Racing Victoria changes Melbourne Cup penalty rules for Caulfield Cup winner

Brad Waters - Wednesday September 13

Racing Victoria has announced a significant change in the weight penalty process for the Melbourne Cup.

Advertisement
Photo: Darryl Sherer

Under the new rules, the winner of the Caulfield Cup will not be penalized for the Melbourne Cup if that horse has a handicap of 56kg or more in the Flemington event.

If the Caulfield Cup winner has a Melbourne Cup handicap of less than 56kg, the penalty issued for the Caulfield Cup victory will not push its Melbourne Cup weight above 56kg.

Racing Victoria's Executive General Manager – Racing, Greg Carpenter, said the new policy came after consultation with both the Melbourne Racing Club and Victoria Racing Club and was the result of historical analysis of the weights carried by Melbourne Cup winners.

Carpenter noted only one of the last 10 Melbourne Cup winners, Viewed in 2008, ran in that year's Caulfield Cup while no Caulfield Cup winner that has carried more than 56kg in the Melbourne Cup has filled a place in the great race over the last 40 years.

"This is the first time since 2010 that the handicaps for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups have been released on the same day, and we were keen to reinvigorate the famous link between these two great Australian races," Carpenter said in a statement.

"There has been much debate around the impact the prospect of a weight penalty in the Melbourne Cup has had in dissuading connections from competing in the Caulfield Cup, and our analysis shows that there is indeed evidence to support this.

"I want to ensure that people understand that any horse given 56kg or more in the Melbourne Cup will by definition already have a well-established performance profile.

"History shows that in the past 40 years, no horse has been able to complete the Cups double carrying more than 56kg in the Melbourne Cup. Gurner's Lane (1982) and Might and Power (1997) both carried 56kg to victory and won narrowly, with the second-placed horses carrying more in the weights.

"In saying that, it is entirely appropriate to consider issuing an additional penalty to a progressive or emerging stayer further down the weights in the Melbourne Cup if successful in Caulfield's premier race.

"The same logic will be applied to any other race where the winner is liable for a re-handicap after the release of weights. Ultimately, in issuing a penalty, the handicapping panel believe that the quantum of the penalty itself is less important than where it takes the horse in the weights scale."

Five Caulfield Cup winners have gone on to complete the Melbourne Cup double in the last 40 years with none carrying more than 56kg.

Gurner's Lane and Might And Power in 1982 and 1997 respectively both carried 56kg but received weight off the respective runners-up Kingston Town (59kg) and Doriemus (57.5kg)

Advertisment
More Reading...
Expensive Super Seth 3YO Bolts in by Five!
Smart three-year-old Street Artist notched his first victory in impressive style when leading throughout to defeat a strong maiden field over 1000m at Mornington on Friday by nearly five lengths.
Sires With Winners - Friday September 5
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Will Macdonald Joins Astute Bloodstock
Astute Bloodstock is delighted to announce the expansion of our team as we continue to meet increasing client demand and pursue our Group 1 ambitions.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 AJ Moir Stakes
The Valley blasts into spring G1 action with the running of the $750,000 AJ Moir Stakes WFA at 1000m, and it's always an exciting spectacle when a full field of flyers are going full bore on the turning track!
One to Watch – Wyong
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable have been running hot into spring and unleashed a talented Wootton Bassett (GB) colt at Wyong on Friday that bolted in to win by nearly five lengths.
Mitchell McKenzie Colts Showcase
All eyes will be on the $175,000 Listed MVRC Mitchell McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday with an intriguing field of nine colts and geldings all vying for that all important first stakes win.
Kiwi Melbourne Cup Contender Kicks off at The Valley
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Mark Twain has landed in Melbourne and will commence his path towards the iconic feature at The Valley on Saturday.
Justify Mare Wins $250,000 Wyong Mona Lisa Stakes
A big field of 14 mares went around in the $250,000 Listed Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) at Wyong on Friday and the race produced a thrilling finish with less than two lengths separating  the first eight over the line with Just Feelin’ Lucky taking the prize.
Ole Kirk share headlines strong September (Early) Online Sale
A share in - and mares in foal to - reigning Champion First Season Sire Ole Kirk are joined by a bevy of quality racing and breeding stock in the Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding.
$1.65million Invincible Colt Hostility Resuming on Saturday
Te Akau Racing will hold a strong hand on Proisir Plate Day at Ellerslie on Saturday, particularly in the age group features.