGHT (NZ) | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 66 | 51kg | 8.5 |
| 67 | RIALYA | Lloyd Kennewell | 67 | 51kg | 8.5 |
| 68 | TRES BLUE (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse | 68 | 51kg | 4.5 |
| 69 | BIOGRAPHER (GB) | David Lanigan | 69 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 70 | GRIS CARO (GB) | Jake Stephens | 70 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 71 | IRONSTEIN | Gerald Ryan | 71 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 72 | LESS IS MORE (FR) | David Vandyke | 72 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 73 | MOTIVADO (GB) | David Hayes | 73 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 74 | PELICANO | Tony McEvoy | 74 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 75 | PRINCE CHERI (FR) | David Vandyke | 75 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 76 | TREMEC (NZ) | John P Thompson | 76 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 77 | AGENT BAUER | Gwenda Markwell | 77 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 78 | ANGOLA | Pat Carey | 78 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 79 | ARALDO (GB) | Michael Moroney | 79 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 80 | ARIBAA (GB) | Mark Kavanagh | 80 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 81 | AWARD SEASON (IRE) | Kris Lees | 81 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 82 | BACHELOR ROYAL (NZ) | Andrew J Payne | 82 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 83 | BACK IN BLACK (NZ) | John Steffert | 83 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 84 | BASS STRAIT (NZ) | David Hayes | 84 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 85 | BIT OF HELL (IRE) | Mick Price | 85 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 86 | BONO VOX | David Hayes | 86 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 87 | CARAVAN ROLLS ON (GB) | Peter Chapple-Hyam | 87 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 88 | CASTLZEBERG (NZ) | Danny O’Brien | 88 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 89 | CHARLESTON LADY (GB) | David Vandyke | 89 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 90 | DANAS BEST | Gai Waterhouse | 90 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 91 | DESERT JEUNEY | Nigel Blackiston | 91 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 92 | ECUADOR (NZ) | Gai Waterhouse | 92 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 93 | FOUNDRY (IRE) | Aidan O’Brien | 93 | 50kg | 9 |
| 94 | FRUEHLING (IRE) | Anthony Freedman | 94 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 95 | GARUD (IRE) | Michael Moroney | 95 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 96 | GERONTIUS | David Hayes | 96 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 97 | GHOST PROTOCOL (IRE) | Paul Perry | 97 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 98 | GOLDONI (IRE) | David Hayes | 98 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 99 | HAMMERFEST (GB) | John Hammond | 99 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 100 | HIPPOPUS (NZ) | Gai Waterhouse | 100 | 50kg | 9 |
| 101 | KEEP COOL (NZ) | Danny O’Brien | 101 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 102 | KINGDOMS (NZ) | John O’Shea | 102 | 50kg | 8.5 |
| 103 | LET’S MAKE ADEAL | Nigel Blackiston | 103 | 50kg | 9 |
| 104 | LUCKY ANGEL | Tony Vasil | 104 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 105 | OASIS BLOOM | Peter Morgan & Craig Widdison | 105 | 50kg | 8 |
| 106 | ONLY A PLEASURE (IRE) | Andre Fabre | 106 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 107 | OPINION (IRE) | Sir Michael Stoute | 107 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 108 | OUR DESERT WARRIOR | Gai Waterhouse | 108 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 109 | PACKING EMPIRE (NZ) | David Hayes | 109 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 110 | PALE MIMOSA (IRE) | Dermot K Weld | 110 | 50kg | 8.5 |
| 111 | PEAL OF BELLS | Gwenda Markwell | 111 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 112 | PLANET PURPLE | Kerry Parker | 112 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 113 | PRACTICED | Robert Hickmott | 113 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 114 | RANKED (IRE) | Robert Hickmott | 114 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 115 | RUSCELLO (IRE) | Ed Walker | 115 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 116 | SAGHANN (IRE) | Anthony Freedman | 116 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 117 | SAHARA SUN (CHI) | Ciaron Maher | 117 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 118 | SALON SOLDIER (GER) | Kris Lees | 118 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 119 | SHARALAM (IRE) | Mark Kavanagh | 119 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 120 | SHOREHAM | Saab Hasan | 120 | 50kg | 8.5 |
| 121 | SIERRA NEVADA (NZ) | Richard Otto | 121 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 122 | SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD (IRE) | Craig Ritchie | 122 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 123 | STAR OF TRALEE (NZ) | David Hayes | 124 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 124 | STAR ROLLING | Peter Morgan & Craig Widdison | 123 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 125 | TALENT SHOW | Graeme Ballantyne | 125 | 50kg | 9 |
| 126 | TENBY LADY (USA) | Gai Waterhouse | 126 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 127 | TONOPAH (USA) | Craig Ritchie | 127 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 128 | TREVIERES (FR) | Markus Nigge | 128 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 129 | VAQUERA (NZ) | Gai Waterhouse | 129 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 130 | WARWARICK | David Hayes | 130 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 131 | WHY NOT (GER) | David Hayes | 131 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 132 | WIND BENDER | Chris Waller | 132 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 133 | WROTHAM HEATH (GB) | David Hayes | 133 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 134 | ORDER OF THE SUN | Gai Waterhouse | 134 | 49kg | 9.5 |
