So You Are into Melbourne Cup 24 after weight penalty

So You Are has moved from 28th to 24th in the $10.2 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) order of entry after receiving a 1kg penalty for winning Wednesday’s Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m).

The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding has now received three reassessments since weights were released, having previously been penalised 0.5kg for wins in the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) on September 26 and the ATC St Leger Stakes (2600m) on October 17, taking his cumulative penalty to 2kg and his Melbourne Cup weight to 54kg.

The 1kg penalty matches that given to 2011 Bendigo Cup winner Tanby, who rose to 32nd in the order of entry but ultimately missed a start, while the past two winners, Sea King (2024) and Sayedaty Sadaty (2025), received 0.5kg reassessments, with no Bendigo Cup winner having received a penalty greater than 1kg for the Melbourne Cup.

Racing Victoria Head of Handicapping David Hegan announced the penalty following the withdrawal of Ciaron Maher-trained Saint George from the Melbourne Cup on veterinary advice.

“(Wednesday’s) win, based on weights and the quality of opposition, was the best of So You Are’s recent victories, carrying 58.5kg and proving too strong for all rivals,” Hegan said.

“He is a difficult horse to assess, having been extremely well placed recently while not winning by extensive margins.

“However, based on his overall profile and handicap performance ratings that are benchmarked internationally, a 1kg penalty to 54kg is the appropriate re-assessment against his potential competitors on Tuesday when considering the raised weight scale in this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup.”

Final acceptances for the Lexus Melbourne Cup close at 4.30pm on Saturday, October 31.