Military Mission handed Melbourne Cup 2023 penalty
Military Mission incurred a Melbourne Cup penalty for his win in last Saturday's Herbert Power Stakes, but he is not yet assured of a start in the big race on the first Tuesday in November.
Racing Victoria's head of handicapping David Hegan rehandicapped the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained stayer from 50.5kg to 51kg for the Melbourne Cup 2023 after his three-quarters-of-a-length win over United Nations in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m).
That lifts the son of Mastercraftsman to 33rd in order of the entry for a start in the 24-horse Melbourne Cup field on November 7.
"Military Mission carried 57kg in the Herbert Power Stakes on Saturday and he was too strong late for his rivals including Daqiansweet Junior who now meets him 0.5kg better in the Melbourne Cup for that run," said Hegan.
"The penalty takes into account his elevated domestic rating, which reflects the consistency of form of his last three starts; victory in the Group 3 Newcastle Cup, fourth in the Group 1 Metropolitan and first in Saturday's Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes.
"It is the joint lowest penalty given to a Herbert Power Stakes winner in the past decade, since Sea Moon took no penalty for his win when already at 56.5kg in the 2013 Melbourne Cup."
United Nations escaped penalty for finishing second in the Herbert Power, but improved his position in the order of entry from 50th to 45th, while third placegetter Ferago rose from 61st to 53rd after passing the first ballot clause.
Ladies Man was the other to enhance their chances of a start in the Melbourne Cup on Saturday, his win in the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) in New Zealand bumping him up from 52nd to 41st in the order of entry due to increased prizemoney.
Military Mission is currently a $51 chance in betting with Aussie bookies.
More Racing News
Vein Girl impresses in rich Magic Millions The Debut win
Vein Girl has put herself in contention for next month’s $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic with a strong win on debut under lights at the Gold Coast’s first night meeting. The Chris and Corey Munce-trained Vein Girl was sent out the $3.50 favourite with betting sites in Friday night’s $250,000...
Pallaton races into 2025 Golden Slipper contention
Pallaton has stamped himself as a two-year-old colt to watch heading into 2025 with an impressive debut win at Randwick. Trained by Michael Freedman and ridden by Tommy Berry, Pallaton raced to a 2-3/4-length victory in Saturday’s Shinzo @ Coolmore Plate (1000m) and firmed to be among the early favourites in Golden Slipper...
Arriving Home set to target the Magic Millions Guineas 2025
Trainer Bjorn Baker would love to get lightly raced filly Arriving Home into the Magic Millions Guineas next month after the three-year-old remained unbeaten with a tough win at Randwick. Stepping up from a midweek city maiden win at Warwick Farm on debut earlier this month into Saturday’s Petaluma Handicap (1300m) – a...
The Kings horse Gilded Water wins at Randwick
Imported stayer Gilded Water has made it back-to-back victories in Australia and has given his owner, His Majesty King Charles III, a winner at Royal Randwick. The King’s racing manager John Warren was on track at Randwick on Saturday as the Ciaron Maher-trained Gilded Water raced to a convincing victory in the...
Goldman digs deep in the Pakenham Cup 2024
One time Melbourne Cup favourite, Goldman has notched up his fourth win in Australia, leading throughout to take the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) under Beau Mertens. Jumping an $8.50 chance, Goldman’s staying prowess was on show as he kicked back to deny Grand Pierro ($19) by a long head, with $3.30 betting site...
Here To Shock gives Lindsay Park quinella in The Supernova
Ben, Will & Jd Hayes had the numbers two and three seed to knock off race-favourite Nadal in Saturday’s $1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham and did just that, with Here To Shock, ridden by Daniel Stackhouse, edging stablemate Arkansaw Kid in a thrilling stable quinella. Here To Shock ($4.60) trailed a strong...
Kevin Daffy happy to wait with Oh Too Good ahead of VOBIS Gold Bullion
Trainer Kevin Daffy says there is still plenty of time to chase the big league with his lightly-raced mare Oh Too Good. A winner of four of her seven starts with three runner-up finishes as well, Oh Too Hard runs in the VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m) at Pakenham on Saturday. Daffy was sounded...
Bedggood chases rich The Supernova prize
Two rising nine-year-olds, both resuming, will give Gavin Bedggood a potential shot at his biggest payday as a trainer. A former jockey, Bedggood has been plying his trade as a trainer since 2017 and during the recent Melbourne Spring Carnival prepared Mornington Glory to land his first Group 1 success. Just Folk and Windstorm, both...
Collett hoping for Dream Brisbane raid in BJ McLachlan Stakes and Magic Millions Falvelon
A pair of promising two-year-olds from the Ciaron Maher stable have lured top Sydney hoop Jason Collett to Queensland for back-to-back meetings this weekend. Collett is heading north to partner filly Life After Love in the $250,000 Magic Millions The Debut (1000m) at the Gold Coast on Friday night and her Maher-trained stablemate...
Theodore aims to keep strike-rate going in Christmas Cup at Murray Bridge
Trainer Stephen Theodore is looking to Divine Fire keeping his impressive strike-rate going when she shoots for a winning hat-trick on Saturday. After victories at Morphettville and Gawler, Divine Fire runs in the Christmas Cup (1600m) at Murray Bridge with Jacob Opperman in the saddle. Since returning to training ranks at the start of...
