Naturalism Stakes winner Mr O’Ceirin has been penalised 0.5 kg for both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup following his all the way victory at Caulfield on Saturday.
Mr O'Ceirin receives 0.5kg Cups penalty for winning the Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
The Ciaron Maher trained six year old put up a tough performance to lead from start to finish in the Group 3 $150,000 D’Urban Naturalism Stakes (2000m), earning himself a spot in the Group 1 $2.65m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 19.
The 0.5kg takes Mr O’Ceirin’s Caulfield Cup weight to 53kg, placing him third in the order of entry with last Saturday’s win exempting him from the ballot.
But the promising stayer with 52.5kg is still well down in the order of entry at number forty-five for the Group 1 $6.2m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 5.
Maher is relieved that Mr O’Ceirin has made it into the Caulfield Cup field this year after missing out last year and will now head to the Group 1 $400,000 Cathay Pacific Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield in three weeks.
“He was stiff in this race last year so it is good to get him in and he deserves his chance,” Maher said.
“He might have one more run, maybe the Caulfield Stakes.”
Racing Victoria’s Executive General Manager – Racing, Greg Carpenter said that Mr O’Ceirin’s recent form, especially the way he was able win on Saturday, has impressed him.
“Mr O’Ceirin is a progressive stayer having won the Grafton Cup (LR) in July and won a strong renewal of the Naturalism (G3) on Saturday,” Carpenter said.
“In determining the size of the penalty, the fact the Naturalism was slowly run in the early and middle stages and Mr O’Ceirin was assisted by a tactical front running ride mitigated against a penalty of any more than 0.5kg.”
Mr O’Ceirin’s win wasn’t without controversy with Glen Boss standing high in the irons celebrating the victory before the winning the post and consequently receiving a $2000 fine for his actions.
Boss loves to celebrate a big race win and said that he won’t be deterred even after the stewards threatened him with a suspension if he keeps infringing the rule.
“I can’t guarantee I won’t go up again. We’re getting to the pointy end of the greatest time of the year. We work our arses off for this time of year, and of course you get excited,” Boss told The Daily Telegraph.
Mr O’Ceirin is marked a $26 chance in the Caulfield Cup alongside of Naturalism runner-up Kesampour and Chris Waller’s Group 1 winner Foreteller.
Waller’s pair of Hawkspur at $7 and Royal Descent at $7.50 head the market order with Mark Kavanagh’s Super Cool also prominent at $9.
While in Melbourne Cup betting Mr O’Ceirin is currently at $31 with Fiorente ($7) and Puissance De Lune ($7.50) at the top of the market order.
