Danny O’Brien’s Vow And Declare must carry an additional 5kg in the 2020 Melbourne Cup after his thrilling victory in last year’s edition.
The talented stayer carried 52kg last year, and has received 57kg this time around as Racing Victoria’s Chief Handicapper Greg Carpenter announced the weights for the 2020 Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.
Aidan O’Brien provided the top weight for the fourth time in five years, with 2019 Epsom Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck allocated 58.5kg, ahead of a trio of horses on 57kg, including Avilius, Sovereign, and Vow And Declare.
Prominent early market interests Russian Camelot and Master Of Wine have both been allocated 53.5kg, with Verry Elleegant receiving 55kg, and favourite Surprise Baby to carry 54.5kg.
Carpenter noted that Verry Elleegant has certainly been set a task with her allocated weight, and gave punters some further detail into Vow And Declare’s weight rise.
Watch: Vow And Declare’s thrilling win in the 2019 Melbourne Cup.
Australia bring the #MelbourneCup home! 🇦🇺
VOW AND DECLARE just gets up to deny Master of Reality and Frankie Dettori in the tightest of finishes!
Another huge run from Britain’s Prince of Arran to finish 3rd for the second successive running too! pic.twitter.com/Sxj25rnrfx
— Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) November 5, 2019
“There’s a challenge been set for talented local mare Verry Elleegant also, who has 55kg in both Cups. Makybe Diva is the only mare to carry more than 55kg to victory in the Melbourne Cup having done so in 2004 (55.5kg) and 2005 (58kg), the latter being the last time a mare has placed in our most famous race.
“There is always great interest in what weight is given to the defending Melbourne Cup champion and this year that is Vow And Declare who rises to 57kg having won the race with 52kg last year for Australia with Craig Williams in the saddle for Danny O’Brien.
“The five kilogram increase for Vow And Declare represents a 1.5kg increase in his weight-for-age benchmark moving to five years of age and a 3.5kg penalty for his 2019 win. That’s the same penalty that was afforded to Cross Counter, Prince of Penzance, Green Moon, Dunaden and Americain for their title defences over the past decade.”
Find the full list of weights for the 2020 Melbourne Cup below.
| NAME | SEX | AGE | TRAINER | BALLOT | WEIGHT | HANDICAP RATING | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ANTHONY VAN DYCK (IRE) | H | 5 | Aidan O'Brien | 1 | 58.5kg | 1 |
| 2 | AVILIUS (GB) | G | 7 | James Cummings | 2 | 57kg | 2.5 |
| 3 | SOVEREIGN (IRE) | H | 5 | Aidan O'Brien | 3 | 57kg | 2.5 |
| 4 | VOW AND DECLARE | G | 5 | Danny O'Brien | 4 | 57kg | 2.5 |
| 5 | MASTER OF REALITY (IRE) | G | 6 | Joseph O'Brien | 5 | 56kg | 3.5 |
| 6 | TELECASTER (GB) | H | 5 | Hughie Morrison | 6 | 56kg | 3.5 |
| 7 | REGAL POWER | G | 5 | Grant & Alana Williams | 7 | 55.5kg | 4 |
| 8 | SIR DRAGONET (IRE) | H | 5 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 8 | 55.5kg | 4 |
| 9 | TWILIGHT PAYMENT (IRE) | G | 8 | Joseph O'Brien | 9 | 55.5kg | 4 |
| 10 | BUCKHURST (IRE) | H | 5 | Joseph O'Brien | 10 | 55kg | 4.5 |
| 11 | MIRAGE DANCER (GB) | H | 7 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 11 | 55kg | 4.5 |
| 12 | MUSTAJEER (GB) | G | 8 | Kris Lees | 12 | 55kg | 4.5 |
| 13 | STRATUM (GB) | G | 8 | William Mullins | 13 | 55kg | 4.5 |
| 14 | VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ) | M | 5 | Chris Waller | 14 | 55kg | 3 |
| 15 | DASHING WILLOUGHBY (GB) | G | 5 | Andrew Balding | 15 | 54.5kg | 5 |
| 16 | FINCHE (GB) | G | 7 | Chris Waller | 16 | 54.5kg | 5 |
| 17 | NANCHO (GER) | G | 6 | Anthony Cummings | 17 | 54.5kg | 5 |
| 18 | PRINCE OF ARRAN (GB) | G | 8 | Charlie Fellowes | 18 | 54.5kg | 5 |
| 19 | SURPRISE BABY (NZ) | G | 6 | Paul Preusker | 19 | 54.5kg | 5 |
| 20 | YOUNG RASCAL (FR) | G | 6 | Archie Alexander | 20 | 54.5kg | 5 |
| 21 | CAPE OF GOOD HOPE (IRE) | H | 5 | Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes | 21 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 22 | MR QUICKIE | G | 5 | Phillip Stokes | 22 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 23 | PATRICK SARSFIELD (FR) | H | 5 | Joseph O'Brien | 23 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 24 | RED VERDON (USA) | G | 8 | Ed Dunlop | 24 | 54kg | 5.5 |
| 25 | CONSTANTINOPLE (IRE) | G | 5 | Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes | 25 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 26 | DANCETERIA (FR) | G | 6 | Kris Lees | 26 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 27 | LEVENDI | H | 6 | Peter Gelagotis | 27 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 28 | MASTER OF WINE (GER) | G | 6 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 28 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 29 | MUGATOO (IRE) | G | 6 | Kris Lees | 29 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 30 | NICKAJACK CAVE (IRE) | G | 5 | Peter G Moody | 30 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 31 | RAHEEN HOUSE (IRE) | G | 7 | Kris Lees | 31 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 32 | EAGLES BY DAY (IRE) | H | 5 | David O'Meara | 32 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 33 | KING OF LEOGRANCE (FR) | G | 6 | Danny O'Brien | 33 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 34 | QUICK THINKER | H | 4 | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | 34 | 53.5kg | 4.5 |
| 35 | RUSSIAN CAMELOT (IRE) | H | 4 | Danny O'Brien | 35 | 53.5kg | 3 |
| 36 | SAN HUBERTO (IRE) | H | 5 | Fabrice Chappet | 36 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 37 | SANTIAGO (IRE) | H | 4 | Aidan O'Brien | 37 | 53.5kg | 3 |
| 38 | THE CHOSEN ONE (NZ) | H | 5 | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | 38 | 53.5kg | 6 |
| 39 | ANGEL OF TRUTH | G | 5 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 39 | 53kg | 6.5 |
| 40 | ARCADIA QUEEN | M | 5 | Grant & Alana Williams | 40 | 53kg | 5 |
| 41 | ASHRUN (FR) | H | 5 | Andreas Wohler | 41 | 53kg | 6.5 |
| 42 | PLATINUM INVADOR (NZ) | G | 5 | Peter G Moody | 42 | 53kg | 6.5 |
| 43 | WARNING | G | 4 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 43 | 53kg | 5 |
| 44 | DR DRILL (GB) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 44 | 52.5kg | 7 |
| 45 | ETAH JAMES (NZ) | M | 8 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 45 | 52.5kg | 5.5 |
| 46 | HUSH WRITER (JPN) | G | 6 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 46 | 52.5kg | 7 |
| 47 | LE DON DE VIE (GB) | G | 5 | Hughie Morrison | 47 | 52.5kg | 7 |
| 48 | PORT GUILLAUME (FR) | H | 4 | Jean-Claude Rouget | 48 | 52.5kg | 4 |
| 49 | SKYWARD (FR) | H | 5 | Fabrice Chappet | 49 | 52.5kg | 7 |
| 50 | STEEL PRINCE (IRE) | G | 7 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 50 | 52.5kg | 7 |
| 51 | AZURO (FR) | G | 7 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 51 | 52kg | 7.5 |
| 52 | BRIMHAM ROCKS (GB) | G | 7 | Chris Waller | 52 | 52kg | 7.5 |
| 53 | CARIF | H | 5 | Peter & Paul Snowden | 53 | 52kg | 7.5 |
| 54 | COLETTE | M | 4 | James Cummings | 54 | 52kg | 4.5 |
| 55 | HAKY (IRE) | G | 7 | Archie Alexander | 55 | 52kg | 7.5 |
| 56 | MISS SISKA | M | 7 | Matthew Smith | 56 | 52kg | 6 |
| 57 | SHARED AMBITION (IRE) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 57 | 52kg | 7.5 |
| 58 | SOUND (GER) | H | 8 | Michael Moroney | 58 | 52kg | 7.5 |
| 59 | TRUE SELF (IRE) | M | 8 | William Mullins | 59 | 52kg | 6 |
| 60 | WEEKENDER (GB) | G | 7 | Mark Newnham | 60 | 52kg | 7.5 |
| 61 | ZEBROWSKI (NZ) | G | 4 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 61 | 52kg | 6 |
| 62 | FURRION (GB) | G | 6 | Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes | 62 | 51.5kg | 8 |
| 63 | MAHAMEDEIS | G | 6 | Nick Ryan | 63 | 51.5kg | 8 |
| 64 | MISS SENTIMENTAL (NZ) | M | 5 | Chris Waller | 64 | 51.5kg | 6.5 |
| 65 | OCEANEX (NZ) | M | 5 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | 65 | 51.5kg | 6.5 |
| 66 | PRINCESS JENNI (NZ) | M | 5 | David Brideoake | 66 | 51.5kg | 6.5 |
| 67 | AKTAU (GB) | G | 5 | Michael Moroney | 67 | 51kg | 8.5 |
| 68 | AL GALAYEL (IRE) | G | 7 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 68 | 51kg | 8.5 |
| 69 | BIG DUKE (IRE) | G | 9 | Kris Lees | 69 | 51kg | 8.5 |
| 70 | DJANGO FREEMAN (GER) | H | 5 | Robert Hickmott | 70 | 51kg | 8.5 |
| 71 | GALLIC CHIEFTAIN (FR) | H | 8 | Archie Alexander | 71 | 51kg | 8.5 |
| 72 | HARBOUR VIEWS (FR) | G | 6 | Matthew Williams | 72 | 51kg | 8.5 |
| 73 | INVERLOCH (IRE) | G | 7 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 73 | 51kg | 8.5 |
| 74 | MIAMI BOUND (NZ) | M | 4 | Danny O'Brien | 74 | 51kg | 5.5 |
| 75 | NONCONFORMIST | G | 4 | Grahame Begg | 75 | 51kg | 7 |
| 76 | PONDUS (GB) | G | 5 | Joseph O'Brien | 76 | 51kg | 8.5 |
| 77 | SIR CHARLES ROAD | G | 7 | Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott | 77 | 51kg | 8.5 |
| 78 | SUPER TITUS (GB) | G | 7 | Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes | 78 | 51kg | 8.5 |
| 79 | TOFFEE TONGUE (NZ) | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 79 | 51kg | 5.5 |
| 80 | WOLFE (JPN) | G | 6 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 80 | 51kg | 8.5 |
| 81 | CHAPADA | G | 5 | Michael Moroney | 81 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 82 | CREEDENCE | G | 6 | Matt Cumani | 82 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 83 | GREY LION (IRE) | G | 9 | Matthew Smith | 83 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 84 | LORD BELVEDERE (GB) | G | 7 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 84 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 85 | NORWAY (IRE) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 85 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 86 | PATHS OF GLORY (GB) | G | 6 | Richard & Michael Freedman | 86 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 87 | SCHABAU (GER) | H | 6 | Robert Hickmott | 87 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 88 | SWEET THOMAS (GER) | G | 9 | Matthew Smith | 88 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 89 | VIN DE DANCE (NZ) | G | 6 | Symon Wilde | 89 | 50.5kg | 9 |
| 90 | ADMIRE ROBSON (JPN) | H | 7 | Paul Preusker | 90 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 91 | ADMIRE WINNER (JPN) | G | 7 | Paul Preusker | 91 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 92 | ALIFEROUS | M | 5 | Kris Lees | 92 | 50kg | 8.5 |
| 93 | ALMANIA (IRE) | G | 5 | Kris Lees | 93 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 94 | AMERICAN WHISKEY (USA) | H | 4 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 94 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 95 | ATTENTION RUN (GER) | M | 6 | Kris Lees | 95 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 96 | ATTORNEY (FR) | G | 6 | Matthew Smith | 96 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 97 | BARADE (FR) | G | 6 | Archie Alexander | 97 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 98 | BARTHOLOMEU DIAS (GB) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 98 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 99 | BENITOITE | M | 5 | Clinton McDonald | 99 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 100 | BOLLEVILLE (IRE) | M | 5 | Joseph O'Brien | 100 | 50kg | 8.5 |
| 101 | CADRE DU NOIR (USA) | H | 5 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 101 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 102 | COLLIDE (GB) | H | 6 | Kris Lees | 102 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 103 | CORMORANT (IRE) | H | 4 | Aidan O'Brien | 103 | 50kg | 9 |
| 104 | CRACK ON CRACK ON (GB) | G | 6 | Gary & John Moore | 104 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 105 | DADOOZDART (GB) | G | 5 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 105 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 106 | DAWN PATROL (IRE) | H | 4 | Aidan O'Brien | 106 | 50kg | 9 |
| 107 | DEGRAVES (IRE) | H | 4 | Joseph O'Brien | 107 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 108 | DELPHI (IRE) | H | 4 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 108 | 50kg | 7.5 |
| 109 | DJUKON (GB) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 109 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 110 | DON’T DOUBT DORY | G | 4 | Julien Welsh | 110 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 111 | ENGLISH KING (FR) | H | 4 | Ed Walker | 111 | 50kg | 9 |
| 112 | ENTENTE | G | 4 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 112 | 50kg | 9 |
| 113 | EXEMPLAR (IRE) | G | 7 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 113 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 114 | FEEL THE RUSH (NZ) | M | 4 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 114 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 115 | FLASH AAH | G | 5 | Mitchell Fry | 115 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 116 | FRANKELY AWESOME | M | 5 | Kris Lees | 116 | 50kg | 8.5 |
| 117 | FUN FACT | G | 5 | Bjorn Baker | 117 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 118 | FUTURE SCORE (IRE) | G | 6 | Matt Cumani | 118 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 119 | GAME KEEPER | G | 4 | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | 119 | 50kg | 9 |
| 120 | GLORY DAYS (NZ) | M | 8 | Bill Thurlow | 120 | 50kg | 8.5 |
| 121 | GOOD IDEA | G | 6 | Phillip Stokes | 121 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 122 | GRAND PROMENADE (GB) | G | 5 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 122 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 123 | HIGH EMOCEAN (NZ) | M | 4 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 123 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 124 | IMPACTFUL | G | 4 | Chris Waller | 124 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 125 | IN GOOD HEALTH | M | 5 | Peter G Moody | 125 | 50kg | 8 |
| 126 | INVOLVED (GB) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 126 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 127 | JACK REGAN (GB) | G | 6 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 127 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 128 | JUST THINKIN’ | G | 4 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 128 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 129 | KINANE (NZ) | G | 4 | Chris Waller | 129 | 50kg | 8.5 |
| 130 | KORCHO (GB) | H | 5 | Kris Lees | 130 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 131 | LATIN BEAT (IRE) | G | 7 | Saab Hasan | 131 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 132 | LOOK SHARPISH (NZ) | M | 4 | Leon & Troy Corstens | 132 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 133 | MASAFF (IRE) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 133 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 134 | MIDTERM (GB) | G | 8 | Michael & Luke Cerchi | 134 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 135 | MILESTONE (FR) | H | 5 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 135 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 136 | MIRIMAR (IRE) | G | 7 | Michael Moroney | 136 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 137 | MIYAKE | H | 4 | Chris Waller | 137 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 138 | MYTHICAL (FR) | H | 4 | Aidan O'Brien | 138 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 139 | NAVAL WARFARE (IRE) | G | 7 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 139 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 140 | NIMALEE | M | 4 | Matthew Smith | 140 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 141 | NOBEL PRIZE (IRE) | H | 4 | Aidan O'Brien | 141 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 142 | NORTHWEST PASSAGE | G | 7 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 142 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 143 | ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (IRE) | H | 4 | Aidan O'Brien | 143 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 144 | ORDEROFTHEGARTER (IRE) | H | 7 | Danny O'Brien | 144 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 145 | OUT OF THE PARK (NZ) | M | 6 | Henry Dwyer | 145 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 146 | PELONOMENA | M | 6 | Michael Kent | 146 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 147 | PERSAN | H | 4 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 147 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 148 | REALM OF FLOWERS | M | 4 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 148 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 149 | RIDER IN THE SNOW (FR) | G | 6 | Kris Lees | 149 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 150 | RONDINELLA (NZ) | M | 6 | John O'Shea | 150 | 50kg | 8 |
| 151 | ROYAL CROWN | G | 4 | Michael Kent | 151 | 50kg | 9 |
| 152 | SARACEN KNIGHT (IRE) | G | 6 | Danny O'Brien | 152 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 153 | SAUNTER BOY (FR) | G | 8 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 153 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 154 | SAVVY LAD (NZ) | G | 4 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 154 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 155 | SELINO (GB) | G | 5 | James Fanshawe | 155 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 156 | SHE’S IDEEL | M | 5 | Bjorn Baker | 156 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 157 | SIERRA SUE (NZ) | M | 4 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 157 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 158 | SIN TO WIN (NZ) | G | 8 | Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes | 158 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 159 | SKELM | G | 6 | Terry Kelly | 159 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 160 | SOUND OF CANNONS (GB) | H | 4 | John O'Shea | 160 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 161 | SOUTH PACIFIC (GB) | H | 5 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 161 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 162 | SUPER GIRL | M | 6 | Josh Julius | 162 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 163 | TAVIRUN (NZ) | G | 5 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 163 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 164 | THE KING (IRE) | G | 6 | Lindsey Smith | 164 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 165 | THINK IT OVER | G | 5 | Kerry Parker | 165 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 166 | TIGER MOTH (IRE) | H | 4 | Aidan O'Brien | 166 | 50kg | 7.5 |
| 167 | TINANDALI (IRE) | G | 5 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 167 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 168 | TORRENS | H | 4 | Ethan Ensby | 168 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 169 | VOYAGE DE LUNE | G | 4 | Saab Hasan | 169 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 170 | WALL OF FIRE (IRE) | G | 8 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 170 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 171 | WYCLIF (GB) | H | 4 | Danny O'Brien | 171 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 172 | YONKERS (USA) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 172 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 173 | ZACADA (NZ) | G | 8 | Jim & Greg Lee | 173 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 174 | ZAMOSA (NZ) | M | 5 | Mitchell Fry | 174 | 50kg | 9.5 |
| 175 | ALCYONE | C | 3 | James Cummings | 175 | 49kg | 9.5 |
