His clients didn’t need much money and in fact only needed his good eye.
That’s what trainer Les Ross can appreciate about the horses he landed from the 2021 Magic Millions sale. He saddles three in the big 2YO race and those three yearlings cost the princely sum of $12,000.
Now, that’s not $12,000 each, which in itself would be paltry compared to his vaunted rivals, but $12,000 all up.
AND, he’s the only trainer to have three runners in the $2million 2YO Classic this Saturday at the Gold Coast.
Next best is Annabel Neasham with two and Team Snowden also saddle up two runners.
Ponder that for a moment.
The Les Ross runners are: MISHANI WARFARE (The Mission – Mishani Harmony) who cost $2000, has won $181,050 and has drawn 7 to be ridden by James Orman.
Also in there is MISHANI SPARTAN (Husson – Monicelli) who also cost $2000, and who has won $113,000 from his two starts where he is un beaten. He leaves from gate 3 with Jackson Morris on board.
And finally, Ross saddles his expensive boy, MISHANI PERSUASION (Heroic Valour – Persuades) who cost $8,000. He has won $101,650. He has gate 21 with Sydney’s Rachel King to ride.
If there are any scratchings, Ross has a filly in there hoping for a start too. She is SPANISH ANGELS (Sidestep – Maxi Legs) who cost her owner $150,000. She has earned $35,975.
Now, by comparison the top 5 yearlings from that same sale were BASQUIAT (Snitzel – Bonny O’reilly) who fetched $1.9million. He has yet to race.
The unnamed Kingman – Florentina filly who fetched $1.8million.
MAN IN THE MIRROR (Not A Single Doubt – One More honey) cost $1.8million also. He has raced and won in town but is not contesting the Classic.
Next cost $1.5million and his name is DIACO (Not A Single Doubt – Soleil Brulant). He has trialled running 7th of 8 but not raced.
And finally, $1.2million was forked out for the colt PYROIS (Written Tycoon – Taqaseem) who is yet to race but has won a barrier trial.
It is the sport of kings but these graduate races from sales can give the battlers a great shot too and the Les Ross trio are a classic example of that.
Of his, perhaps Mishani Warfare is the best of them, but the unbeaten Mishani Spartan is untapped and could just go bang.
It is a great feather in Ross’ cap. He trains at Beaudesert and has been training juvenile winners for years.
He’s a dab hand at it and he should be rewarded with a big race day win.
He certainly deserves recognition for his astonishing effort this year.
Incidentally, on prices, the raging hot odds on fav for the big race is COOLANGATTA (Written Tycoon – Piping Hot) who cost $280,000.
