Tom Waterhouse ridiculed over 'bizarre' Christmas tweets

Former bookmaker Tom Waterhouse has never shied away from a publicity stunt, but it doesn’t seem like his latest string of social media posts is likely to win over any prospective punters.

In separate posts on Twitter and Instagram, Waterhouse wrote ‘From my family to yours, wishing you all Merry Christmas’ - an admittedly benign sentiment, although one that was made all the more tasteless by a row of bikini-clad women standing behind him.

'F*** COVID': Greg Norman vents as virus ruins legend's Christmas

TRAGIC: Family confirms fresh development in Dean Jones' death

The son of champion horse trainer Gai Waterhouse posted a different image to Instagram, this time with him sitting down at a marble table, again surrounded by women.

One is offering Waterhouse a napkin, while others are seen carrying various farm animals, while a rabbit sits on the table next to Waterhouse.

‘Good times in Happy Valley’, the Instagram post read.

What was likely intended as a cheeky Christmas message read as anything but to members of the public, who quickly turned to mocking the former betting mogul.

“If these are your daughters or sisters this is f***ing weird. If they aren't, it's f***ing weird. It's just f***ing weird mate,” on Twitter user replied.

“Seen some bizarre s**t on Twitter this year but this takes the cake and chocolates too,” another person wrote.

For his part, Waterhouse seems to have let the criticism simply bounce off him - retweeting both praise and criticism of his posts in equal measure.

Freedman trio the perfect Boxing Day fit

Michael Freedman will squeeze in a quiet Christmas Day celebration with his family but with three runners at Randwick on Boxing Day, the trainer won't be getting much respite.

Along with Good Friday, Christmas is one of only two days each year when no race meetings are held but that does not mean a day off for trainers.

"There is normal trackwork then I'll go home, open a few presents and have a bit of lunch. That's Christmas day," Freedman said.

However, there might be room for a few more celebrations on Saturday if Mushaireb, Greek Hero or Outback Diva can win at Randwick.

Mushaireb was nominated for the Group Three Summer Cup but connections have opted to take the softer option and the Dynamic Syndications gelding will contest the Ranvet Handicap (1800m).

With three runs under his belt, including a midfield effort behind Kirwan's Lane on Villiers Stakes day, Freedman expects the seven-year-old to be ready to peak.

"He usually does take a few runs to reach his peak fitness but it was quite a good run the other day," Freedman said.

"He certainly strips a lot fitter and he's drawn well so it looks like a nice sort of race for him now he is fully fit."

With AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.