Americain has been allocated the top weight of 58kg for the Melbourne Cup

Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Americain has officially been allocated the top weight of 58 kilograms in this year’s $6 million race.

This weight is 3.5 kilograms more than the 54.5 kilograms he carried during his three length victory of the race last year.

In the past 30 years Makybe Diva is the only horse to have carried 58 kilograms or more to win the Melbourne Cup.

Racing Victoria handicapper Greg Carpenter believes the weight increase is fair considering the dominance of his last win.

“Americain was a dominant winner of the race last year in what was one of the most competitive editions of the Melbourne Cup ever staged,” Mr Carpenter said.

“The task of carrying 58kg, an increase of 3.5kg on his weight in 2010, provides a significant challenge in his bid to win successive Cups.”

International Melbourne Cup hopefuls feature heavily in the top weight positions, with Dangerous Midge being allocated 57.5 kilograms and Jukebox Jury being given 57 kilograms.

“Jukebox Jury has been in outstanding form in Europe this season having defeated fellow Cup aspirants Americain, Manighar, Dunaden and Red Cadeaux to win the Prix Kergorlay over 3000 metres in France, before sharing the prize with Duncan in Saturday’s Irish St Leger,” Mr Carpenter said.

“He is undefeated at distances beyond 2400m and has now won two Group 1 races, as well as being a four time winner at Group 2 level.”

This year’s weights were released later in the carnival to allow early spring performances to be included.

“A later release of the Melbourne Cup weights has allowed more form to be built into the handicaps and impressive victories to Modun, Trusting and December Draw have all seen varying increases in their weights when compared to their Caulfield Cup mark,” Mr Carpenter said.