Grand Marshal enhances Cup credentials after avoiding re-handicap following win

CHRIS Waller trained stayer Grand Marshal has enhanced its Melbourne Cup credentials after avoiding a re-handicap following its win in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup.

Grand Marshal will carry 53.5kg for the Melbourne Cup after avoiding a penalty for its win

MOONEE Valley Gold Cup winner Grand Marshal has avoided a Melbourne Cup re-handicap.

Racing Victoria executive general manager (racing) Greg Carpenter said Chris Waller’s stayer would remain on 53.5kg - and 16th in the current order of entry.

“Saturday’s victory was Grand Marshal’s first since he saluted in the 2015 Sydney Cup,” Carpenter said.

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Grand Marshal will carry 53.5kg for the Melbourne Cup after avoiding a penalty for its win

“He’s currently handicapped at 53.5kg, the same weight which he carried when 21st behind Prince of Penzance in last year’s Emirates Melbourne Cup, and will remain on that weight.”

Grand Marshal will aim to become the fourth horse to win the Moonee Valley Cup – Melbourne Cup double next month, following the path set by Kingston Rule (1990), Wodalla (1953) and Blue Spec (1905).

Grand Marshal lumped 58kg in downing stablemate Who Shot Thebarman as several other Cup contenders, including Gallante, struggled in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m).

Grand Marshal drops to 53.5kg for the Cup - a year after he almost fell in an incident triggered by Frankie Dettori on runner-up Max Dynamite.

Dettori was suspended for a month and fined $20,000 because of the severity of the interference.

Originally published as Grand Marshal enhances Cup credentials after avoiding re-handicap following win