Racing Victoria’s Chief Handicapper Greg Carpenter announced that Incentivise would carry 57kg in the Lexus Melbourne Cup, the equivalent of world-class European stayer Spanish Mission in the same race.
Incentivise won a golden ticket into the Lexus Melbourne Cup by winning the Caulfield Cup for trainer Peter Moody and jockey Brett Prebble on Saturday.
Incentivise had not won a race until April this year when he saluted in a humble maiden at the Sunshine Coast Racecourse. Since then he has won nine races in a row including two Group 1 races at Flemington. The Lexus Melbourne Cup would be his tenth win in a row.
Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Executive General Manager Racing Leigh Jordon said the penalty still afforded Incentivise a winning chance in the world’s richest two mile race.
“Incentivise has been penalised in accordance with the strength of his win in the Caulfield Cup which was utterly dominant,” Mr Jordon said.
“It was one of the most impressive wins we have seen in a Caulfield Cup in some time and sets up a thrilling clash in the Lexus Melbourne Cup with some of the world’s best stayers including Spanish Mission and Twilight Payment.
“Incentivise has a huge fan base and all eyes will be on this Australian star as he takes on the world in 15 days’ time where he could become just the 12th horse to do the Caulfield and Lexus Melbourne Cup double.”
The 2021 Melbourne Cup Carnival begins with Penfolds Victoria Derby Day on Saturday 30 October, followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 2 November, Kennedy Oaks Day on Thursday 4 November and Mackinnon Stakes Day on Saturday 6 November.
Revel in spirit of Cup Week with the 2021 Melbourne Cup Carnival broadcast live and free on Network 10 and streamed on 10 Play.
Image: Incentivise with trainer Peter Moody (Image: Racing Photos).
