Racing Victoria increases 2025 Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup weight scales

Racing Victoria has made a big change to the Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup that will ensure our best jockeys can be involved in the two spring majors.

Racing Victoria has announced an increase to Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup weight scales.

In consultation with the Melbourne Racing Club and Victoria Racing Club, the hosts of the spring majors, RV has confirmed minimum weight for both Group 1 races will rise from 50kg to 51kg, while the minimum topweight will be raised from 58kg to 59kg.

RV will also reinstate a minimum topweight of 57kg at final acceptance time for both events, with weights raised equally for all horses in the field, if the topweight is below the minimum.

Kalapour topped the Caulfield Cup final field last year with 55kg, while Vauban carried 55.5kg in the Melbourne Cup.

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Under the revised scale, Kalapour and Vauban would be boosted to 57kg, with the remainder of field raised equally.

A minimum topweight at final acceptance time was last in place for the Cups in 2016.

RV committed to review the Cups’ scale after feedback on the spread of weights among final acceptors last year and difficulty for connections to engage their preferred jockey.

The Caulfield Cup last year had five starters with 54kg or more, while only four of 23 Melbourne Cup runners carried 54kg-plus.

The Caulfield Cup (four) and Melbourne Cup (eight) last year featured a record number of starters on 50kg.

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The minimum 50kg weight scale was introduced in 2007 for horses aged four and upwards.

RV chief handicapper David Hegan said change was in the “best interests of these iconic races and more broadly Victorian racing”.

“The revamped weight scale aims to ensure that the strongest possible field of competitors are present for two of the country’s most important races, while reducing the physical demands on jockeys so that they can perform at their best,” Hegan said.

“These changes also mean that owners and trainers will have greater scope to select the rider of their choice in the Cups. Importantly, opportunities will remain for lightweight riders to showcase their talents on the big stage.”

The Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup weight scale will be increased. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

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RV consulted with clubs and industry groups, including the Australian Trainers’ Association (ATA), Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association (TROA) and Victorian Jockeys’ Association (VJA), during its new Racing Forums initiative.

VJA chief executive Matt Hyland welcomed the changes.

“We’re pleased that our feedback has been taken on board and that we’ve been able to work together to reach an agreement that will see increased opportunities for jockeys and greater choices for connections to book their preferred rider,” Hyland said.

ATA chief executive Stephen Bell echoed the sentiment.

“The Caulfield and Melbourne Cups are critically important to Victorian racing and these changes should see both races given the chance to attract their best possible field,” Bell said.

“We want to see the strongest line-up of horses and riders present and the revamped weight scale encourages this through a greater spread of weights among those competing in the Cups.

“This will deliver better opportunities for our trainers to select their preferred jockey in two of our biggest events.”

Originally published as Racing Victoria increases 2025 Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup weight scales