Les Ross aims Sniper at stakes success before retirement: ‘I want to go to the Tamworth Country Music Festival’

Les Ross admits each winner is a bit sweeter as he counts down the days until his retirement from training at the end of the season, with the popular trainer set to take off on a trip around the world.

Les Ross has a heap of things on his to do list once he retires next month, but the larrikin trainer is looking to go out with a bang on Saturday with one of his favourite horses before his time is up.

The famous Mishani Man is aiming up with Mishani Sniper in the Group 3 Healy Stakes (1200m), in what will begin a farewell tour of sorts for the popular trainer.

The horse, who he famously had the biggest bet of his life on as a two-year-old, will be one of Ross’ final runners next month when he lines up in the Listed Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.

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Ross, who revealed his shock battle against cancer last month, admits retirement is creeping up on him quicker than he expected and kept the door open to one day returning to the sport he loves.

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He admits every victory tastes sweeter as he winds down and says a win on Saturday with Mishani Sniper, a $17 chance with TAB, would be a dream come true.

“It’d be a dream come true if I could win on Saturday, everyone wants to be able to go out a winner, but we’re running out of time,” he said.

“It has come around a bit quicker than I wanted, but it has to be done.

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Trainer Les Ross, who is retiring with prostate cancer, and colourful owner Mike Crooks. Picture: Supplied.

Mishani Sniper wins at Doomben. Picture: Grant Peters — Trackside Photography.

“That horse will probably be one of my last runners because win lose or draw, he will go from that race on Saturday to the Ramornie at Grafton next month, which would be one of my last days.

“He is one of my favourites, I won a heap of money on him in his first start at the Gold Coast and we took him to Rockhampton for The Archer, which I thought could have flattened him, but he ran good the other day (in the Hinkler).”

Ross says he isn’t sure what retirement holds in store for him, but says his first port of call is surgery to remove his troublesome prostate.

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“It is hard to get your head around, I don’t really have a date set for the final runner,” he said.

“I got disqualified 10 years ago for six months and I said I’d never train again after that, so I don’t know how long retirement is for.

“I want at least two years off to get around Australia and go overseas a bit to have a look around, I won’t say never again like last time.

“I want to travel around a bit, be able to go here or go there, but there are a few things I want to tick off like the Tamworth Country Music festival and Gympie Muster, which I might miss this year.

“I want to do the Birdsville races at some point as well.”

Originally published as Les Ross aims Sniper at stakes success before retirement: ‘I want to go to the Tamworth Country Music Festival’