George tops Melbourne weights

Order Of St George has been handed joint top weight for the Emirate Melbourne Cup.

Aidan O'Brien's charge was beaten in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh but he heads the weights for the Melbourne Cup alongside 2014 winner Protectionist.

The pair have been handed 58kg (9st 2lb) for the November 1 feature and Racing Victoria chief handicapper Greg Carpenter admits history will be against them if they line up in the 'Race That Stops a Nation'.

"There have been 23 original top weights contest the Melbourne Cup since Comic Court's win in 1950 and none have placed, so Order Of St George and Protectionist would rightly earn their place among the Cup's true greats if they were to be successful," Carpenter told racing.com.

"The handicap presents a challenge to both Order Of St George and Protectionist, however, they have earned their position at the head of the weights based on their performances over the past 12 months.

"The handicap presents a challenge to both Order Of St George and Protectionist, however, they have earned their position at the head of the weights based on their performances over the past 12 months."

Order Of St George's stable companion Idaho missed out in the Ladbrokes St Leger at the weekend but he could bid to make amends in Melbourne where he would be expected to carry 53kg (8st 5lb), while Bondi Beach has been handed 55kg (8st 9lb).

Irish St Leger winner Wicklow Brave will have to overcome a 55kg (8st 9lb) handicap if he is to provide Willie Mullins with his first winner in the race.

Prince Of Penzance has been allocated 56.5kg (8st 13lb) in his quest to land back-to-back renewals of the Melbourne Cup.

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