ROSS LIKES GROUP 1 CHANCES
QUEENSLAND trainer Les Ross has taken a line through Golden Slipper fifth placegetter Headwater as a positive guide to Mishani Honcho’s chances in the Group 1 Sires Produce Stakes today.
Ross admitted he was initially disappointed when Mishani Honcho finished fourth, 5½ lengths behind subsequent Golden Slipper winner Vancouver in the Todman Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill three weeks ago.
However, Ross watched the efforts of the Todman runners in the Golden Slipper and he was buoyed, especially by Headwater’s effort.
“I don’t want to make any big statements because I really was disappointed in his Todman run,” the Brisbane-based Ross said.
“But the winner did run 1:8.8 seconds and my bloke simply isn’t that good – he is a 1:9 or 1:10 horse.
“We finished within a long head of Headwater in the Todman and he came out and ran a very good fifth in the Golden Slipper.”
He said he had always suspected that Mishani Honcho would be at his best when he got to 1400m. Mishani Honcho has been in Sydney since he finished third to Headwater and Voilier in the Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) on February 21.
The gelding has settled in well at Randwick and Ross couldn’t be happier with him going into today’s $1 million race at the track.
“When we came to Sydney we planned to see if he was up to the Golden Slipper and he wasn’t,” he said. “But we always felt the Sires would be his race.”
Gold Coast jockey Chris Whitely will retain the ride on Mishani Honcho after partnering him in the Todman.
Whitely has ridden the Jet Spur gelding in three of his four wins, including the Group 3 B.J. McLachlan Stakes (1200m) on wet track at the Gold Coast on December 27.
Blue Diamond Stakes winner Pride Of Dubai remains the $3.50 favourite for the Sires ahead of Golden Slipper runner-up English and Ready For Victory at $4.60.
Ready For Victory cost himself a better position in the Slipper than fourth when he ran towards the outside fence in his first clockwise start.