Speedster Josh Ross using Bay Sheffield to launch bid for Gold Coast Commonwealth Games spot

DUAL Olympian Josh Ross, coming off three years struggling to find his true form, will use the Bay Sheffield at Colley Reserve on Thursday to kickstart his season as he chases a berth at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April.

Joshua Ross, in red far right, becomes the first man to win the Bay Sheffield from scratch in 2012.

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NINE-TIMES national sprint champion Josh Ross is hoping Thursday’s Bay Sheffield at Colley Reserve will be the springboard to a summer revival and selection for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April.

After three years of frustration, the dual Olympian is focused on finding the form which enabled him to create history in 2012 as the only sprinter to claim Bay Sheffield glory from scratch.

However, retirement at season’s end is also in the back of his mind should he fail to reignite his career.

“Three weeks ago I was not in shape (for a tilt at the Bay Sheffield),” Ross said. “But hopefully this race will catapult me into the Australian 100m season and Commonwealth Games.

“That is my main goal and I’ve always used pro running throughout my career for preparation for the season. This is also a very sentimental place for me and I always love coming back here.”

Sprinter Josh Ross will use Thursday’s Bay Sheffield as a launchpad for selection for next year’s Commonwealth Games.

Ross admits athletics had been a struggle for the past three years as he battled to get back into the shape he had become accustomed when ruling the nation as sprint king.

He said he was now trying to become settled again following his move back to the NSW Central Coast, the region where he grew up, after five years based in Melbourne.

Now training alone and without coaching support, he was also seeking consistency in his work on the track as well as finding “peace of mind”.

Josh Ross after winning the 2012 Bay Sheffield. He says Colley Reserve is a sentimental place for him.

“I’ve moved back to the Central Coast for the lifestyle, I missed running on the beach and fishing,” Ross said. “It you are not happy you are not going to run properly, running is a reflection of your happiness.

“It has been a struggle getting back to the shape I used to be in. But I’m a strong willed individual and don’t take no for an answer.

“So I don’t care how long it takes, I’ll keep moving forward to where I used to be.”

Ross faces a massive challenge repeating his 2012 heroics from a scratch handicap. He has been drawn in the 12th and final feat.

South Australian Harrison Hunt is favourite to earn the $13,500 winner’s cheque for the 120m Gift, opening at $3 with bookmakers. Hunt is coming off a highly productive season with two 70m victories as well as a win in the Brighton Gift.

Kayla Lemm and Molly Farmer are the favourites for the women’s Gift.

Originally published as Speedster Josh Ross using Bay Sheffield to launch bid for Gold Coast Commonwealth Games spot