Ross fights back to winning ways after lean spell pain
AS would be expected from a more than handy boxer, Les Ross has climbed off the canvas to be back in business in the Brisbane training ranks.
Ross, who is still a member of a Brisbane boxing club, recently split with his biggest owner, Mick Crooks, after a highly successful partnership. “I had a bit of a lean spot and Mick wanted to try something different,” Ross said.
The Eagle Farm trainer has been in top form with six winners in the past four weeks, including a double at Caloundra last Sunday.
“Things have been going OK in recent times and I hope it continues. In this business you have to take wins when they come,” Ross said. “I’ve got some nice horses, including River Racer, who is pretty handy.”
One of the mainstays of Ross’s stable has been sixyear-old mare Total Authority in the Jim Beam Open (1350m) at Doomben today.
“She was a good third at Doomben in an open handicap behind some handy horses and then won well in restricted class at Eagle Farm,” Ross said. “The thing about her is she can get out and make her own luck.”
Total Authority is raced by her breeder Eugene Nolan, who will eventually also breed from the mare, and Ross would love to add to her stud value with an Open win.
Flamboyer is edging Total Authority for favouritism, with his Gold Coast trainer Kelly Doughty hoping to get him to next month’s Group 3 Cameron Handicap at Newcastle.
Flamboyer won his first two starts back from a spell and has been far from disgraced with a recent fourth at 1600m and a third over 1400m at Eagle Farm.
“If he races well on Saturday we will head to the Cameron, otherwise he could be ready for a break,” Doughty said.