Imported stayer Caravan Rolls On has been given a 1.5kg penalty for the Melbourne Cup following his Geelong Cup win.

However, the Danny O'Brien-trained horse is not guaranteed a start in the $6 million race.

His penalty takes his Melbourne Cup weight to 52.5kg but he still remains outside the field at 36th in the order of entry.

The Melbourne Cup is restricted to 24 runners.

"He has been penalised 1.5kg to 52.5kg for the win, however, he remains 7kg below the benchmark and thus he will need to secure a ballot exemption via the Lexus Stakes, or rely upon a heavy attrition rate among final acceptances to secure a Melbourne Cup start," Racing Victoria's chief handicapper Greg Carpenter said.

The Lexus Stakes (2500m) is at Flemington on November 1.

Trainer Patrick Payne has told stewards that Zanbagh pulled up lame and had a bruised heel after her unplaced run in the Geelong Cup.

The mare is 20th in the Melbourne Cup ballot but Payne told stewards Zanbagh's immediate future was uncertain.

Meanwhile, New Zealand stayer Sangster has been retired and withdrawn from the Melbourne Cup entries.