While the likes of Lloyd Williams celebrate Melbourne Cup day at Flemington, the Deep Pockets syndicate – a group of mates that also owns lightly-raced filly Divine Decision – will be trackside at Moree cheering home impressive last-start winner Russian Empire.

But Sinclair says that despite Russian Empire’s recent class record-breaking maiden win at Inverell, the three-year-old has its work cut out under the new benchmarking system.

Russian Empire, with a 44-benchmark rating, has been given 56kg – up to 2kg more than multiple winners Monchique (BM-41), Ivor Halo (BM-40) and Lightning Luke (BM-40).

The gelding’s weight will be offset with the booking of 3kg-claimer Daniel Northey however Sinclair, like many other country-based trainers, believes the new system is fundamentally flawed.

“The benchmark races are ridiculous; there is nothing wrong with how we had it before – class one-two-three-four races,” Sinclair said.

“Seriously, I just hate the way it is now. It’s ridiculous in the sense that you can come out of a maiden win and run into horses that have won anywhere up to three, four or five races.

“This might be good for the older horses to keep them going but what about the younger horses that don’t get a chance.

“The only thing in my favour is that I’ve got Daniel Northey and he’s the only apprentice at the meeting, but if there were more there with a claim I wouldn’t be achieving anything,” he said.

The benchmark system supersedes the ratings system however the general belief is that it has been changed in name only.

“They (Racing NSW) will argue the benchmark system is different because the horses are graded differently,” Sinclair said.

“The big difference is that you can race above your benchmark, but you have to cop the weight – for every benchmark point you are over, you carry half a kilo.”

However, Sinclair says Russian Empire could very well overcome the hurdles and give the Deep Pockets syndicate reason to cheer.

“The horse is going well. He jarred a little bit after Inverell but he’s over all that now,” Sinclair said.

“He’s only young and has a lot of maturing to do, but hopefully he has a good future – he’s a nice, big, relaxed horse and is good-

winded.”