Dunaden Penalty 1KG

Racing Victoria’s Chief Handicapper, Greg Carpenter, has penalised Dunaden 1kg for winning the Caulfield Cup, taking his weight to 59kg for the Melbourne Cup.

The handicapper had no option but to issue the penalty, which is a fair one, he has taken many factors into consideration before reaching his decision.

Dunaden won the Caulfield Cup well with 58kg; it is fair to say he earned the extra 1kg, that shouldn’t make the difference between winning and losing.

I would say the handicapper has been kind to Dunaden, the horse is not overburdened by any means, and he is in the Melbourne Cup with a real live chance.

A win would elevate him into an elite bracket, the highest winning weight carried since Rain Lover’s second Cup win in 1969, carrying 60.5kg.

Race names need some attention

We recognise that race clubs will always be in need of sponsorship, it has become almost an essential as clubs strive to increase prize money and balance their budgets.

In return sponsors have the right to market their products through the naming of races, in the majority of instances it has worked quite well.

There doesn’t appear to be any problems with the city race clubs, the same cannot be said for some of the provincial clubs, they could be more discreet in the naming of races.

Cranbourne, on Thursday last, was a perfect example of poor naming of a race, Sheree, Will You Marry Me ?   This rxample does nothing to enhance the image of the racing industry; we can do without that sort of nonsense.  

Scratching Of Philippi

There is nothing amiss with Philippi, a late scratching from the Norman Robinson Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

The colt has gone to the paddock, he will complete a spell of  five weeks before he begins his preparation leading into the autumn, the prime target being the Australian Guineas.

Michael Kent never had any intention of running Philippi in the Derby; he is too smart for that, starting an immature three year old over 2500 metres on one preparation would have been too much for the colt.

Of what we have seen to date Philippi, by Host, is potentially the most promising three year old seen out this season, the autumn could be his oyster.