Joe Pride has long pleaded for veteran Destiny’s Kiss to be treated more kindly by handicappers, and now he is about to put his argument in writing.
The Warwick Farm trainer will contact Racing Queensland in a bid to ensure the nine-year-old gelding does not cop what he fears will be an unrealistic weight for the Group Two Brisbane Cup.
Destiny’s Kiss claimed the 18th victory of his 83-race career in the Listed McKell Cup at Randwick on May 26, and Pride expects there to be a downside when handicappers run the rule over contenders for the Brisbane Cup (2200m) at Doomben on Saturday.
“We’re hoping to press on but the problem might be his benchmark,” Pride said.
“I’m going to write a letter to the handicapper up there to explain the ongoing debate I’ve had down here with him.
“Every time he wins they hike him up. I understand that to a degree but I believe they should find a level for a horse and that’s where they should stay.”
Destiny’s Kiss won the McKell Cup carrying 59.5kg with a benchmark of 105 and Pride expected that rating to jump to 109.
“In Brisbane he could run into a horse that’s won a couple of Group Twos and not be 109,” Pride said.
“Just because he happens to bump into a race he can win every now and again, I don’t see why they have to keep hiking him.
“You can’t tell me at start 83 he’s better than he was at start 70 or start 60. A horse can’t be improving after they’ve had 80 runs. He’s just remained ridiculously consistent.”
Pride says his call for leniency is backed up by the stalwart’s record in Group races.
“I think he should have a Listed benchmark. He’s so predictable in what he is,” he said.
