Incentivise will carry 57kg in the $8m G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) after being penalised 1.5kg for his emphatic Caulfield Cup win.
Greg Carpenter, Racing Victoria’s Executive General Manager of Racing, described Incentivise as “arguably the most impressive Caulfield Cup victor since Might And Power”, sharing that honour with 2016 winner Jameka.
However, Carpenter resisted the temptation of allocating 2kg which is the equal highest weight penalty Carpenter has given for a Caulfield Cup winner in Melbourne Cup contention since handicapping both Cups from 2005.
“Incentivise was imperious in winning the Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup on Saturday and, along with Jameka in 2016, arguably the most impressive Cup victor since Might and Power won by 7.5 lengths and broke the track record in 1997,” Carpenter said in a statement.
“Incentivise faces new challenges at Flemington on the first Tuesday in November, extending to 3200 metres for the first time and tackling international contenders in defending champion Twilight Payment and world class English stayer Spanish Mission.
“That said, those who finished well behind him on Saturday were entitled to some relief in the weights come Flemington. With second placegetter Nonconformist not entered for the Lexus Melbourne Cup, his nearest Caulfield Cup rival was 5.25 lengths in arrears.
“In the context of modern Cup history, a 1.5kg penalty and Incentivise’s new weight of 57kg represents a significant challenge for the newest star of Australian racing to deliver trainer Peter Moody his first Melbourne Cup victory, but it’s one that is not insurmountable given his current form.”
Incentivise won the $5m G1 Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup (2400m) by 3.5 lengths, the widest margin since Might And Power in 1997, carrying equal topweight of 55.5kg.
Might And Power, under Carpenter’s predecessor Jim Bowler, received the heaviest Caulfield Cup weight penalty ahead of the Melbourne Cup, rising 3.5kg from 52.5kg to 56kg.
The 1.5kg penalty is the same afforded to Jameka after her dominant victory in the 2016 Caulfield Cup. She carried 54.5kg, with weights raised 0.5kg at final acceptances, when ultimately finishing 15th in the Melbourne Cup.
The last male horse to win the Melbourne Cup with 57kg or more was Gold And Black in 1977. Champion mare Makybe Diva won her third consecutive Melbourne Cup carrying 58kg in 2005.
– racing.com
