The Neil Dyer-trained Royal Request is facing a Darwin Cup weight penalty as he aims to become the fifth horse to complete the Metric Mile-Darwin Cup double since 2005.
Royal Request lumped 59kg to a three-quarter length victory in last Saturday's $50,000 Metric Mile at Fannie Bay but could be tasked with 60kg for the $200,000 Darwin Cup in seven days' time.
"There's no doubt it was a good win, but it just means that he'll probably cop a penalty for the Cup," Dyer told NT News.
"I'm resigned to the fact that he may get a bit more weight for the Cup, but he proved once again how much he loves it here at Fannie Bay."
Former Darwin Cup winner Pretty Blonde finished fourth in traditional Darwin Cup lead-up race and has been handicapped on 57kg for the first Monday of August.
"Pretty Blonde has earned more prizemoney than Royal Request, yet my horse will more than likely be the top weight in the Cup," Dyer said.
"However, I do realise that Pretty Blonde is a mare and therefore won't have to carry as much weight.
"That's the way it is and I have no complaints."
Dyer has previously won the Northern Territory's signature race in 2011 and 2012 with Hawks Bay, a horse he says bears similarities to Royal Request.
Dyer is hoping it will be a matter of fourth time lucky for Royal Request as the gelding has contested the last three Darwin Cups for a 10th, second, and fourth.
Bookmakers are expected to install the son of Bel Esprit as favourite when the final field is declared on Thursday.
