Yucatan, who was originally allocated 52kg, now moves to 54.5kg and 24th position in the ballot for the Flemington feature on Tuesday, 6 November, after his emphatic win in Saturday’s Group 2 Ladbrokes Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield (2400m).
The Irish import has also gained an exemption into the $5.15m, Group 1 Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (2400m) following his weekend win, however under the conditions of the Cup, Yucatan cannot be penalised and remains on 52kg for this Saturday’s race at Caulfield.
Carpenter said: “Yucatan’s win on Saturday was incredibly impressive, and a significant step up on his previous form in Europe this year.
“While the official winning margin on Saturday was 1.25 lengths, he was more than six lengths in front at the 100m mark before his jockey James McDonald eased him down.
“Yucatan will meet significantly stronger opposition in the Lexus Melbourne Cup, but the absolute dominance of his Herbert Power win demands a significant penalty and as a consequence he has been given 2.5kg and now has 54.5kg.”
The largest penalty given to previous winners of the Herbert Power has been 2kg to Amralah in 2015 and Big Memory in 2014, neither of whom ran in the Melbourne Cup.
Leica Falcon, who ran fourth to Makybe Diva in 2005, and Great Vintage, who ran fourth to Vintage Crop in 1993, were also issued 2kg penalties after winning the Herbert Power.
Earlier report Monday morning - The Group 1 Melbourne Cup weight penalty for the the Aidan O'Brien trained Yucatan (IRE), the impressive winner of the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes over 2400m at Caulfield on Saturday, will be announced this afternoon by RV Executive General Manager – Racing and Participant Wellbeing, Greg Carpenter.
The five-year-old Galileo entire carried 56kg under James McDonald to go away from the field winning with a 1 1/4L margin over Brimham Rocks (GB) and A Prince Of Arran (GB).
Yucatan will carry 52kg in this Saturday’s $5m, Group 1 Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (2400m), where he is exempt from the ballot and cannot be re-handicapped for his Herbert Power Stakes win.
Yucatan is currently 55th in the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup, with 52kg.
Co-owned by the Williams family and Coolmore and associates ther light raced Yucatan won the Group 3 International Stakes over 2011m under Ryan Moore at the Curragh on July 1st and then ran third with 62kg under Donnacha O'Brien in the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes over 2414m at Leopardstown on August 9th. That race was won by Eziyra (IRE) with 59.5kg.
Yucatan (IRE) and James McDonald winning on Saturday, picture Quentinjlang.com
