Alandi heads Melbourne Cup weights Ex-Irish runner Alandi has been allotted top weight for the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 2. Formerly trained by John Oxx, last year's Irish St Leger and Prix du Cadran winner is now with Robert Hickmott and has been handed 58kg (9st 2lb) for the two-mile contest. Stablemate and 2007 race winner Efficient has been handed the same weight, with Godolphin's pair of Cavalryman and Mastery the highest rated British contenders on 57.5kg (9st 1lb). Dermot Weld's Ascot Gold Cup hero Rite Of Passage has 57kg (9st), the same weight as last year's winner Shocking. Campanologist has 56kg (8st 11lb), while William Knight's Illustrious Blue has been handed 55kg (8st 9lb), the same weight at Jeremy Noseda's Sans Frontieres. Luca Cumani has been agonisingly close to landing the prize twice and his Manighar (54kg/8st 7lb), Bauer (53.5kg/8st 6lb), Purple Moon (53.5kg) and Drunken Sailor (53kg/8st 5lb) are all still in the field. Weld's other possible Profound Beauty has 54kg (8st 7lb) with Michael Jarvis' Rainbow Peak and the John Gosden-trained King Of Wands both on 52.5kg (8st 4lb).
