Trainer Less Ross puts stable complex up for sale as he eyes retirement

Trainer Les Ross has got the ball rolling on his retirement plan by putting his Hendra stable complex up for tender.

Trainer Les Ross has put his Hendra stable complex up for sale. Picture: Glenn Hunt

• Former premier to lead review into horse welfare
• Lloyd changes saddles to help old friend find winners

Trainer Les Ross has put his Hendra stable complex up for tender and intends to retire after next year’s Magic Millions carnival.

Ross has one of the few racing complexes still standing in the Hendra area and his property at 61 and 63 Pleystone Crescent, which comprises three blocks, is sure to be keenly sought after.

“I would like it to be sold to a racing interest, but the bottom line is it’s up for tender and I will take the best offer,” he said.

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Trainer Les Ross has put his Hendra stable complex up for sale. Picture: Glenn Hunt

Tenders close on February 24, but Ross said it’s his intention to continue training there until early next year.

“Mike Crooks has a super team of yearlings out there at the moment and I can’t wait to see them come into the stable,” he said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we had quite a few that make it into the Magic Millions.”

But after that, Ross intends to once again ride off into the sunset.

“It was only ever my intention to train until my kids finished school,” he said. “I never had an education and I wanted to put my kids through school. The youngest one has finished now. I always said I would retire at 55. I’m 56 now, so I’ve gone a year over.

“You never say never and Mike might entice me to train a couple for him sometime down the track, but the intention right now is to sell up and retire from training.”

Shark shows bite

Te Akau Shark put forward his case to be the star of the autumn in dynamic style at Te Rapa on Saturday, landing his inevitable Group 1 win.

Opie Bosson was moved to rate him “up with the best” he has ridden during his stellar career.

Te Akau Shark is scheduled to go to Sydney and make amends for his near miss in last year’s Epsom.

He's done it! @TeAkauRacing's Te Akau Shark ($1.40) heads to Sydney a Group 1 winner after cruising to the line under the urging of @opie_bosson in the BCD Group Sprint @TeRapaRacing pic.twitter.com/dZZV7XFoQH

— TAB Racing (@TAB_Racing) February 8, 2020

Welfare inquiry verdict

The report into the equine welfare inquiry, which was headed by retired District Court Judge Terry Martin, is expected to be handed down early this week. The inquiry delved into the regulatory and oversight arrangements of abattoirs and also the management of retired racehorses in Queensland, including horses moved from interstate.

Girl in the groove

Co-trainer Toby Edmonds had planned to send Vanna Girl for a short break after her win at the Sunshine Coast a fortnight ago, but when he saw her bouncing in her paddock the following day, he decided to press on with her campaign.

Edmonds holds Queensland Oaks aspirations for Vanna Girl and she was even more impressive in winning under 58.5kg on Saturday.

Edmonds may now press on further given how well Vanna Girl is performing.

“We need to get her rating up if she’s to run in those type of races,” he said. “She was up in weight but she put them away really quickly.”

Vanna Girl continued her good form at Eagle Farm. Picture: AAP

HOW THE FANCIES FARED AT EAGLE FARM

Race 1

MISHANI MACHINE, $2.40, 4th, (Jackson Morris): “They went a little slow in front. I feel she might be looking for 1400m now, but if they had gone harder I think she still would have won.”

Race 2

ART ATTACK, $3.30, 4th, (Mark Du Plessis): “He just can’t carry the weight. He’s only a little horse. He came back well at the end, but he has to either go up in class and carry less, or put a claimer on, because he can stay.”

Race 3

TWILIGHTER, $4.60, WON, Ultimate Ring $4.60, 2nd (Ryan Maloney): He was a bit awkward away and was just a victim of circumstances when they went so slow.”

Race 4

VANNA GIRL, $3.70, WON, Stuttering, $3.80, 2nd (Ron Stewart): “He was really stirred up. I tried to get him to relax (pre-race). He went to the line well, but he’s still a big baby. He’s better than what he showed today. He’s still learning.”

Race 5

KATY’S DAUGHTER, 5th, $1.90, (Steph Thornton): “She’s come to the end of her prep. I know she’s a four-year-old, but it’s only her second prep and she might just need a little break.”

Stephanie Thornton said Katy’s Daughter might need a break after her failure as an odds-on favourite at Eagle Farm. Picture: AAP

Race 6

SILVERA, 3rd, $2.35 (Baylee Nothdurft): “I got on the back of the right horse. I just think he’s looking for further now.”

COOL CHAP, 5th, $4 (Trainer Rob Heathcote): He’s going for a break now. I always have a little fear backing horses up when they are that deep into their preparation.”

Race 7

BOLD WARRIOR, 7th, $4.40 (Jag Guthmann-Chester): He’s a horse that needs to get rolling from the 600m. I probably made the mistake of not popping off and improving when a horse came around me.”

SOFIE’S GOLD CLASS, 8th, $4.50 (Mark Du Plessis): “She was seven weeks between runs and I just had to go back further than I would have liked to get in. She should improve a lot off that.”

Race 8

SNOWZONE, 13th, $3.10 (Andrew Mallyon): He just didn’t appreciate the firmness of the track. I had a lapful of horse and he didn’t let down at all.”

Race 9

WINTER PASSAGE, 4th, $4.20 (Ryan Maloney): I don’t think she handled that track. She just never felt comfortable.”