Gai Waterhouse says handicappers have put mares at a disadvantage in the Melbourne Cup since the great Makybe Diva dominated the race.Sydney's premier trainer was reacting after her Cup chance Tuesday Joy was given 54.5kg for the 3200-metre race.Tuesday Joy was put through her paces in an exhibition gallop between races at Randwick on Wednesday."Ever since Makybe Diva won the Cup they've raised it a kilo and a half, it's the silliest thing I've ever heard," Waterhouse said, referring to the cham

Gai Waterhouse says handicappers have put mares at a disadvantage in the Melbourne Cup since the great Makybe Diva dominated the race.

Sydney's premier trainer was reacting after her Cup chance Tuesday Joy was given 54.5kg for the 3200-metre race.

Tuesday Joy was put through her paces in an exhibition gallop between races at Randwick on Wednesday.

"Ever since Makybe Diva won the Cup they've raised it a kilo and a half, it's the silliest thing I've ever heard," Waterhouse said, referring to the champion mare who won the Melbourne Cup a record three times between 2003 and 2005.

"They (mares) are at a disadvantage. They don't win that many of those big races.

"She's got it but what do you do with it? You just make sure you don't get another handicap on top of it."

Waterhouse was pleased with Tuesday Joy's work but said the multiple Group One winner's program remained up in the air.

"I'm very, very happy with her," Waterhouse said.

"I have the option of re-trialling her and putting her program back but I won't make my mind up on that front for a couple of days.

"We put her blinkers on today just to say 'Hey lady we're in for serious business today' and it really worked."

Her comfortable gallop was a far cry from her dramatic barrier trial at Wyong on August 28 when she reared in the gates after a barrier malfunction resulted in them opening early.

The mare struck jockey Nash Rawiller, breaking his nose and he was covered in blood as Tuesday Joy ran last of five in the 1200-metre trial.

There had been reports Tuesday Joy had lost her zip but Waterhouse dismissed those following the gallop at Randwick.

"The other day I wasn't sure and Nash said 'Oh, she doesn't feel one hundred per cent right'," Waterhouse said.

"But often when these horses aren't fit they can go through a stress period when they're not quite stretching out."