Amelie’s Star unpenalised for Bart Cummings win
RACING Victoria (RV) announced that Amelie’s Star will not be re-handicapped ahead of the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups following its win in the Group Three Bart Cummings at Flemington on Saturday.
The Darren Weir-trained mare will remain on 51kg in both races after its victory over outsiders Granddukeoftuscany, which is not entered for the Cups, and stablemate Kellstorm.
Amelie’s Star is guaranteed a start in the Melbourne Cup having secured a ballot exemption following the win in The Bart Cummings, but the horse remains at number 35 in the Caulfield Cup order of entry ahead of second acceptances for the 21 October feature on Tuesday.
Flem R7: Amelie's Star needed to qualify & came 2 play. Almandin & Harlem didnt off monster wins. Almandin absolutely on track Melbourne Cup
— ralph horowitz (@rtralphy) October 8, 2017
RV General Manager Greg Carpenter said Amelie’s Star – who will carry the same weight in the Melbourne Cup as Almandin did last year – was strong at the end of a truly-run 2500m Bart Cummings in beating Granddukeoftuscany (Rated 74) and Kellstorm (86).
“Amelie’s Star’s Melbourne Cup weight will be 51kg, the same weight Almandin was given after he won the Bart Cummings in 2016 before going on to win the Melbourne Cup,” Carpenter said.
“Amelie’s Star will meet Almandin on the same weight terms in the Melbourne Cup as she did on Saturday (5.5kg less) and is 1.5kg worse off against Harlem.”
This is the third year that The Bart Cummings has offered the winner a guaranteed start in the Melbourne Cup after Lets Make Adeal (2015) and Almandin (2016) both on the Cup’s limit weight of 50kg prior to their victory.
Let’s Make Adeal was penalised 0.5kg to 50.5kg but was unable to take its place in the Cup due to injury. Almandin was penalised 1kg rising to 51kg for the Cup before ultimately carrying 52kg when weights were raised 1kg at acceptance time.
Major players connected to the Darren Weir-trained runner believe the horse will be doing a lot more than simply making up the numbers.
The jockey who steered the mare to victory on Saturday Damian Lane believes Amelie’s Star will be a bigger player in the upcoming group ones races of the Melbourne spring.
“She worked to the line,” Lane said.
“I thought there might have been a change of rider after the last two efforts on her, but I am lucky enough to have had another go and she was too good today.”
Amelie's Star, by speed sire Testa Rossa, now in the Melbourne Cup … but dam is by Zabeel. Zabeel blood, can't beat it. Overrides speed.
— The Thoroughbred (@thethoroughbred) October 7, 2017
Lane will not be able to get down to the 51kg weight Amelie’s Star has been allotted in the Melbourne Cup, where the mare is the $11 second faourite at Ladbrokes for the race that stops a nation.
Lane said the horse has recovered well from the Bart Cummings win and has the ability to give the Melbourne Cup a big shake.
“She’s a quality mare. If it all goes well and they get her to the Melbourne Cup she will run well no doubt.
“She’s pulled up great today, she sprints well off a staying tempo.”