French Melbourne Cup winners Americain and Dunaden will both be out to etch their names into history in Australia’s biggest race after receiving equal topweight of 58kg this morning.

Melbourne Cup winners Dunaden (pictured) and Americain will each have to carry 58kg if they run in this year's Cup. Photo by: Taron Clarke

It came as little surprise to see the classy stayers at the top of the list when weights were released but history is now against them as they attempt to score a second victory.

Only Think Big (1975) and Makybe Diva (2005) have lugged 58kg or more to victory from 36 horses who have attempted the feat since metric weights were introduced in 1972.

Americain carried the same weight to a fourth-place finish last year after winning in 2010 with 54.5kg while Dunaden’s weight rises 3.5kg as a result of his victory over Red Cadeaux last year.

Red Cadeaux has been allocated 55.5kg for his attempt to rectify last year’s runner-up finish which a represents two kilogram rise.

As expected, internationals dominate weights for the Melbourne Cup with six of the top 10 weighted horses trained overseas.

Of the Australian-trained entrants, only More Joyous (56kg) began her career here but the glamour mare is an unlikely starter.

The primary goal for the Gai Waterhouse-trained star will be the Cox Plate which is a target shared by multiple Group 1 winning import Manighar who is third in Melbourne Cup weights with 57kg.

The Peter Moody-trained gelding finished fifth in last year’s Melbourne Cup when carrying 54kg.

Other notable weights include 2007 winner Efficient (55kg), Luca Cumani-trained cup favourite Mount Athos (54kg), 2011 Caulfield Cup runner-up Green Moon (53.5kg), Dermot Weld’s Galileo’s Choice (53.5kg) and Australian Derby winner Ethiopia (53kg).