Penalty pushes Jameka to 53.5kg for Melbourne Cup as she chases rare Cups double
POLL: NICK Hall would have liked half a kilo less, but says Jameka’s 1.5kg penalty for winning the Caulfield Cup won’t hinder the mare from completing the Melbourne Cup double.
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JOCKEY Nick Hall would have liked half a kilogram less, but says Jameka’s 1.5kg penalty for winning the Caulfield Cup won’t stop the mare from completing the Melbourne Cup double.
Jameka, who will now carry 53.5kg, will set a weight carrying record for a four-year-old mare and emulate Ethereal, who was the last mare to complete the Melbourne Cup double in 2001.
CUPS DOUBLE BID: WEIGHT AND SEE FOR JAMEKA
Bart Cummings’ first Cup winner, Light Fingers in 1965, carried the most weight by a four-year-old mare — 52.5kg.
Chief handicapper Greg Carpenter said Jameka faced at least another half a kilo penalty if weights, as expected, are raised.
He said the Ciaron Maher- trained mare could not escape a penalty for the 3200m race.
“A penalty of 1.5kg represents around three lengths over 3200m, which is the same margin she defeated Godolphin stayer Scottish by on Saturday (in the Caulfield Cup),” Carpenter said.
The 1.5kg penalty is the same handed to Caulfield Cup winners Fawkner (2013, sixth in Melbourne Cup), Descarado (2010, failed to finish Melbourne Cup), Master O’Reilly (2007, eighth Melbourne Cup) and Sky Heights (1999, 17th Melbourne Cup).
Four-year-old mare Ethereal earned a 2kg penalty for her victory in the 2001 Caulfield Cup and carried 52kg to victory in the Melbourne Cup.
Carpenter said there was a chance the Cup weights could be raised at final declaration time to ensure the topweight carries a minimum of 57kg.
“As it stands, Preferment is the highest weighted horse in the Cup with 56.5kg, followed by star UK stayer Big Orange on 56kg, which will require all weights to be raised by at least 0.5kg. If this eventuates Jameka will have to carry at least 54kg,” he said.
“While she was clearly the dominant stayer at Caulfield on Saturday, Jameka will face a new challenge in the Melbourne Cup when she lines up against a second wave of international rivals including Big Orange, Irish St Leger winner Wicklow Brave, Ebor Handicap winner Heartbreak City and classy Japanese stayer Curren Mirotic.
“There is also the prospect of Hartnell running in the Melbourne Cup off a mark of 55kg, after he takes on super mare Winx in the Cox Plate.”
Hall had to shed almost 5kg last week to ride Jameka at 52.5kg.
“I thought she would get 1.5kg but I was hoping she’d only get 1kg,” he said.
“It is definitely winnable at that weight.”
Hall said Jameka wouldn’t have trouble carrying the weight and the 3200m wouldn’t pose any problems.
“I don’t think Ciaron had got to the bottom of her for the Caulfield Cup and he is a campaign trainer who loves to leave that little bit in her because he knows she has to come through and doesn’t train her too hard.
“She has got great aerobic capacity and has got two miles written all over her.”
daryl.timms@news.com.au
Originally published as Penalty pushes Jameka to 53.5kg for Melbourne Cup as she chases rare Cups double
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