Runaway Caulfield Cup winner Incentivise has now been handed a 1.5kg weight penalty for the Melbourne Cup.
Peter Moody’s star will now have to carry 57kg at Flemington on November 2. That burden sees him carry the same weight as second-favourite Spanish Mission, as well as Verry Elleegant. Former champ Twilight Payment remains top weight on 58kg.
Read the latest Incentivise odds here as well as the Melbourne Cup betting offers for existing customers.
Moody Runner So Impressive in Caulfield Cup
The impressive five-year-old was already leading the market for the big one in two weeks’ time before Saturday’s Caulfield Cup, but after romping home from a wide barrier by 3½ lengths he has now cemented his place at the head of the betting.
Many thought the Caulfield Cup may have been a step too far for Brett Prebble’s mount. Giving weight away, he was handed a nightmare barrier in 18 but was a strong favourite anyway.
Likely challenger Nonconfirmist made his move around 500 metres out, but in the end was no match for this taking gelding who streaked away in mightily impressive fashion.
That win was Incentivise’s third straight in Group 1 company. His winning run now stretches to nine, and all since winning his maiden only in April at the Sunshine Coast.
Cup Favourite Will Now Need to Make History
While still not carrying top weight and undoubtedly winning over everyone in the industry with each display, Incentivise will now need to make history if he’s to land the Melbourne Cup under his new weight.
The 1.5kg penalty handed out by chief handicapper Greg Carpenter puts him in a unique bracket if successful at Flemington. Only the great Makybe Diva has carried more weight to win in the last 44 years. Gold And Black did carry 57kg to win for Bart Cummings, that victory coming way back in 1977.
For his part Carpenter has described the progress made by Incentivise as “astonishing”. Recent wins in the Makybe Diva, Turnbull Stakes and now the Caulfield cup have seen to that. Not many will argue either, though he will need to take another step forward to score after Carpenter parked a truck on him.
Former Cox Plate Winner Sir Dragonet Passes
On a fantastic weekend for the sport there was also a tinge of sadness. 2020 Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet, entered in the 2021 Melbourne Cup, had his life claimed by a trackwork injury.
Once favourite for the Derby in England and subsequently a true star of the Australian turf scene, Sir Dragonet broke down while working early at Moonee Valley.
Still very valuable despite being a full horse, Sir Dragonet was working before the defence of his Cox Plate crown. The injury he suffered was not survivable, leading to a real mix of emotions for owner Neil Werrett.
Werrett was understandably devasted at the news of Sir Dragonet’s passing, but had a prominent runner just hours later in The Everest. His runner, Masked Crusader, was only narrowly beaten there by a head behind Nature Strip on a day of bittersweet emotions in the camp.
Read more news about the Melbourne Cup.
