Sunday win had no effect on Order Of St George Melbourne Cup weight

Darryl Sherer - Wednesday September 13

Sunday's Irish St Leger win did not impact upon Order Of St George's weight in the 2017 Melbourne Cup.

Advertisement
Greg Carpenter with the 2017 Melbourne Cup trophy. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Raving Victoria Handicapper Greg Carpenter said the nine length win by Order Of St George over Torcedor did not change his last thought on the weight but confirmed to him 58kg was correct.

"I certainly wasn't locked in to 58kg but when I looked at the rating of Torcedor and Mount Moriah who ran third - they were rated 110 and 106 respectively so if they have run to their very best the rating is correct.

"It's not a case of looking at the margin and saying he (Order Of St George) has to be higher.

"To a point, the differential between Order Of St George and Torcedor in the Irish St Leger was virtually the same as in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot."

Over the past four decades, 35 horses have carried 58kg or more in a Melbourne Cup with only Makybe Diva winning with 58kg in 2005.

Carpenter also drew comparison with previous European Group I winners running in the Melbourne Cup.

"We've seen a champion like Yeats come to the Melbourne Cup and run bravely and not win, a multiple Irish St Leger winner like Vinnie Roe who was arguably unlucky to come up against Makybe Diva," Carpenter said.

"It is a challenge to win the Melbourne Cup with 58kg and we know the only horse that's done it is Makybe Diva.

"With a horse like Order Of St George, he's won three Group Is - if you were talking about an Arc winner or a horse that's won multiple Group I races as Yeats did then 58kg is not the ceiling but you have to be realistic.

"It is the third year he (Order Of St George) has been entered and I would be bitterly disappointed if connections did not accept the challenge of competing in the world's best 3200m race at Flemington."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Godolphin’s Kin Wins Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic
After recording her first black type victory during last year’s spring carnival, the James Cummings trained Kin has produced three quality black type efforts during the Queensland carnival, resulting in a thoroughly deserving victory in Saturday's $160,000 Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1200m) at Ipswich.
Three on the Trot for Zousain 3YO
The Paul Shailer stable has been flying over the winter carnival and one of the stable stars has been Zousain gelding Mister Bianco, who made it three wins in succession when taking out the $150,000 Schweppes TL Cooney (1350m) at Ipswich on Saturday.
Tassie Derby Winner Strikes Form at Flemington
Four-year-old Bold Soul returned to winning ways at Flemington, where he again emphasised his depths of stamina, repelling the challenge of Goldenstatewarrior and Muktamil under apprentice jockey Thomas Prebble.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 21
Here is the full list of 101 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Second Stakes Success For More Than Ready’s Oughton
The well-travelled Oughton (More Than Ready) added Saturday’s $200,000 Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) to his previous success in the Listed Tattersall's Recognition Stakes, off the back of a tendon injury which put an end to his stint in Hong Kong.
Royal Ascot Day 5 – Runaway, Rising Empire and My Best Friend
After five spectacular days of racing, Royal Ascot is over with the finale overnight producing high drama with a runaway G1 winner, the rise of a racing empire and the first stakes horse for St Mark’s Basilica.
One to Watch Wins Again!
It might be winter and all eyes may have been on Royal Ascot this week, but there was a winner at Flemington on Saturday that will have caught the eye of anyone with half an interest towards spring racing and emerging talent.
Bonny Grey Mare Wins G3 Strickland
Last December at Ascot, popular grey mare Admiration Express (My Admiration) nearly caused the upset result of the year when she charged home at odds of 100/1 in the G1 Northerly Stakes for second behind Victorian raider Light Infantry Man.
Headley Grange Gives Exosphere 11th Stakes Winner
A model of consistency with 17 top four placed finishes from 18 starts, Joe Pride’s 4yo Exosphere gelding Headley Grange stepped up to black type race for the first time with instant success, winning the $200,000 Listed ATC Civic Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.
Aussie Golden Eagle Form Delivers Royal Ascot G1 Finale
There were a couple of Aussie elements to the brilliant victory of Lazzat in the Group I Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (6f) at Royal Ascot overnight as he came to our shores last year and very nearly won the $10million Golden Eagle.