VRC Announces Changes to the Melbourne Cup

The Victoria Racing Club has announced changes to the conditions for the Emirates Melbourne Cup:

Minimum Weights Formerly 48.0kg for a 4YO and 49.5kg for an older horse, these have been fixed at 50.0kg across the board, to comply with a change to the Australian Rules of Racing, relating to minimum handicap weights, which took effect on 1 January 2007. Accordingly, the minimum weight for a 3YO has increased from 46kg to 49kg.

AAMI Victoria Derby WinnerThe late entry clause for the AAMI Victoria Derby winner into the Emirates Melbourne Cup, in force since 1989, has been removed.

This decision has been taken in the interests of fairness - the 2007 Emirates Melbourne Cup, as a major international race, will now only be available to horses nominated by 1 August 2007, (with such nomination) followed by a first, second, third and final acceptance fee payment by connections.

Three-years-old horses can be still be nominated for the 2007 Emirates Melbourne Cup by 1 August 2007, and the winner of the 2007 AAMI Victoria Derby, if a 3rd acceptor for the Cup, will remain exempt from any ballot on the race.

However, such horse will now be liable to a re-handicap, if any, at the Handicapper's discretion.
Ballot Free RacesThe 2007 Caulfield Cup (along with the 2007 San Juan Capistrano (USA)) has, for the first time, been added to the list of ballot free races (winner only) into the 2007 Emirates Melbourne Cup.

Saab Quality Winner The winner of the 2007 Saab Quality will remain exempt from any ballot on the 2007 Emirates Melbourne Cup.

However, such horse will now be liable to a re-handicap, if any, at the Handicapper's discretion.
This decision means that every quality race of 2300 metres or further, regardless of where it is run or its weight conditions, will attract a potential Emirates Melbourne Cup weight penalty to the winner, at the discretion of the Handicapper.

VRC chief executive Mr. Monteith said: "The changes to the conditions for the 2007 Emirates Melbourne Cup are part of the evolution of this great race as the staying championship of the world, and they reflect the determination of the VRC Board to ensure that the race conditions continue to be both fair and relevant, year by year.

Overall, the Emirates Melbourne Cup conditions are designed to attract the best possible field from Australia and overseas, and to provide fair opportunity for each horse to secure a start, according to its race performance history, and, under handicap conditions, to win or obtain the best possible placing in the Race That Stops a Nation".