Gai Waterhouse says her mighty three-year-old Pierro can overcome the handicapper and win the Doncaster

Gai Waterhouse is delighted to have the Doncaster favourite, three-year-old champion Pierro, in tomorrow's race.

I am delighted to have the Doncaster favourite, three-year-old champion Pierro, in tomorrow's race. The Doncaster is Pierro's first time, in his career, away from "set weights". It is a big step.

It is a credit to owners, Greg and Donna Kolivos that they are letting him strut his stuff in this, Australia's greatest mile and a handicap. It would be easy to reserve the colt for the easy pickings of the weight-for-age contests.

Pierro would win those set-weight races as he liked. But a Donny win, with a big weight, would take him to another level. He is very adversely handicapped compared what he'd be in weight-for-age.

The handicapper's job is, in theory, to make all the runners cross the finish line together.

Pierro will start a clear favourite. So I can't say that he is poorly handicapped, can I? But it is a task with 57kg.

Bookmakers will foolishly gamble against him. The point is Pierro is a three-year-old against the older horses.

At this stage of the season, the time-honoured weight-for-age scale decrees that three-year-olds should receive 3 1/2kg from their elders.

Instead, Pierro is giving up to 4kg to his rivals.

It is true that since the turn of the century, five of the 12 renewals have been won by three-year-olds, including my Assertive Lad.

All good horses, but none of them have carried more than 54kg. But, Pierro is a champion and I know he'll win. Pierro has dogged determination. He simply "finds the line".

On paper, over his career, punters may say that his winning margins don't justify his short-betting quotes. But his starting prices reflect his ability to do whatever it takes to be first over the line.

Pierro, about two furlongs out, sticks his ears back and makes sure he wins.

Pierro has had a wonderful partnership with Nash Rawiller and I'm pleased to report that Nash is at the top of his game.

Greg Kolivos may well decide to retire him after tomorrow. A Doncaster win would be a marvellous high to retire on.

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MAJOR CONQUEST

EDUARDO Cojuangco's Gooree Stud produces great racehorses. The stud's produce are often not oil paintings but they are tough, fast runners. Their two-year-old filly, Major Conquest, should win tomorrow's Keith MacKay Handicap .

Major Conquest surprised racegoers in running third in the Group 2 Magic Night Stakes three weeks ago.

She showed that leap forward of improvement that we all look for - the so-called "upward spiral".

Mark my words, she'll leap forward again.

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JUVENILE TEST

THE time-honoured Fernhill Handicap is the first 1600m test for quality two-year-olds.

It is a real staying test - like a 2400m for older horses.

I start two runners in the race: Hydro and Aztec Rose.

Both will run well and will appreciate the mile.

Hydro has the better exposed form. I really liked his run a fortnight ago in the Group 3 The Schweppervescence.

The track was soft, he was up contesting the lead in a stern pace and was finishing again at the end.

He'll love the mile and he is also improving. A good recipe.

I should add, his young breeder, Henry Field, is a rising force in the thoroughbred industry.

His Newgate Farm produces excellent stock. Hydro is typical of them.