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Penalty in Cup for Grand Promenade

Last Saturday’s Bart Cummings winner Grand Promenade will now be given an extra 1kg burden in the 2021 Melbourne Cup.

In scoring impressively in the Group 3 contest at Flemington, Grand Promenade guaranteed his place in the Cup in November.

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained son of Champs Elysees earned a ballot exemption for the Melbourne Cup in the $750,000 race, a run that also earned him some short betting quotes for the $8 million spectacular.

Read the latest Grand Promenade odds here as well as the Melbourne Cup betting offers for existing customers.

1kg Penalty Standard for Bart Cummings

After moving up to 52kg in the Melbourne Cup, Grand Promenade was praised by Racing Victoria’s chief handicapper. Greg Carpenter had to add the penalty to his win in line with other Bart Cummings winners in recent times.

Maher and Eustance’s trainee joins the likes of Persan and Surprise Baby who were also lumped with 1kg penalties after the Bart Cummings. In their case, both runners went on to finish fifth in the Melbourne Cup.

Grand Promenade’s connections can take plenty of heart from 2016 Bart Cummings winner Almandin. He also received the 1kg penalty, but went on to land the Melbourne Cup that year.

The 2021 Bart Cummings was also a successful one for the Symon Wilde-trained Rose Of Tralee. In finishing runner-up to Grand Promenade, the mare was bumped up in the Melbourne Cup order of entry from 37th to 31st giving her real hope of a start.

Cup Favourite Escapes Penalty

Hot Melbourne Cup favourite Incentivise actually managed to escape a Cup penalty for his own big-race win at Flemington over the weekend. Just 40 minutes before Grand Promenade’s victory, Peter Moody’s impressive galloper was taking down Verry Elleegant and the likes in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes.

Owing to the set weights attached to the Turnbull, winners there cannot receive a Melbourne Cup penalty. He can also not be penalised for the Caulfield Cup, for which he is favourite and carries 55.5kg. His next big assignment is on October 16.

What will be in connections’ minds however is that penalties are accrued for the Cup from Caulfield. If winning the Caulfield Cup, Incentivise will be hit with more weight by the handicapper which is something punters should keep in mind for advance betting purposes.

Montefilia Also Gets Penalty as Trainers Seek Ballot Exemptions

Over in Sydney, Montefilia was also given a 1kg penalty. In this case, the penalty is given for both the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup. It comes after David Payne’s filly just about got the better of favourite Entente in the Metropolitan Handicap.

Also already just about guaranteed to line-up in both major races, Montefilia’s win was still crucial. She was taking her third Group 1 victory on Saturday after landing the Flight Stakes and Spring Champion Stakes previously.

Meanwhile, those looking to run in the Caulfield Cup have three further chances to earn a ballot exemption. To get into the $5 million showpiece automatically, trainers are aiming at this Saturday and next Wednesday.

The weekend sees the Might and Power take place at Group 1 level over 2000 metres. The Herbert Power Stakes (Group 2) is also run over 2400 metres offering Caulfield Cup ballot exemption.
Next Wednesday offers one more shot at Caulfield’s star prize. The Group 3 Coongy Handicap over 2000 metres will be the last effective “win and you’re in” event.

Read more news about the Melbourne Cup.

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Vauban to Have Second Go at Cup

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Gary Christie
135 articles
For more than 20 years, Gary has been immersed in the worlds of sports writing and betting. As well as writing on the subjects of sports and horse racing, Gary has spent years privately handicapping horse races around the world in order to bet professionally. While having appeared on TV and spoken publicly at racecourses, Gary has a passion for writing. He produces articles every day for various territories including North America, UK, Europe and Australia.
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18+ | Please play responsibly | What are you really gambling with? | Terms and Conditions apply | Commercial content