The Verminator Cops 2kg Melbourne Cup Penalty

The Verminator

The Verminator has received a 2kg penalty for the Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup after winning The Metropolitan

After his devastating win in The Metropolitan at Randwick on the weekend The Verminator has copped a 2kg penalty for both the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup.

It is consistent with the penalty given to the past two winners Metropolitan winners Speed Gifted and Herculian Prince.

Greg Carpenter, chief handicapper for Racing Victoria, announced the penalty which will see The Verminator carry 52kg in both events should he be sent that way.

“The Verminator was a dominant winner as were Speed Gifted and Herculian Prince and he has also won the Wyong Cup since the release of Caulfield Cup weights on August 30,” Carpenter said.

Group 3 JRA Cup winner Dream Pedlar and Listed Ansett Classic winner I’m Jake did not receive any weight penalties as it was determined the quality of opposition they beat didn’t warrant an increase.

The same treatment was given to Bart Cummings winner Mourayan which broke through for his first victory from his last 21 attempts and earned his first ever Australian win.

“Mourayan already has 53.5kg in both Cups, based around his second placings at Group One level in the 2010 Metropolitan Handicap and 2011 BMW, run at weight-for-age, and this represents the same weight he ran with when 13th in last years Caulfield Cup,” Carpenter said.

This is also consistent with the treatment of Harris Tweed after his Bart Cummings victory in 2010.

On that note, Harris Tweed won’t be back to contest the Cup’s circuit in 2011 after connections pulled the pin on his Australian trip following his two average performances this prep.

Trainer Murray Baker won’t be without a runner though, 2011 Underwood Stakes champion Lion Tamer remains on track for both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.

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