Racing Victoria (RV) Executive General Manager - Racing & Participant Wellbeing, Greg Carpenter, has today announced that he has issued a 2.5kg weight penalty in the $7.3 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) to the Aidan O'Brien-trained stayer Yucatan.
Yucatan, who was originally allocated 52kg, now moves to 54.5kg and 24th position in the ballot for the Flemington feature on Tuesday, 6 November, after his emphatic win in Saturday’s Group 2 Ladbrokes Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield (2400m).
The Irish import has also gained an exemption into the $5.15m Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (2400m) following his weekend win, however under the conditions of the Cup, Yucatan cannot be penalised and remains on 52kg for this Saturday’s event.
Carpenter said: “Yucatan’s win on Saturday was incredibly impressive, and a significant step up on his previous form in Europe this year.
“While the official winning margin on Saturday was 1.25 lengths, he was more than six lengths in front at the 100m mark before his jockey James McDonald eased him down.
“Yucatan will meet significantly stronger opposition in the Lexus Melbourne Cup, but the absolute dominance of his Herbert Power win demands a significant penalty and as a consequence he has been given 2.5kg and now has 54.5kg.”
The largest penalty given to previous winners of the Herbert Power has been 2kg to Amralah in 2015 and Big Memory in 2014, neither of whom ran in the Melbourne Cup.
Leica Falcon, who ran fourth to Makybe Diva in 2005, and Great Vintage, who ran fourth to Vintage Crop in 1993, were also issued 2kg penalties after winning the Herbert Power.
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here to view the Stella Artois Caulfield Cup Order of Entry.
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here to view the Lexus Melbourne Cup Order of Entry.