Northerly tops Melbourne weights

LEADING Australian horse Northerly has been handed top weight in the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 2.

The eight-year-old, a dual winner of the Cox Plate, has made an amazing comeback from a tendon injury sustained last April and has been given 9st 6lb for the big handicap.

With Ascot Gold Cup winner Papineau out for the season, the Mark Johnston-trained Bandari is the highest weighted of the British entries still among the possible runners on 9st 3lb.