Racing’s ‘leading lady’ Gai Waterhouse makes big error about Rosehill Gardens
High-profile racehorse trainer welcomed the decision not to sell off Rosehill Gardens Racecourse to make way for housing, saying it was a win for the people of “Liverpool”, a suburb 20km away.
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She hasn’t been to a race meeting at Rosehill since before the Covid-19 pandemic, so it’s hardly surprising Gai Waterhouse doesn’t know where it is.
Welcoming the decision not to sell off the racecourse to make way for housing, the high-profile trainer repeatedly hailed it as a win for the people of Liverpool, a suburb 20km away.
Racing’s “first lady”, who spearheaded the Save Rosehill campaign when the NSW Government offered $5bn for the site, spoke on radio from France, where she is currently holidaying, soon after the proposed sale was rejected on Tuesday.
Ms Waterhouse told 2GB’s Clinton Maynard she was “delirious” that Australian Turf Club members had voted against selling the track to make way for 25,000 new houses.
“It gives the people of Liverpool, not only racing, but it gives the people of Liverpool a wonderful outlet … who wants 25,000 extra people living there? It would have made it just horrendous,” Ms Waterhouse said.
“If I was a resident of Liverpool, I would have been voting no … as a member of the ATC, you couldn’t think of selling it.
“It’s our premier track. It’s the one track we own.
“They’ve made the right decision. They’re not fools, the members.”
About 11,000 ATC members took part in the vote, with 56 per cent voting against selling off the site.
Earlier this month, The Daily Telegraph revealed Ms Waterhouse had not been to a race meeting at the Western Sydney track since before the Covid-19 pandemic more than five years ago.
“Just because I’m not at the races at Rosehill doesn’t mean I don’t love it,” she said at the time.
“I spend 24/7 of my seven days a week thinking and breathing racing.
“I love racing and I’m passionate about Rosehill.”
Ms Waterhouse has been contacted for comment following the radio gaffe.
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