Greg Carpenter, Racing Victoria’s Executive General Manager – Racing, and Chief Handicapper, has announced that Miami Bound will not receive a weight penalty for the 2020 Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Miami Bound was eligible to receive a penalty after her strong win in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2600m) last weekend, finding form just before the Flemington Carnival.
It's Jamie Kah again! Last year's Oaks winner Miami Bound wins the Moonee Valley Gold Cup in stylish fashion. 👌 pic.twitter.com/DLRXuM7gkl
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 24, 2020
Miami Bound has struggled with form since winning the 2019 VRC Oaks (2500m), but is assured of a start in the 2020 Melbourne Cup, where she sits 22nd in the order of entry.
On the decision, Carpenter said the mare already faced a significant challenge at the current 51kg weight.
“Miami Bound was a strong winner of the Moonee Valley Gold Cup, however she was well weighted under the set weights and penalties conditions of the Group 2 race and she will face superior opposition at Flemington on Cup Day.
“At 5.5kg under weight-for-age benchmark in the Melbourne Cup, modern history says she already faces a significant challenge to win the race with 51kg.
“The last VRC Oaks winner to win the Melbourne Cup as a four-year-old was Light Fingers way back in 1965, whilst Kingston Rule was the last horse to the complete the Moonee Valley-Melbourne Cup double 30 years ago in 1990.”
Miami Bound is currently a $34 chance for the 2020 Melbourne Cup.
