Straddie plans for River Racer
TRAINER Les Ross is so bullish about River Racer’s winter prospects that he twisted the arm of the mare’s owner to lob in a Stradbroke nomination this week.
River Racer returned to winning form, putting inform sprinter Mr Marbellouz to the sword in Class 6 grade at Doomben last time out.
She now returns to stakes grade, taking on the flying Sydneysider Anatola in today’s Listed Silk Stocking (1200m) on the Gold Coast.
Ross hasn’t been afraid to toss River Racer into the deep end previously and he’s hardly baulking at the prospect of facing the southerners
in the $150,000 race today.
“I’ve always said she’s the best horse I’ve trained and nothing has changed my mind,” Ross said.
“She had a long time off but it’s been good for her, she’s come back better than she ever was.
“I couldn’t have her any better and this is the happiest I’ve ever been with her.
“If she runs the same as she did the other day she’s got to be right up to this and I
can tell you she hasn’t gone backwards.”
Ross usually shuns the limelight and is just as happy winning an Ipswich maiden but River Racer has set his pulse racing again.
“I generally don’t want to go to the big races, I’m happier to win in easier,” he said. “But I urged the owner to throw in a Stradbroke nomination.
“If she happens to win impressively (today), that’s the way I will be going.
“And if it happened to pour down on Stradbroke day, she’d be in it up to her ears.”
The $1.5 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) will be run at Doomben on June 9.
Ross said there was a legitimate excuse for River Racer’s first-up defeat, and with that behind her she was able to show her real ability at her last start.
“She was beaten first-up but I had her ready to run 1350m and that meeting was washed out, so she just found the 1200m too sharp because she was a bit dour,” he said.
“But with three weeks between runs we sharpened her up and she was outstanding last time.”