'Madness': Racing icon Gai Waterhouse slams call to cancel Tancred Stakes day at Rosehill due to wet weather
Updated . First published
Iconic Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse has slammed the decision to postpone the Tancred Stakes day at Rosehill on Saturday due to overnight rain.
Racing NSW stewards announced the race meet, which had two group one races scheduled, would be called off due to the condition of the track, with up to 50mm forecast for the remainder of the day.
Officials have not announced when they will reschedule the meeting, which was to feature the $1.5 million weight-for-age Tancred Stakes (2400m) and $750,000 Vinery Stud Stakes.
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Ashley Morgan riding Private Harry win Race 9 Kia Ora Galaxy during the "TAB Golden Slipper" - Sydney Racing at Rosehill Gardens on March 22, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images) Getty
"With what we've had and what's forecast, there's no certainty we could have got through the program," Australian Turf Club head of racing and wagering Nevesh Ramdhani said.
"We are ringing around to just get trainers' views on it, and it won't be long until we have a contingency plan in place.
"They are saying the rain is only today, and it will ease tonight, but whether tomorrow is going to be ideal ... it's probably still going to be a genuine heavy."
Waterhouse was heavily critical of the decision, taking to X to give her opinion that had the same amount of rain fallen just about anywhere else in the world, there would be no chance the meeting would be called off.
"What's gone wrong?," she posted on X.
"I think anyone from overseas looking in on us would comment on what madness it is. If this was NZ, Europe, UK, Ireland or the US they would all be racing at Rosehill today, yet we've abandoned.
"I dread to think of the costs associated with this!"
The surface was rated a soft 7 just before 7am and a further inspection was booked for 9am but the continued rain forced an earlier decision.
The program was also set to feature the group 2 Tulloch, Emancipation and Neville Sellwood Stakes and the group 3 Baillieu, Star Kingdom and Doncaster Prelude.