The Darren Weir trained Humidor has been allocated the top weight for 2018 Group 1 $7.3m Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 6.

Humidor, above, has been allocated the top weight for the 2018 Melbourne Cup at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Humidor, above, has been allocated the top weight for the 2018 Melbourne Cup at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Weir won the 2015 Melbourne Cup with $101 outsider Prince Of Penzance and has nominated twenty-seven horses for the this year’s Race That Stop A Nation with Humidor heading the weights with 58kg.

Other notable horses from the Weir stable in the Melbourne Cup nominations are Japanese import Tosen Basil who has been given 55.5kg, Big Duke, 54kg, Red Cardinal, 54kg and Kings Will Dream with 53kg.

The Saeed Bin Suroor trained, Godolphin owned English stayer Best Solution and the Aidan O’Brien trained Irish stayer Lancaster Bomber both have been allocated 57.5kg, the Andreas Wohler trained Irish stayer Torcedor is next in the weights with 57kg while last year’s Victoria Derby winner Ace High has been asked to carry 55kg.

Racing Victoria’s (RV) Executive General Manager – Racing & Participant Wellbeing, Greg Carpenter, said that with a strong representation from the internationals again, it will be hard for a locally trained stayer to win the 2018 Melbourne Cup.

“At this point, it looks as though we can expect a record number of international runners across the Spring Racing Carnival, so locally-trained horses could face a tough task in ensuring the cups remain here in Australia. That said, with horses like Kings Will Dream, Unforgotten and Ace High prominent in the early betting markets, I’m sure the overseas raiders won’t have it all their own way,” Carpenter said.

“With the high-class European pair Stradivarius and Vazirabad opting against travelling to Australia and no previous Melbourne Cup winners amongst the entries, all horses nominated for the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup have been asked to carry more weight than they otherwise would have done.”

“With the conditions stating that each race has a minimum topweight of 58kg at the release of the handicaps, it is three-time Group 1 winner and Cox Plate runner-up Humidor that has been allotted the topweight in both races.

“Despite the absence of what I would call a natural topweight in both races, there is tremendous depth and quality among the entries and I suspect that the challenge to gain a start in both cups will be the toughest in recent years.

“With incredibly talented horses like Best Solution and Torcedor coming from Europe, the return of Japanese contenders led by Chestnut Coat, proven Australasian Group 1 performers like Humidor and an outstanding crop of four-year-olds, we will crown a worthy champion in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.”

The 2018 Melbourne Cup first acceptances are due on Tuesday, October 9, with the final field to be released on Saturday, November 3.

2018 Melbourne Cup (3200m) weights

# Last 10 Horse Sex Age Trainer Ballot Weight Hcp Rating
1 0x4184x81x HUMIDOR (NZ) G 6 Darren Weir 1 58kg 1.5
2 x3195x111x BEST SOLUTION (IRE) H 5 Saeed Bin Suroor 2 57.5kg 2
3 62025x031x LANCASTER BOMBER (USA) H 5 Aidan O’Brien 3 57.5kg 2
4 5x22x0132x TORCEDOR (IRE) G 7 Andreas Wohler 4 57kg 2.5
5 78x512433x CLIFFS OF MOHER (IRE) H 5 Aidan O’Brien 5 56.5kg 3
6 x312561x1x COMIN’ THROUGH G 5 Chris Waller 6 56.5kg 3
7 45x814533x IDAHO (IRE) H 6 Aidan O’Brien 7 56kg 3.5
8 57x150x11x MAGIC CIRCLE (IRE) G 7 Ian Williams 8 56kg 3.5
9 x0x92834x6 AMBITIOUS (JPN) H 7 Anthony Freedman 9 55.5kg 4
10 15x211250x CHESTNUT COAT (JPN) H 5 Yoshito Yahagi 10 55.5kg 4
11 7x28167x0x HARLEM (GB) G 7 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 11 55.5kg 4
12 1x68139x4x JON SNOW (NZ) H 5 Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman 12 55.5kg 4
13 1796x4341x MUNTAHAA (IRE) G 6 John Gosden 13 55.5kg 4
14 2144x1132x SOUND CHECK (GER) H 6 Michael Moroney 14 55.5kg 4
15 8x72x3x56x TOSEN BASIL (JPN) H 7 Darren Weir 15 55.5kg 4
16 4491x6731x WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (NZ) G 10 Chris Waller 16 55.5kg 4
17 x55462x02x ACE HIGH H 4 David Payne 17 55kg 3
18 7x623x2x1x EMOTIONLESS (IRE) G 6 Charlie Appleby 18 55kg 4.5
19 1x69x2112x MARMELO (GB) H 6 Hughie Morrison 19 55kg 4.5
20 25041x8x7x THE TAJ MAHAL (IRE) H 5 Liam Howley 20 55kg 4.5
21 x22x132x2x WEEKENDER (GB) H 5 John Gosden 21 55kg 4.5
22 111x1160x9 BONNEVAL (NZ) M 5 Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman 22 54.5kg 3.5
23 3x15x5331x DURETTO (GB) G 7 Andrew Balding 23 54.5kg 5
24 45221x111x MATERIAL MAN G 7 Justin Warwick 24 54.5kg 5
25 112x332x7x POUNAMU G 7 Alan Mathews 25 54.5kg 5
26 7x56164x5x AUVRAY (FR) G 8 Richard Freedman 26 54kg 5.5
27 021443x00x BIG DUKE (IRE) G 7 Darren Weir 27 54kg 5.5
28 26x1353x2x COUNT OCTAVE (GB) H 5 Andrew Balding 28 54kg 5.5
29 1x13714x32 D’ARGENTO H 4 Chris Waller 29 54kg 4
30 219x32964x DESERT SKYLINE (IRE) G 5 David Elsworth 30 54kg 5.5
31 313x655x1x FINCHE (GB) H 5 Chris Waller 31 54kg 5.5
32 3x1111x58x GRUNT (NZ) H 4 Mick Price 32 54kg 4
33 36x004707x MAX DYNAMITE (FR) G 9 William Mullins 33 54kg 5.5
34 3x27314x0x MR MOONLIGHT MAGIC (GB) H 6 James Cummings 34 54kg 5.5
35 x11x5x0x08 RED CARDINAL (IRE) G 7 Darren Weir 35 54kg 5.5
36 1x1422225x RED VERDON (USA) H 6 Ed Dunlop 36 54kg 5.5
37 8121x05x4x VENGEUR MASQUE (IRE) G 7 Michael Moroney 37 54kg 5.5
38 x437829x7x VENTURA STORM (IRE) G 6 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 38 54kg 5.5
39 x0x250272x DEAUVILLE (IRE) H 6 Aidan O’Brien 39 53.5kg 6
40 321x1111x HAMADA (GB) G 5 Charlie Appleby 40 53.5kg 6
41 741x780x00 MIGHTY BOSS H 4 Mick Price 41 53.5kg 4.5
42 3361x8899x SENSE OF OCCASION G 8 Kris Lees 42 53.5kg 6
43 x70x47x25x TIBERIAN (FR) H 7 Alain Couetil 43 53.5kg 6
44 35x463144x VIN DE DANCE (NZ) G 4 Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman 44 53.5kg 4.5
45 1x3326x11x AVILIUS (GB) G 5 James Cummings 45 53kg 6.5
46 x400521x5x EGG TART M 5 Chris Waller 46 53kg 5
47 12153x16x2 HOMESMAN (USA) G 5 Liam Howley 47 53kg 6.5
48 41x329113x KEW GARDENS (IRE) H 4 Aidan O’Brien 48 53kg 2.5
49 x11111x43x KINGS WILL DREAM (IRE) G 5 Darren Weir 49 53kg 6.5
50 28x420x83x LIBRAN (IRE) G 8 Chris Waller 50 53kg 6.5
51 x1x5x0057x NAKEETA (GB) G 8 Iain Jardine 51 53kg 6.5
52 3110328x2x OUR VENICE BEACH (IRE) H 5 Liam Howley 52 53kg 6.5
53 5x2188632x PRINCE OF ARRAN (GB) G 6 Charlie Fellowes 53 53kg 6.5
54 0x22525x0x SINGLE GAZE M 6 Chris Waller 54 53kg 5
55 314513x01x SIR CHARLES ROAD G 5 Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott 55 53kg 6.5
56 732x03705x SOLE IMPACT (JPN) H 7 Hirofumi Toda 56 53kg 6.5
57 1116×63211 TRAP FOR FOOLS G 5 Jarrod McLean 57 53kg 6.5
58 2121x31x1x WITHHOLD (GB) G 6 Roger Charlton 58 53kg 6.5
59 5158402x0x ZACADA (NZ) G 6 Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman 59 53kg 6.5
60 x6x10x246x DAL HARRAILD (GB) G 6 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 60 52.5kg 7
61 50220x29x6 DOHA DREAM (FR) H 6 Andre Fabre 61 52.5kg 7
62 61431105×0 GALLIC CHIEFTAIN (FR) H 6 Darren Weir 62 52.5kg 7
63 948x16313x MEGABLAST (NZ) G 7 Darren Weir 63 52.5kg 7
64 4x13x4244x MUSTAJEER (GB) G 6 Ger Lyons 64 52.5kg 7
65 x203x60x8x ONE FOOT IN HEAVEN (IRE) R 7 Chris Waller 65 52.5kg 7
66 x9066x9x3x PRIZE MONEY (GB) G 6 Saeed Bin Suroor 66 52.5kg 7
67 1x0121x61x UNFORGOTTEN M 4 Chris Waller 67 52.5kg 4
68 x6248x220x WALL OF FIRE (IRE) H 6 Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 68 52.5kg 7
69 114x39770x LORD FANDANGO (GER) H 6 Archie Alexander 69 52.5kg 7
70 2x111x28 GAME STARTER (IRE) H 5 Saeed Bin Suroor 70 52kg 7.5
71 2x22117x LATROBE (IRE) H 4 Joseph O’Brien 71 52kg 3.5
72 2x726x6x5x THOMAS HOBSON (GB) G 9 William Mullins 72 52kg 7.5
73 32x436013x YUCATAN (IRE) H 5 Aidan O’Brien 73 52kg 7.5
74 343x312x60 HIYAAM (NZ) M 4 Mick Price 74 51.5kg 5
75 x3620x402x INVICTUS PRINCE (GB) G 6 Matthew Smith 75 51.5kg 8
76 501211x78x LADIES FIRST (NZ) M 6 Allan Sharrock 76 51.5kg 6.5
77 0x93116x5x LIFE LESS ORDINARY (IRE) G 7 Chris Waller 77 51.5kg 8
78 1182×51346 PACODALI (IRE) G 6 Darren Weir 78 51.5kg 8
79 x311113x6x YOUNGSTAR M 4 Chris Waller 79 51.5kg 5
80 21x21x214x ADMIRE ROBSON (JPN) H 5 Darren Weir 80 51kg 8.5
81 361x16246x CASTERTON (IRE) H 5 Andre Fabre 81 51kg 8.5
82 11x24112x CROSS COUNTER (GB) G 4 Charlie Appleby 82 51kg 4.5
83 14x1331x14 DIVINE UNICORN (GB) G 5 Matthew Dunn 83 51kg 8.5
84 54x217549x DOUGLAS MACARTHUR (IRE) G 5 Liam Howley 84 51kg 8.5
85 151x35011x FLAG OF HONOUR (IRE) H 4 Aidan O’Brien 85 51kg 4.5
86 7x81611x6x HIGHLAD G 5 Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman 86 51kg 8.5
87 1x1327287x MONGOLIANCONQUEROR (NZ) G 4 Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards 87 51kg 7
88 412141×213 NIGHT’S WATCH (NZ) G 5 Darren Weir 88 51kg 8.5
89 8x6427x345 ODEON (NZ) G 5 Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra 89 51kg 8.5
90 x049632x0x PENTATHLON (NZ) G 7 John Wheeler 90 51kg 8.5
91 3173x5x60x POETIC DREAM (IRE) H 5 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 91 51kg 8.5
92 12x04331x2 RISING RED (NZ) G 5 Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young 92 51kg 8.5
93 13x419225x ROSTROPOVICH (IRE) H 4 Aidan O’Brien 93 51kg 4.5
94 x38x947x0x SATONO RASEN (JPN) H 7 Chris Waller 94 51kg 8.5
95 x251711x80 SOPRESSA M 4 Darren Weir 95 51kg 5.5
96 x11432x80x SULLY (NZ) G 4 Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young 96 51kg 7
97 x3203860x7 US ARMY RANGER (IRE) G 6 Liam Howley 97 51kg 8.5
98 1131119×45 NORTHWEST PASSAGE G 5 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 98 50.5kg 9
99 x2x115627x ORDEROFTHEGARTER (IRE) H 5 Liam Howley 99 50.5kg 9
100 x051121x3x OUR ABBADEAN (NZ) M 6 Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards 100 50.5kg 7.5
101 842512226x REZEALIENT G 4 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 101 50.5kg 7.5
102 x90231130x RUNAWAY R 4 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 102 50.5kg 7.5
103 750x55211x SIXTIES GROOVE (IRE) G 6 Darren Weir 103 50.5kg 9
104 14x621x33x WALTON STREET (GB) G 5 Charlie Appleby 104 50.5kg 9
105 x0022x4x2x ABDON (GB) G 6 Chris Waller 105 50kg 9.5
106 843320x68x AL HARAM (FR) G 6 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 106 50kg 9.5
107 2131222x4x ANOTHER DOLLAR (NZ) M 4 Chris Waller 107 50kg 8
108 4112x0873x AZURO (FR) G 5 Darren Weir 108 50kg 9.5
109 x31311440x BEDFORD (NZ) G 5 Anthony Freedman 109 50kg 9.5
110 7x314461x4 BELGRAVIA (IRE) H 5 Liam Howley 110 50kg 9.5
111 x03438x71x BEST OF DAYS (GB) H 5 James Cummings 111 50kg 9.5
112 021x22x33x BRIMHAM ROCKS (GB) G 5 Chris Waller 112 50kg 9.5
113 222x1x334x CALIBRATION (IRE) H 5 Darren Weir 113 50kg 9.5
114 11x631x40x CHELKAR (FR) G 6 William Mullins 114 50kg 9.5
115 222x35113x CHEQUERED FLAG (NZ) G 7 Darren Weir 115 50kg 9.5
116 651111×090 CORDERO G 5 Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes 116 50kg 9.5
117 71x735900x CULLINGWORTH (IRE) G 5 Darren Weir 117 50kg 9.5
118 497418×000 DANDY GENT G 7 Terry & Karina O’Sullivan 118 50kg 9.5
119 1x7x4x46x DANON ROMAN (JPN) H 5 Anthony Freedman 119 50kg 9.5
120 332120x96x DOMED M 5 John P Thompson 120 50kg 9.5
121 4111251×70 ETAH JAMES (NZ) M 6 Matt Cumani 121 50kg 9.5
122 213x86x2x EXEMPLAR (IRE) H 5 Liam Howley 122 50kg 9.5
123 x33113233x GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI (IRE) H 4 Aidan O’Brien 123 50kg 8.5
124 128x11x0x GOLDEN AUTHORITY (NZ) G 5 Matt Cumani 124 50kg 9.5
125 21x020030x GUARDINI (FR) G 8 Darren Weir 125 50kg 9.5
126 131x590x9x HANS HOLBEIN (GB) G 7 Liam Howley 126 50kg 9.5
127 x900x6x60x HAPPY MOMENT (JPN) H 9 Anthony Freedman 127 50kg 9.5
128 510x71491x HARIPOUR (IRE) H 5 Darren Weir 128 50kg 9.5
129 140x621x45 HARRISON (GB) G 6 Liam Howley 129 50kg 9.5
130 x114209x7x HE EKSCELS (NZ) G 5 Shawn Mathrick 130 50kg 9.5
131 4230x8314x HERE AND NOW (GB) G 5 Ralph Beckett 131 50kg 9.5
132 19x31x0x1x HIGH BRIDGE (GB) G 8 Chris Waller 132 50kg 9.5
133 2x1336138x HUNTING HORN (IRE) H 4 Aidan O’Brien 133 50kg 7
134 213×9 HUSH WRITER (JPN) H 4 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 134 50kg 9.5
135 331x03x ILWENDO (GER) H 5 Matthew Smith 135 50kg 9.5
136 333x1x618x JAAMEH (IRE) G 6 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 136 50kg 9.5
137 134x74x97x JAKE’S HILL (GB) G 5 Chris Waller 137 50kg 9.5
138 369x00640x KELLSTORM (IRE) H 6 Darren Weir 138 50kg 9.5
139 64x362x53x KILIMANJARO (IRE) G 7 Liam Howley 139 50kg 9.5
140 2x3503170x LAGOSTOVEGAS (IRE) M 7 William Mullins 140 50kg 9.5
141 7x750x008x LANGLEY (JPN) H 8 Darren Weir 141 50kg 9.5
142 14x6110x4x LUVALUVA (NZ) M 4 John Sargent 142 50kg 8
143 81172x MASTER OF REALITY (IRE) H 4 Joseph O’Brien 143 50kg 9.5
144 321x99574x MASTER ZEPHYR (GB) G 7 Darren Weir 144 50kg 9.5
145 6164x0x02x MIDTERM (GB) G 6 Liam Howley 145 50kg 9.5
146 13323x08x MILSEAIN (NZ) M 4 Kris Lees 146 50kg 9.5
147 16116x MING (IRE) G 4 Joseph O’Brien 147 50kg 9.5
148 419337x35x MISS ADMIRATION M 4 Mick Price 148 50kg 7.5
149 11589x720x MR CLARIFY (NZ) G 6 Wayne Walters 149 50kg 9.5
150 x57x15x82x MR GARCIA (GB) G 6 Darren Weir 150 50kg 9.5
151 8914228x6x NAVAL WARFARE (IRE) G 5 Chris Waller 151 50kg 9.5
152 112x16356x NELSON (IRE) H 4 Aidan O’Brien 152 50kg 9
153 7424x02x67 OPPOSITION (GB) G 6 Chris Waller 153 50kg 9.5
154 572333240x ORMITO (GER) G 6 Darren Weir 154 50kg 9.5
155 40x11x OUR LIBRETTO (NZ) M 5 Grahame Begg 155 50kg 9.5
156 3114656x6x PATRICK ERIN (NZ) G 7 Chris Waller 156 50kg 9.5
157 151330x00x PERIBSEN (IRE) H 6 John O’Shea 157 50kg 9.5
158 11x824116x PIONEERTOWN (IRE) G 5 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 158 50kg 9.5
159 111x31x31x PLEIN CIEL (GER) G 6 Darren Weir 159 50kg 9.5
160 332230×025 ROMANESQUE (IRE) H 6 Jarrod McLean 160 50kg 9.5
161 611212112x SELF SENSE G 8 David Brideoake 161 50kg 9.5
162 0x0x050x0x SHIMRANO (GER) G 7 Michael Hickmott 162 50kg 9.5
163 x4300x412x SHRAAOH (IRE) G 6 Chris Waller 163 50kg 9.5
164 43462L1x3x SIN TO WIN (NZ) G 6 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 164 50kg 9.5
165 804230716x SIR CHAUVELIN (GB) G 7 Jim Goldie 165 50kg 9.5
166 31x691420x SIR JOHN LAVERY (IRE) H 5 Liam Howley 166 50kg 9.5
167 3219155x9x STEPS (IRE) G 5 Liam Howley 167 50kg 9.5
168 2x12x4310x STRATUM (GB) G 6 William Mullins 168 50kg 9.5
169 53x112x SUPERNOVA (GB) H 4 David Simcock 169 50kg 9.5
170 126x SURREY G 6 Graeme Rogerson 170 50kg 9.5
171 000x00763x TALL SHIP (IRE) G 8 Darren Weir 171 50kg 9.5
172 20116x00x TAVISTOCK ABBEY (NZ) G 4 Anthony Freedman 172 50kg 9.5
173 416400x01x THE LORD MAYOR (NZ) G 4 Chris Waller 173 50kg 9.5
174 1x3x33855x THE PENTAGON (IRE) H 4 Aidan O’Brien 174 50kg 9.5
175 111x62415x THE STATESMAN (GB) G 5 Darren Weir 175 50kg 9.5
176 464521221x TIFFANY’S LASS M 5 Danny Laws 176 50kg 9.5
177 74x612825x TOP OF THE RANGE (NZ) G 5 Michael Moroney 177 50kg 9.5
178 110x81112x VALAC (IRE) G 7 David & B Hayes & T Dabernig 178 50kg 9.5
179 53x6830x4x WHEAL LEISURE M 5 Archie Alexander 179 50kg 9.5
180 x94273214x WOLFE TONE (NZ) H 4 Francis Finnegan 180 50kg 9.5
181 46x4421x22 YOGI (NZ) G 6 Darren Weir 181 50kg 9.5
182 510 SYDNEY BLUE C 3 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 182 49kg 9.5
183 131x THINKIN’ BIG C 3 Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 183 49kg 9.5

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.