In a significant development for the Melbourne Cup 2026, the Bjorn Baker-trained stayer So You Are has secured a start in the iconic race following a one-kilogram penalty for his victory in the Bendigo Cup.
This penalty elevates So You Are to 24th position in the official Order of Entry for the Cup, a crucial boost that came after the withdrawal of Saint George on Thursday morning. Without Saint George’s scratch, So You Are would have been ranked 25th.
The handicapping adjustments for the Bendigo Cup have seen Sea King (2024) and Sayedaty Sadaty (2025) each receive a 0.5kg penalty for their respective wins. David Hegan, Racing Victoria’s head of handicapping, pointed out that the last time a 1kg re-handicap was applied was in 2011 to Tanby.
This latest penalty for So You Are is the third received since the handicaps were initially released last month, bringing his total weight increase to 2kg. He is now scheduled to carry 54kg in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday.
“Yesterday’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 explained.
While So You Are’s connections have reason to celebrate their stayer’s inclusion, the connections of Ciaron Maher’s Caulfield Cup runner-up, Saint George, have received disappointing news.
Saint George has been ruled out of the Melbourne Cup following a comprehensive review of CT and PET scans conducted this week. An independent panel of diagnostic imaging specialists reviewed the CT scans, identifying a heightened risk of injury for the horse. Subsequently, the Maher stable opted for a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan on Wednesday.
The panel’s final assessment after reviewing all scans confirmed its view that Saint George was at an elevated risk of injury. As a result, Saint George has been withdrawn from the Melbourne Cup and the remainder of the Spring Racing Carnival.
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