Blustery conditions have been blamed for the downfall of odds-on favourite Ecuador but he lost no lustre in the eyes of trainer Gai Waterhouse despite his defeat at Rosehill on Saturday.

Sent out a slightly easy $1.40 favourite for the Kari Aboriginal Resources Inc Handicap (1900m), Ecuador made the running but he was no match for the fast-finishing Multilateral who powered down the outside to score by three-quarters of a length.

The Chris Waller-trained winner enjoyed a 6kg pull in the weights and Waterhouse felt Ecuador's handicap, along with a strong wind, contributed to his defeat.

"He ran a terrific race but the weight and the conditions unfortunately took their toll," Waterhouse said.

"(Jockey) Tommy Berry was trying to conserve the horse with the weight and the conditions and it probably played a bit against him."

Waterhouse remains committed to backing-up Ecuador in either the Epsom Handicap (1600m) or Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick next weekend.

However, he is well down the order of entry for both races and will have to rely on a heavy attrition rate to gain a Group One start.

Jim Cassidy rode Multilateral and said the wind had an impact.

"It was blowing a gale but I got cover and you need to get cover out there," Cassidy said.

"I thought the favourite would paddle the last bit."