The Parramatta Cup runner-up two starts ago already had to create a modern day weight carrying record under the quality handicap conditions of the listed race before drawing the widest barrier of the 17 final acceptances on Wednesday.

Supply And Demand will need to carry 1kg more than the 61kg Hofmeister shouldered in the race 11 years ago.

The remainder of the 16 Gold Cup runners are weighted on the minimum with 54kg with the biggest challenges expected to come from the David Hayes-Tom Dabernig chance Sin To Win and up and coming Wodonga stayer Willi Willi, who was a Flemington winner over 1800m three starts ago.

Noel Callow has been booked to ride Supply And Demand for Waterhouse and her training partner, Adrian Bott.

Callow, who rarely rides below 55kg, made the move to Sydney last month and has already ridden 12 winners.

He has won five group one races on Australian soil and also had a lengthy stint riding in Singapore.

Racing analyst Chris Scholtz said Supply And Demand was one of Waterhouse’s best chances in the Gold Cup.

“I do trust the barrier won’t influence a change of plans,” he said.

“He is a go-forward horse and it is the big asset he has got.

“Noel Callow, I’m sure, will be aggressive from that barrier and push forward early and then try and give him the best run he can under the big weight.

“The fact he has got 62kg creates a lot of interest.”

The 2018 Gold Cup field is down in standard compared to previous years, but is expected to be a full field with one emergency, Butler Butler.

Scholtz conceded the Gold Cup had a lot of opposition this year from meetings in Sydney and Melbourne.

“This year is just one of those years where other factors have had an impact,” he said.

“I don’t think there should be a real knee-jerk reaction to this year.”

At least five horses are set to back-up from racing at Albury last Sunday including Albury Mile winner Pittsburgh and three-year-old Nothin’ Like Harry.