Kew Gardens heads Melbourne Cup weights

Defending champion Cross Counter has been given 57.5kg for this year’s Melbourne Cup, 0.5kg less than the Aidan O’Brien-trained 2018 English St Leger winner Kew Gardens who heads the weights with 58kg.

The Charlie Appleby-trained Cross Counter has 6.5kg more than he carried to victory in 2018 in the $8 million race at Flemington.

Handicaps for the $5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) have also been released, with the James Cummings-trained Godolphin stablemates Hartnell and Avilius heading the weights with 58kg.