Racing Victoria announces Melbourne Cup weight penalty for Bart Cummings winner Just Fine

Just Fine’s gutsy win earned him a Melbourne Cup weight penalty, while Racing Victoria also announced penalties for last Saturday’s Epsom Handicap and Metropolitan winners.

Bart Cummings winner Just Fine received a small Melbourne Cup weight penalty to accompany his ballot exemption for the great race after his success last Saturday.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Just Fine held on to secure a Melbourne Cup start for his horde of owners in the MiRacehorse syndication group.

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Racing Victoria chief handicapper David Hegan announced a half-kilogram penalty for the imported stayer, taking his Melbourne Cup weight to 53kg.

Hegan said he based his decision on the weight differences between Just Fine and the Bart Cummings runner-up Point King in last Saturday’s race and the Melbourne Cup.

Just Fine received a half-kilogram weight penalty for the Melbourne Cup after his win in the Bart Cummings at Flemington. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

“Just Fine’s win was only a narrow one over The Archer winner Point King, so I was very mindful of the relativity to that horse when considering his revised weight for the Cups,” Hegan said.

“Just Fine carried 1.5kg more than Point King in The Bart Cummings and was already weighted with 2kg more than him in the Melbourne Cup.

“With the 0.5kg penalty he’ll now carry 2.5kg more than Point King in the Melbourne Cup which is effectively a 1kg difference from Saturday.”

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Just Fine also moved to 20th in the Caulfield Cup order of entry with his win.

Meanwhile, Epsom Handicap winner Ceolwulf received a 1.5kg for the Caulfield Cup after his outstanding performance at Randwick.

Epsom Handicap winner Ceolwulf was one of three horses that received Caulfield Cup weight penalties on Monday. Picture: Getty Images.

“This penalty now brings him equal with fellow four-year-old Warmonger on 53.5kg,” Hegan said.

“Whilst it’s unclear whether he’ll take his place in the field, I’m certain he can be highly competitive if he does.”

Metropolitan Handicap winner Land Legend moved into the top 24 Melbourne Cup contenders with his success.

Hegan also penalised Land Legend 1kg for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, leaving with 53kg in both races.

Originally published as Racing Victoria announces Melbourne Cup weight penalty for Bart Cummings winner Just Fine