Racing: Precedence looking for Lexus Stakes win to qualify

Photo / Richard Robinson

MELBOURNE - The Bart Cummings-trained Precedence is still not assured of a Melbourne Cup start, despite being penalised for winning the Moonee Valley Cup on Saturday.

Racing Victoria handicapper Greg Carpenter announced a 1.5kg penalty for Precedence which has moved him from 39th to 29th in order of entry for the 24-horse Melbourne Cup field.

Precedence will now carry 53.5kg if he gets a run in the 150th edition of the famous race after being given 50.5kg in original handicaps.

Duncan Ramage, racing manager for part-owner Dato Tan Chin Nam, said Precedence's Melbourne Cup fate could hinge on a start in the Lexus Stakes next week.

Ridden by Blake Shinn, the heavily favourite Precedence ($2.05) was perfectly placed in fifth spot before kicking clear on the home turn and holding out imported stayer Above Average ($10) by three-quarters of a length with former New Zealander and topweight Capecover ($15) 2 lengths away third.

Trainer Lee Freedman was disappointed Above Average didn't win as he's 40th in the order of entry into the Cup and won't get a run.

But he was delighted with the stayer's performance in blinkers for the first time.

Third placegetter Capecover, now 38th in the Cup order of entry, pleased trainer Patrick Payne and his jockey Steve Arnold.

"He ran really well and he hit the line strongly," Arnold said.

Earlier on the card, in what was little more than an exhibition gallop, unbeaten mare Black Caviar picked up a group two cheque and her seventh straight win in the Schweppes Stakes (1200m).

The absence of new superstar Hay List did nothing to take the gloss off the win for Moody who said he had no idea just how much more Black Caviar could improve.

"The only guide I've got is General Nediym, he's the only great sprinter I've worked with," Moody said.

"And she's better than him."

General Nediym won 13 races in his 21-start career including the 1998 Newmarket Handicap when Moody was foreman for his then trainer Bill Mitchell.

Jockey Luke Nolen was content to let Black Caviar ($1.40 fav) sit off the leader True Persuasion ($31) until the home turn loomed.

He gave Black Caviar a bit more rein and she exploded clear leaving group one winners Hot Danish and Melito in her wake.

A gallant Hot Danish ($6) gave chase inside the final 200 metres but could only close the gap to 5 lengths with True Persuasion third.

- AAP