Dolphin Jo close to Cup start

Dolphin Jo is a step closer to earning his third successive start in the Melbourne Cup after being penalised 0.5kg following his win in Saturday's Winning Edge Presentation Stakes at Caulfield.

Racing Victoria's chief handicapper Greg Carpenter announced the penalty on Monday, which lifts the six-year-old galloper - which is trained in country Victoria by Terry O'Sullivan, from 33rd to 30th in order of entry for Australia's biggest race.

The victory also guaranteed a start for Dolphin Jo in this Saturday's Caulfield Cup.

Dolphin Jo will now carry 52kg in the Melbourne Cup and is on the verge of being guaranteed a start in the 24 horse field.

In 2006 Dolphin Jo ran 15th behind Japanese winner Delta Blues while last year he ran a gallant fifth behind Efficient with 51.5kg

Carpenter said the latest weight penalty put Dolphin Jo - which carried 56kg to victory on Saturday, on the verge of another Melbourne Cup start.

"Dolphin Jo ran fifth in the race last year with 51.5kg and the penalty acknowledges his fighting win in the Winning Edge and places him in a strong position to make the Cup field again in 2008," Carpenter said.

Rogan Josh in 1999 was the last horse to complete the Winning Edge-Melbourne Cup double while Master O'Reilly won the race last year before going on to win the Caulfield Cup.