Racing Victoria (RV) Executive General Manager – Racing, Greg Carpenter, has today (Monday) announced that Big Memory has been re-handicapped to 52.5kg in next month’s $6.2 million Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m).
The weight includes a 2kg penalty issued (Monday) to the Tony McEvoy-trained French import for his win in Saturday’s Group 2 Sportingbet Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield.
Under the conditions of the Herbert Power, the five-year-old gelding was unable to re-handicapped in Saturday’s $3 million Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup (2400m) – a race for which he is now guaranteed a start.
“Big Memory was very strong in winning the Herbert Power and recording his second black type win of the year at 2400 metres or further. It was a performance that was full of merit,” Carpenter said.
“Whilst he could not be re-handicapped in the Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup, he has been handed a 2kg penalty in the Emirates Melbourne Cup which lifts him to 37th in the Order of Entry with 52.5kg.
“With the penalty he now has 5.5kg less than topweight Admire Rakti in the Melbourne Cup, compared to 6kg less than Admire Rakti in the Caulfield Cup for which he could not be penalised.
“Whilst it is a significant penalty, the horse is still far from guaranteed a start in the Melbourne Cup.”
The 2kg penalty, which is the same handed to Leica Falcon in 2005, sees Big Memory meet Protectionist (fourth) 2kg worse and Lord Van Percy (fifth) 1.5kg worse in the Melbourne Cup for his victory over the pair in the Herbert Power.
The last horse to complete the Herbert Power-Melbourne Cup double with Rogan Josh in 1999.
– Racing Victoria
