Reigning Melbourne Cup winner Almandin will have to carry 56.5kg if he is to defend his title.

The Lloyd Williams-owned stayer won the 2016 Melbourne Cup with 52kg.

Williams is also a part-owner of the Aidan O’Brien-trained dual Irish St Leger winner Order Of St George who is the Melbourne Cup topweight with 58kg.

Hartnell is the topweight for the Caulfield Cup with 58kg and has 57.5kg for the Melbourne Cup in which he ran third last year carrying 56kg.

Racing Victoria’s chief handicapper Greg Carpenter also announced on Tuesday the Caulfield Cup winner will not be penalised for the Melbourne Cup if it already has 56kg or more.

Melbourne Cup weights click here

Caulfield Cup weights click here

Credit: AAP