Sir Delius and Half Yours have been handed the respective topweights for this year’s Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup, with the two features operating under different weight scales.
Sir Delius has been allocated 59kg for the Caulfield Cup, while reigning Cups hero Half Yours will carry the same weight in his bid to defend the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.
With Sir Delius not entered for the Melbourne Cup, Racing Victoria Head of Handicapping David Hegan applied an additional 1.5kg to runners above the minimum weight to satisfy the requirement for a 59kg topweight.
As a result, Half Yours has received 57.5kg for the Caulfield Cup and 59kg for the Melbourne Cup.
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained gelding carried 53kg when winning last year’s Melbourne Cup, meaning he faces a 6kg increase as he attempts to defend his crown.
Sir Delius was the pre-post favourite for the Melbourne Cup last year before being withdrawn after a scan identified an increased risk of injury.
The high-class galloper will not be required to undergo the same Melbourne Cup scanning protocols this spring, with connections electing not to target the Flemington feature.
