JAPANESE stayer Admire Rakti is a confirmed starter for the Melbourne Cup. Owner Riichi Kondo, through his interpreter, told Racing Victoria’s international consultant Leigh Jordon that Admire Rakti would progress to Melbourne Cup.

Earlier, Kondo had threatened to take Admire Rakti back home for next month’s Japan Cup if he received a re-handicap for winning the Caulfield Cup.

RV chief handicapper Greg Carpenter today penalised Admire Rakti 0.5kg for his seemingly effortless Caulfield Cup win.

Admire Rakti will carry 58.5 in the $6.2 million Cup.

Jordon said Kondo was matter-of-fact about the situation when contacted in Sydney late this afternoon.

He said Kondo told him “I have made a decision - we’re going forward. The horse is staying for the Cup.

“Mr Kondo said he’s assessed everything, where that put the horse in historic terms and canvassed the views of the trainer.

“He said Tomoyuki Umeda (the trainer) is keen to run and so are the rest of the staff.”

Admire Rakti would match the feat of 1975 Melbourne Cup winner Think Big, the last horse to carry 58.5kg to win a Melbourne Cup. (Racing Network)