CAULFIELD Cup-winning mare Jameka has been re-handicapped to 53.5kg for the $6.2 million Emirates Melbourne Cup after Racing Victoria chief handicapper Greg Carpenter gave her a 1.5kg penalty for Saturday’s victory.
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Jameka will now attempt to become just the 12th horse to secure the Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double.
She will create a weight-carrying record for a four-year-old mare if she is successful. The current weight-carrying record by a four-year-old mare was set by Bart Cummings’ first Melbourne Cup winner, Light Fingers, who won the Cup in 1965 with 52.5kg.
Warrnambool businessman Colin McKenna, who is the senior part-owner of Jameka, said the 1.5kg penalty was a satisfying result.
“Jameka had to be re-handicapped after her Caulfield Cup win,” he said.
“I think the 1.5kg is fair, but in saying that it will be a massive effort if she can win carrying the 53.5kg.”
Carpenter said there was a chance the Melbourne Cup weights could be raised at final declaration time to ensure that the topweight carries a minimum of 57kg.
“As it stands, Preferment is the highest-weighted horse in the Cup with 56.5kg, followed by star UK stayer Big Orange on 56kg, which will require all weights to be raised by at least 0.5kg – if this eventuates Jameka will have to carry at least 54kg,” he said.
Second declarations for the 2016 Melbourne Cup will be taken at 10am (AEDT) on Monday, October 24.
