French-trained stayer Americain is guaranteed a start in the $6 million Melbourne Cup after receiving a half a kilogram penalty for his Geelong Cup victory.The penalty lifts the entire's weight to 54.5kg, taking him from 24th to 14th in the order of entry for the famous 3200m feature.He now has the same weight as Japanese entrant Tokai Trick and Racing Victoria chief handicapper Greg Carpenter pointed out that neither horse had won a Group One race.He said the only horse not to have won at Group

French-trained stayer Americain is guaranteed a start in the $6 million Melbourne Cup after receiving a half a kilogram penalty for his Geelong Cup victory.

The penalty lifts the entire's weight to 54.5kg, taking him from 24th to 14th in the order of entry for the famous 3200m feature.

He now has the same weight as Japanese entrant Tokai Trick and Racing Victoria chief handicapper Greg Carpenter pointed out that neither horse had won a Group One race.

He said the only horse not to have won at Group One level and have more weight in the Melbourne Cup was this year's Goodwood Cup winner, the William Knight-trained Illustrious Blue, with 55kg.

"Americain has built an imposing record this year and his victory in a very strong renewal of the Geelong Cup extended his winning sequence to four," Carpenter said.

"While he was momentarily held up for a run in the early part of the straight he had enjoyed a good run throughout and won the race impressively with 58kg.

"The penalty ensures that Americain will meet the runner-up Moudre and fellow Geelong Cup runner Once Were Wild (16th in the order of entry) on the same weight terms in the Melbourne Cup should they take their place in the final field.

"At his previous start Americain defeated Manighar in a Group Two race in France over 3000 metres. The margin in that race was a short neck and with the 0.5kg penalty, Americain will now meet Manighar on 1.5kg worse weight terms from that race in the Melbourne Cup."

The Geelong Cup has proven a strong lead-up race to the Melbourne Cup in recent years with Media Puzzle completing the double in 2002.

The 2008 Geelong Cup winner Bauer was narrowly beaten by Viewed in the Melbourne Cup and in 2005 On A Jeune was runner-up to Makybe Diva at Flemington after winning at Geelong.

Bauer was penalised 1kg for his win at Geelong while On A Jeune was not penalised following his victory.

Moudre, trained by Ciaron Maher, passed the first ballot clause for the Melbourne Cup with his second at Geelong and has moved from 58th to 41st in the order of entry.

Meanwhile, French jockey Gerald Mosse's appeal against a careless riding charge and the severity of a 10-meeting suspension for his ride on Hong Kong galloper Mr Medici in the Caulfield Cup has been dismissed.

But Mosse, who was riding on a stay of proceedings pending his appeal before Thursday's Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board hearing when he won Wednesday's Geelong Cup aboard Americain, had the penalty varied.

He can now return next Thursday.