A record number of international horses are expected to compete in the Melbourne Cup as last year's winner Americain heads the weights for the $6.2 million race.Racing Victoria's international recruiting officer Leigh Jordon said at least 10 of the 25 northern hemisphere horses among the weights released on Tuesday could run in the 24-horse marathon on November 1."I think in the 2011 Melbourne Cup we'll probably have record international participation," Jordon said."In 2010 we had eight runners

A record number of international horses are expected to compete in the Melbourne Cup as last year's winner Americain heads the weights for the $6.2 million race.

Racing Victoria's international recruiting officer Leigh Jordon said at least 10 of the 25 northern hemisphere horses among the weights released on Tuesday could run in the 24-horse marathon on November 1.

"I think in the 2011 Melbourne Cup we'll probably have record international participation," Jordon said.

"In 2010 we had eight runners and in 2002 eight runners and I think we'll probably break that and get to a double digit (figure) and why shouldn't the race get that sort of interest from around the world.

"It's the richest turf handicap in the world and the (Australian) dollar is strong."

French-trained stayer Americain has been given topweight of 58kg in his bid to become just the fifth horse to win back-to-back Melbourne Cups.

Americain, who is in quarantine in England in readiness for his return to Australia on September 24, carried 54.5kg when victorious last year.

RVL chief handicapper Greg Carpenter said the task of Americain carrying 58kg was in a bid to win successive Cups was a significant challenge.

He said only Think Big (1975) and Makybe Diva (2005) are the only horses to carry 58kg or more to victory in the past 40 years.

"The Melbourne Cup is really now seen as the premier staying event in the world," he said.

"It's run under handicap conditions but without doubt it still provides the greatest quality staying test on the globe."

The top three weighted horses in the 3200m race are all internationals with 2010 USA Breeders Cup Turf winner Dangerous Midge on 57.5kg and fellow United Kingdom-trained stayer Jukebox Jury on 57kg.

Jukebox Jury dead-heated in the Irish St Leger (2800m) last weekend.

Godolphin's 2009 Arc De Triomphe placegetter Cavalryman has been allocated 55kg with emerging stablemate Lost In The Moment given 53kg, the same weight carried by the stable's past two Cup placegetters Crime Scene (second, 2009) and Beekeeper (third, 2002).

Red Cadeaux, who finished third in the Irish St Leger, has 53.5kg, while the talented Meeznah, an impressive Group Two winner in the UK last Thursday, is the highest-weighted mare on 53kg.

Shamrocker, the $12 Cup favourite with TAB Sportsbet, received 52kg while last year's runner-up Maluckyday has 54kg, up 3kg on last year.

The highest-weighted Australian entry is last year's Caulfield Cup winner Descarado with 56kg, 2kg more than he carried when he failed to finish in last year's race.

Second favourite December Draw has been lifted 0.5kg on his Caulfield Cup weight to 50.5kg courtesy of his effortless 2000m Flemington win on September 3.

Kiwi mare and third favourite Scarlett Lady, the impressive winner of the Queensland Oaks, has 51kg.

Three-time Melbourne Cup winning owner Lloyd Williams has 12 horses entered, his highest weighted runners being imports Alandi and Midas Touch on 55kg.