We’re only five weeks away from seeing the 2023 Melbourne Cup live at Flemington. We’ve already seen how ante-post favourite Vauban has been given 55kg for the race, but now another big contender has copped a penalty.
Just Fine has been given his penalty having won the Metropolitan on Saturday. The Randwick success moves him up to 53kg from 52.5kg.
That former royal-owned winner will surely head to Melbourne now. A current one however, Desert Hero, is set to remain in England.
Just Fine Now 3-3 in Australia
Just Fine, formerly trained by Sir Michael Stoute, is now three from three and unbeaten in Australia. Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the improving stayer even smashed the track record at Randwick on Saturday by winning the Metropolitan over 2400m.
That win under Rachel King came while carrying 50kg. He was due to carry 52.5kg in the Cup, though he now has to be reassessed. He gets a half-kilo penalty for his win. That shouldn’t stop him on its own, so connections now are expecting a massive run at Flemington on November 7.
The handicapper reckons that his 0.5kg penalty simply confirms the level he is now at. His last two runs have been impressive.
On Saturday he beat a number of horses who could be Melbourne Cup bound. When factoring in that, as well as his new domestic rating, the Group 1 winner had to have his Cup weight altered and that seems fair enough.
Much more importantly, Just Fine’s Randwick win made sure that he passed the first ballot. He now stands at 30th in the order of entry.
Desert Hero Staying at Home in England
Having been a well fancied $13 shot after running a big race in the St Leger, northern hemisphere three-year-old Desert Hero will now not be running in the Melbourne Cup.
Owned by the King and Queen, the son of Sea The Stars had been a Royal Ascot winner in June. He also took down the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
His owners were at Doncaster Racecourse to see him attempt the final Classic of the year. Ultimately, he came up just a little short in the St Leger when running a strong third. At that point, the King and trainer William Haggas were considering a trip to the Melbourne Cup. That is now off.
Vet Checks Had Been Passed
The trip to Flemington was a very serious consideration for Desert Hero. He passed the necessary veterinary checks put forward by the VRC. Despite coming through those with flying colours, connections have decided it is not in his best interests to come to Australia at this stage of his career.
The King and Queen’s racing manager is John Warren he has spoke out about Desert Hero. He said simply that while the Melbourne Cup was very tempting, it won’t happen this year. We may yet see him in the race in the future.
