Naturalism Stakes winner Zahrann penalised following Caulfield victory

Ciaron Maher-trained import Zahrann has been handed a 0.5kg weight penalty for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups following his impressive win in Saturday’s Group 3 Tobin Brothers Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.

Zahrann’s Naturalism victory saw the five-year-old become the fifth horse alongside his stablemates Royal Supremacy and Kings Valley, Roger Varian’s Enfjaar, and Saturday’s Group 1 Henley Homes Underwood Stakes (1800m) winner Birdman (Chris Waller) to secure ballot exemption for the $6.55 million Sportsbet Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday, 17 October. 

The penalty sees Zahrann rise to 53kg in the weight scale for the Caulfield Cup and 54.5kg in the $10.2 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) on Tuesday, 3 November where he moves up one place in the order of entry to 38th.

The entire is now outright favourite for the Caulfield Cup at $5 and joint favourite for the Melbourne Cup at $11 alongside Joseph O’Brien’s Defiantly with connections hoping he can emulate the deeds of 2025 Naturalism winner Half Yours.

“Zahrann marked his best performance on Australian shores by winning Saturday’s Naturalism Stakes through a perfect Ethan Brown ride for which he is worthy of a penalty for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups,” said David Hegan, RV Head of Handicapping.

“The 0.5kg penalty means he will meet the horses he defeated on Saturday between 2kg and 3kg worse off in both Cups which is an important reassessment but warranted given the strength of his win which follows on from his good form in Europe last year.”

Another of Maher’s Cups hopefuls, Saint George, has now passed the first elimination clause for the Caulfield Cup following his runner-up finish in the Naturalism which moves him up significantly from equal 95th to 42nd in the order of entry where he sits with 53.5kg.

Saturday’s Group 2 Kingston Town (2000m) winner The Euphrates has also now passed the first elimination clause for the Caulfield Cup and climbs from equal 99th to 51st in the order of entry. 

Due to the Kingston Town being run under set weights and penalties conditions, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s gelding is not eligible to receive a penalty and remains on 52.5kg.

Both Saint George and The Euphrates are still yet to pass the Melbourne Cup first elimination clause with a peak performance over 2300m or further their most likely avenue to do so across the next month.

Matthew Smith’s untapped stayer Aethelwulf, winner of Friday’s Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m), boosted his chances of securing a start in the Melbourne Cup and has now passed the first elimination clause, rising from 83rd to 64th in the order of entry. Hegan explained that the win did not warrant any weight penalty.

Second acceptances for the Sportsbet Caulfield Cup close tomorrow, Tuesday, 22 September, at 12 noon, while first acceptances for the Lexus Melbourne Cup close on Tuesday, 29 September at 12 noon.
 

To view the updated Caulfield Cup order of entry, please click here.

To view the updated Melbourne Cup order of entry, please click here.