Brimham Rocks is set to run in the Group One Caulfield Cup with 52kg after escaping a penalty for his win in the Naturalism Stakes.
The Chris Waller-trained Brimham Rocks’ victory in Saturday’s Naturalism at Caulfield carried with it a ballot exemption into the $5 million Caulfield Cup on October 19.
But the stayer still has work to do if he is to force his way into the 2019 Melbourne Cup as he sits 75th in the order of entry with 51.5kg.
Brimham Rocks just missed earning a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption last year when he finished second to A Prince Of Arran in the Hotham Handicap at Flemington.
“Brimham Rocks’ weight in this year’s Caulfield and Melbourne Cups was based on his strong form from his 2018 spring campaign,” Racing Victoria’s Greg Carpenter said.
“He already meets horses like Sikandarabad, Gallic Chieftain and Steel Prince 1kg worse off in the Cups than when they met on Saturday and a penalty wasn’t necessary given those circumstances.”
Jameka claimed the Naturalism Stakes-Caulfield Cup double in 2016.
Japanese-bred stayer Hush Writer has not been given a Melbourne Cup penalty for his win in last Friday’s Newcastle Cup.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Hush Writer is 87th in the Melbourne Cup 2019 ballot on 50kg.
“The Newcastle Cup result was dominated by horses on the limit weight and given the competitive finish and the ratings of the second, third and fourth placegetters it was decided not to issue a penalty to Hush Writer,” Carpenter said.
First acceptances for the 2019 Caulfield Cup close on Tuesday while Melbourne Cup first acceptances are taken a week later.
