Kelly’s gang eyes raid on home turf at Gold Coast

REJUVENATED trainer Les Kelly has a number of top chances primed to continue a recent red-hot streak on his home track at the Gold Coast.

REJUVENATED trainer Les Kelly has a number of top chances primed to continue a recent red-hot streak on his home track at the Gold Coast.

Sheza Lily (Race 7) will run as one of the shortest-priced favourites of the day in the 1800m 2MW, Desmon’s Pride (Race 10) chases a fourth straight win in the BM80, while stable newcomer and recent trial winner Ruler (Race 6) is a big query runner in the 3YO Handicap.

The recent successful run of the stable has been the product of a steady build-up since returning from a self-imposed 18-month break Kelly had from training between January 2015 and July last year.

“I trained my first winner in 1976,” the 60-year-old said.

‘‘I’ve been around a while.

“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, hoping to reach 30 in time.

Since returning from his hiatus, Kelly has trained 45 winners from 226 runners.

This season his numbers have skyrocketed, with 23 winners from 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 rates Sheza Lily his best hope on Saturday.

Trainer Les Kelly. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography

“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.

‘‘If he wins (today) then great, but if not I’m keen to see him get some minor prizemoney to qualify for the Magic Millions Maiden.”

A feature of Kelly’s winning run has been his partnership with jockey Ryan Plumb, who rides Desmon’s Pride today.

The pair have a 35 per cent strike rate from 86 runners this calendar year.

“I’ve known Ryan for a long time and when I came back he was just moving back to the Coast so I asked him to come and ride work for me,” Kelly said.

“Because he rides the work, he has a good feel of all the horses and that’s a huge help.”

Desmon’s Pride winning at the Gold Coast in December. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography

CURRIE HOPES VICTORY TOAST WILL GO BOOM

BEN Currie is hoping to ride the Spirit Of Boom wave of success when he debuts Victory Toast at the Gold Coast.

Initially Currie was going to scratch Victory Toast when he drew the outside barrier (9) on Wednesday.

But after a closer assessment of the field and the three feature wins by Spirit Of Boom youngsters in the past week, the trainer had a change of heart.

“I thought we may as well try and jump on the bandwagon,” he said. “It’s a bit different to a trainer or jockey, but sometimes when something’s on a hot streak it just keeps going and I hope that’s the case with this filly.

“At this stage I think she’s above average but no star. I guess I’m hoping she’s a bit like some of the other Spirit Of Booms we have seen. They seem to be going well enough at home, but they just explode when they get to the races.

“She’s a Magic Millions filly and this is probably her last chance to qualify, so I’ve decided we may as well roll the dice. It doesn’t look the strongest of races, with nothing really jumping off the page from the raced ones. I guess Paquirri looks the one to beat based on the Jonker formline.”

Currie intends to scratch the unbeaten Bella Occhi from today’s Benchmark 75 (900m), leaving him with Crusher, who is also unbeaten in two starts.

“Bella has drawn the inside at Ipswich next week so we will save her for that race. I didn’t really want to run them together,” he said.

“I’ve given Crusher plenty of time since the last win. Jeff (Lloyd) wasn’t happy with her action that day, so we gave her a good, long break.”

Lloyd has missed the ride today after committing to a Toby Edmonds runner which did not accept, leaving Matt McGillivray to swoop.

Currie also saddles in-form Amanaat (Race 9, Benchmark 90), who faces his “acid test” today according to the trainer.

“He’s been a beauty and just kept lifting the bar each time,” he said.

Currie said the widely drawn Boomwaa would also be withdrawn on Saturday.

Originally published as Kelly’s gang eyes raid on home turf at Gold Coast