Sacred Star has 2kg more than he won last year's Telegraph with. But that's only one factor in the equation.
The more complicated conclusion is he's probably not much worse off with 59kg than he was with 57kg 12 months ago.
Sacred Star made the country's best sprinters look ordinary a year back, winning by four lengths and running the 1200m in a remarkable 1.7.01. With earnings of $681,614 from just 26 starts Sacred Star is well placed under the set weights and penalties. "In a straight handicap he'd have been asked to carry a lot more so you can't argue he's harshly treated," admits trainer Tony Pike.
Sacred Star has had just four races since winning the 2015 version of the Telegraph. "He had a long spell after he came back from Queensland [after two starts]." The 6-year-old finished just two lengths off winner Ryan Mark in fourth place in Ellerslie's Railway on an unsuitable wet track.
"I think he's going as well as he was this time last year," says Pike. "So, from his good gate all he needs is a good track and a clear run." Sacred Star opened the clear $3.60 TAB favourite for the feature.