- Jockey Declan Bates wants Melbourne Cup weights adjusted
- He says people are older today and the breed should reflect that.
Melbourne Cup jockey Declan Bates is calling on Racing Victoria to consider adjusting jockey weights for the nation-stopping race after a turbulent build-up to Tuesday’s race.
Bates, 36, earned a trip to the 2024 Melbourne Cup on Chris Waller’s Manzoice on Saturday.
He was originally meant to ride Mahrajaan but was scratched over the weekend after failing veterinary tests.
Bates will pilot Manzoice at 51kg, just one kilo more than his 50kg allowance.
“Because he was 50kg I didn’t go looking for him, but I think they were struggling to find someone because they called me and asked me what weight I could ride,” Bates said. Racing.com.
‘I said 51kg would be my minimum and they were happy to have me even a kilo heavier.
“He’s great, he’s a Chris Waller horse, he’s a master trainer and he’s a Melbourne Cup ride. You certainly have to make the most of it.”
As a lighter rider, Bates has made the most of the situation, but believes the big race should adapt to the times and consider increasing the weight in the future.
Declan Bates (pictured right riding Herman Hesse) is asking Racing Victoria to consider adjusting the weights for the big race.
Bates says people are bigger these days and the weights of Cup riders like Jamie Kah (pictured) should reflect that.
“The public wants to see the best riders, but from our perspective it’s about taking advantage of the opportunities that arise,” he said.
“It’s good to see some lightweight riders taking advantage of the situation, and I guess that’s what I’ve done too.”
“But in 2024, there won’t be as many riders walking around with 50kg as there were maybe 30 years ago.
“People are a lot bigger in general now and I think the weights should reflect that.”
Jockey James McDonald, who won the Melbourne Cup in 2021, has no ride this year after Via Sistina withdrew.
The popular hoop weighs 55kg and is rarely lighter.
