Sheza good bet to extend streak
REJUVENATED trainer Les Kelly has a number of top chances primed to continue a recent hot streak on his home track at the Gold Coast today.
Sheza Lily (Race 7) will run one of the shortest priced favourites of the day, Desmon’s Pride (Race 10) chases a fourth straight win, while stable newcomer and recent trial winner Ruler (Race 6) is a big query runner.
The recent successful run of the stable has been the product of a steady build-up since returning from a selfimposed 18 month break Kelly had from training between January 2015 and July last year.
“I trained my first winner in 1976. I’ve been around a while,” the 60-year-old said.
“I just got burnt out. I went away and was doing some work selecting horses for Singapore trainers, which I enjoyed.
“It was (prominent owner) Les Cowell who talked me into having another go.”
With the early backing of Cowell, who he trains “four or five for all the time”, Kelly has built his Ascot Lodge Gold Coast stable to 23 and hopes to reach 30.
Since returning from his hiatus, Kelly has trained 45 winners from 226 runners.
This season his numbers have skyrocketed, with 23 winners from just 74 runners (31 per cent), producing a 17 per cent profit off a flat stake bet on every runner.
Since October 21 it’s 14 winners from 39 runners (36 per cent) for a 43 per cent profit.
“We’re working hard and I’ve worked out when you work hard, you have success,” Kelly said.
The trainer rates Sheza Lily, who has won five times at the Gold Coast track, his best hope today.
“She was desperately unlucky last start and I think next time in she could measure up to the top grade,” he said. “Desmon’s Pride is very honest. With his style of racing he is likely to go back from the draw, but he will race well.
“Ruler is a nice horse who will be improved by the run.”
WE’RE WORKING HARD AND I’VE WORKED OUT WHEN YOU WORK HARD, YOU HAVE SUCCESS
TRAINER LES KELLY