Les Ross has made gear changes for two of his Doomben runners as he begins another bid to be Brisbane’s leading trainer of juveniles.
Ross has three of the eight runners – Fallen For You, One Golden Day and Mishani Believer – in Saturday’s Smoke and Mirrors Handicap for fillies.
The popular trainer won 14 juvenile races last season with horses such as QTIS Horse of the Year Mishani Honcho, Frequendly, Mishani Di Caprio and Dandy One.
“We had a very strong run last season and at one stage I think I was up with (Godolphin trainer) John O’Shea in terms of two-year-old winners,” Ross said.
The trainer has the backing of one of Queensland’s leading owners, Mick Crooks, whose horses race in a distinctive watermelon set of colours.
A former western Queensland trainer, Ross was a big success when he moved to the city a decade ago but had a break from the sport in the mid-2000s.
On his return Ross decided to train a small team but his numbers have gradually grown.
“Mick has been very good to me,” he said.
“I have about 26 horses at the moment and most of those are two-year-olds for Mick. He breeds them and buys them so he deserves luck.”
All three of Ross’s runners on Saturday are owned by Crooks.
“At this stage Fallen For You is the best of them,” Ross said.
“She was a good second at her first start and I will put the hood on her for this run.”
“Mishani Believer is the one that has improved most for her first run but she would want to improve a long way. I have added blinkers to her as well.”
One Golden Day, a filly by Pressday, is having her first start and Ross expects her to be improved by the experience.
