Sunday win had no effect on Order Of St George Melbourne Cup weight

Darryl Sherer - Wednesday September 13

Sunday's Irish St Leger win did not impact upon Order Of St George's weight in the 2017 Melbourne Cup.

Greg Carpenter with the 2017 Melbourne Cup trophy. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Raving Victoria Handicapper Greg Carpenter said the nine length win by Order Of St George over Torcedor did not change his last thought on the weight but confirmed to him 58kg was correct.

"I certainly wasn't locked in to 58kg but when I looked at the rating of Torcedor and Mount Moriah who ran third - they were rated 110 and 106 respectively so if they have run to their very best the rating is correct.

"It's not a case of looking at the margin and saying he (Order Of St George) has to be higher.

"To a point, the differential between Order Of St George and Torcedor in the Irish St Leger was virtually the same as in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot."

Over the past four decades, 35 horses have carried 58kg or more in a Melbourne Cup with only Makybe Diva winning with 58kg in 2005.

Carpenter also drew comparison with previous European Group I winners running in the Melbourne Cup.

"We've seen a champion like Yeats come to the Melbourne Cup and run bravely and not win, a multiple Irish St Leger winner like Vinnie Roe who was arguably unlucky to come up against Makybe Diva," Carpenter said.

"It is a challenge to win the Melbourne Cup with 58kg and we know the only horse that's done it is Makybe Diva.

"With a horse like Order Of St George, he's won three Group Is - if you were talking about an Arc winner or a horse that's won multiple Group I races as Yeats did then 58kg is not the ceiling but you have to be realistic.

"It is the third year he (Order Of St George) has been entered and I would be bitterly disappointed if connections did not accept the challenge of competing in the world's best 3200m race at Flemington."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.