October
OctoberWeight's not right
The Melbourne Cup weights have been released and again we see that not one horse has been asked to carry weight-for-age.
To me this seems wrong for a $6 million race. I really believe that this 58kg topweight rule is having a negative effect on the handicapping. I know that Order of St George is not running, but really he should have received a 60kg handicap.
Also, the new penalty conditions for the Melbourne Cup are contentious to say the least. Surely a horse that wins a $3 million handicap race over 2400 metres should be rehandicapped, especially as winners of races of much lesser value can be.
Instead of winners of races such as the Metropolitan, the Geelong Cup and the Bendigo Cup being rehandicapped, it would be fairer if they were given automatic entry into the cup.
In my view it is not the VRC’s job to prop up the Caulfield Cup. It is up to the MRC to do what it wishes with its own cup. It is not a lead-up race. It stands on its own.
I used to love the Melbourne Cup but it has lost its charm. I get the impression that the VRC wouldn’t mind if the entire field came from overseas. Certainly we know that most of the field will be imported and the majority will be at least seven years old.
On another topic, with the Mackinnon Stakes now being run two weeks after the Cox Plate (an overdue change), wouldn’t it be good to see top overseas horses running in it, even if it meant the Mackinnon becoming a richer race than the Cox Plate?
Winx has been to Melbourne twice but only now, on her third visit, is she to run at Flemington. Sunline and Northerly never ran at the four-day VRC carnival.
Personally I would prefer more top horses at Flemington and fewer of these old plodders that come for the Cup.
Frankston South (Vic)