Gai slams big-weight "paranoia"

Trainer Gai Waterhouse says there needs to be more action at the top end of the weight scale to ensure genuine handicaps. Source: Richard Dobson / News Limited

SEVEN-TIME Doncaster-winning trainer Gai Waterhouse believes there is a "paranoia'' that has crept into local racing when it comes to slugging horses with big weights in big handicaps.

The Australian Turf Club announced on Tuesday that this year's $3 million Doncaster Mile would feature a new minimum of 50kg.

But Waterhouse, who will roll out the first of her Doncaster hopes at Rosehill on Saturday, said there needed to be more action at the top end of the weight scale to ensure genuine handicaps.

Waterhouse's comments came on the same day her bookmaker husband Robbie revealed he wanted to see the spread of weights in the Doncaster stretched to a whopping 12kg.

Robbie added Gai's horse Fiorente would "worry the tripe out of his rivals'' in a fast-run Doncaster and if he was kept fresh.

The TAB also released a market on what weight the Doncaster winner would carry, with the option of 55.5kg paying $2.10.

Gai Waterhouse told The Daily Telegraph: "Do they not know what a handicap means?

"Horses with the least experience get the lowest weight, and the best horses get the highest.

"Everyone gets paranoid when a horse gets 60-plus kilos. But they're entitled to it. Handicaps are handicaps. They're meant to push the best horses into weight-for-age races.

"It's a really positive move getting such a lovely broad spectrum, but they can do it even better.''

Asked if she'd be happy with one of her stars carrying more than 60kg in the time-honoured Doncaster, Waterhouse said: "Of course I would. What do you think they carry every morning? 80? 90kg? 100kg? They've got a heavy saddle, a heavy jockey, they carry it every day.''

Waterhouse nominated Ecuador, who resumes in the February Handicap (1400m) this weekend, Spurtonic and Rain Drum, who both trial on Friday, as well as Our Desert Warrior as the early contenders to hopefully win her an eighth Doncaster.

Spurtonic (rails) wins the Group 3 David Jones Cup at Caulfield. Picture: Jay Town Source: News Limited

Robbie Waterhouse said compressed weights in handicaps had made them too inviting for good horses, which had helped contribute to the demise of weight-for-age races in recent years.

"All handicaps in England have what works out to be a 12kg spread, so I'd love to see that here,'' Waterhouse said.

"I understand the jockeys can't ride too light, but why not make the spread 48kg to 60kg, or 50kg to 62kg?

Racing NSW chief handicapper Damien Hay said he wouldn't be afraid to lump horses with huge weights if their form warranted it, but was also mindful not to scare away the horses punters wanted to see.

"We're caught between a rock and a hard place,'' Hay said.

"Handicappers would love to have a greater spread in the weights, but we also want to see the good horses running in the big races.''

Only two horses in the past 15 years have carried more than 56kg to Doncaster victory. The last horse to lump more than 60kg was Gunsynd back in 1972.

The TAB are offering $2.10 about the winner carrying more than 55.5kg, $2.70 for 53.5kg to 55.5kg, and $3.60 for 53kg or less.

Meanwhile, Perth apprentice Chris Parnham, 17, has began a three-month loan with Waterhouse, and will ride a few horses at tomorrow's Randwick trials.

Chris Parnham, who is joining the Gai Waterhouse stable, has been riding in exceptional form in Western Australia. Source: News Limited

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