Penalty a non event for Begg
THE Grahame Begg-trained Nonconformist has avoided a Caulfield Cup penalty for his win in last Saturday’s Group 3 MRC Foundation Cup.
Nonconformist earned himself a Caulfield Cup ballot exemption but remains on 51.5kg after handicapper Greg Carpenter decided not to penalise the gelding.
Nonconformist is one of 72 runners left in the Caulfield Cup after Tuesday’s second acceptances. Mo’unga was withdrawn but remains in Cox Plate acceptors.
Spanish Mission is the only international hope remaining in the Caulfield Cup with Craig Williams booked to ride the Andrew Balding-trained stayer. Spanish Mission is due to arrive in Melbourne on Saturday.
The Joseph O’Brien-trained State Of Rest is one of two internationals among 40 second acceptors for the Cox Plate.
State Of Rest and Gold Trip, who is bound for the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable, arrive on Saturday.