Leading syndicator Grant Morgan has joined the chorus of critics questioning whether the Queensland handicapping system is driving top horses to race interstate.
Morgan said he was bemused how promising galloper Harada Bay got 2kg over the minimum for his open company debut in the Stanley River Thoroughbreds Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The benchmark rating system and the need for a minimum topweight has been widely criticised by Queensland trainers and owners, a problem compounded by the difference in rating systems between Queensland and NSW.
There have again been complaints about the weights for Harada Bay's race with Morgan leading the way.
Morgan is Queensland's biggest syndicator and his Ontrack Thoroughbreds have 30 horses across the three eastern states.
Harada Bay is considered one of the most promising restricted-class horses in Queensland having won his way through to open company with six wins.
He has 56kg on Saturday and is giving weight to several horses who have won more races or scored in black-type company.
Morgan believes owners should be encouraged to work their horses through their grades and then get the limit in open company races.
"Of course if they have won a restricted black-type race you wouldn't expect that," he said.
"But I can't come to terms with how a horse who is in effect still a Class 6 horse can have 2kg over the limit in an open company race.
"He can still probably win with this weight but what worries me is the weight he will get next time."
Morgan said if Harada Bay won he could expect to get 57.5kg or 58kg at his next open company start in Brisbane.
"In effect they are weighting the good up-and-coming horses out of open company Brisbane racing," he said.
He also pointed out that NSW and Queensland had different rating systems which seemed to favour NSW horses.
"In effect they (NSW) rate down and we rate up," he said.
Morgan and Harada Bay's trainers - The Meagher Racing Partnership - have resisted the temptation to claim and have stuck with senior jockey Jim Byrne.
Share
