Tanby has received a one-kilogram Melbourne Cup penalty for his win in Wednesday’s Listed Bendigo Cup, but it mightn’t be enough to put him into Tuesday’s 24-horse field.
Racing Victoria’s (RV) chief handicapper Greg Carpenter on Thursday announced the penalty which sees the Robert Hickmott-trained and Lloyd Williams-owned Tanby rise to 51kg and move to 32nd in the Melbourne Cup order of entry.
“Tanby came away for an impressive win over his highly-credentialled stablemate At First Sight to record his first black-type win in the Bendigo Cup and the penalty acknowledges his emerging form since the weights were originally released,” Carpenter said.
“Prior to his win in the Bendigo Cup, Tanby had finished second to Shewan in the Group Two Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield and second to French visitor Dunaden in the Group Three Geelong Cup which shows he’s a progressive in-form stayer.”
Despite the penalty, Tanby will need to rely on the withdrawal of horses higher in the order of entry prior to the final acceptance deadline at 5pm (AEDT) on Saturday to secure his place in the field.
“The horse ranked 31st at the same time last year ultimately secured the last place in the Cup field when final acceptances were taken so it is not inconceivable for Tanby to gain a start, but the horse’s fate is in the hands of others,” Carpenter said.
