Alcopop is set to make the Melbourne Cup line-up.(credit:
nbraier)
Bart Cummings will be chasing another Melbourne Cup after it became clear that his Allez Wonder would make the field, along with South Australian galloper Alcopop.
Allez Wonder jumped thirty two places from 29th up to 17th after Racing Victoria chief handicapper Greg Carpenter penalised her ½ a KG to 50.5KG after her impressive victory in Saturday’s Group 1 Toorak Handicap.
Meanwhile, Alcopop jumped a similar amount of places, 63rd to 26th, after his sensational victory in the Herbert Power Stakes, earning him a 1.5kg penalty from Carpenter.
The Cup field will only have 24 go to post and there are still declaration stages remaining, the next ones declared for October 26th and October 31st.
Alcopop has won seven of his ten starts and connections have in recent weeks turned down offers which value Alcopop at more than $1 million.
"Alcopop has demonstrated enormous progression since the weights were originally released and his win in a truly run staying contest on Saturday was totally dominant," Carpenter explained.
"The last horse to win the Herbert Power Stakes and go on to win the Melbourne Cup was the Cummings-trained Rogan Josh who carried 50kg to victory in 1999.
Carpenter was under no illusions as to the strength of this year’s Toorak Handicap when he penalised Allez Wonder and commented: “Allez Wonder beat one of the most competitive Toorak fields in recent years and while in a race of 1,600 metres she is now a Group One winner who was placed in the VRC Oaks over 2,500 in her three-year-old season," Carpenter said.
Final declarations for this weekend’s Caulfield Cup (2,400m) close on Tuesday.
Caufield Cup: Head of the market (Paddy Power)
Speed Gifted 9/2
Predatory Pricer 5/1
Cima De Triomphe 8/1
Vigor 8/1