Ross gives green light for three-pronged QTIS attack

By Glenn Davis

Eagle Farm trainer Les Ross has been one of the state’s biggest supporters of the QTIS scheme and is hopeful of more success at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

Ross won the QTIS trainers’ premiership last season and will launch a three-pronged attack in the $105,000 Two-Year-Old Classic Plate over 1200 metres.

Spearheading the charge will be Mishani Enchanted, a $3.60 second favourite behind the Bryan Dais-trained Glorious Days at $2.15.

Mishani Enchanted - a Michael Rodd mount - will have back-up support from $8 chance Mishani Tulip while topweight Mishani Bandit is the stable roughie at $23 in latest TAB markets.

Mishani Bandit will back-up after finishing second to stablemate Our Hot Friend in a QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate over 1000 metres at Eagle Farm on Thursday.

He also will start Mishani Rebel in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1000m).

All four are owned by Mick Crooks, principal of Mishani Enterprises.

Crooks made a name in business building swimming pools and has forged a lasting friendship with Ross who has 38 horses in work at his Eagle Farm and Beaudesert stables.

Ross rates the QTIS scheme as the best concept he’s seen in racing.

Ross is not concerned about backing up Mishani Bandit but favours Mishani Enchanted as the pick of his trio in the two-year-old feature.

Mishani Enchanted is coming off a last start fourth to the Kris Lees-trained Mystic Gem over 1050 metres at Doomben last Saturday.

“Mishani Bandit is very tough and is probably the toughest of the three," Ross said.

“But Mishani Enchanted is probably my best chance and I liked his last start when he ran fourth at Doomben.

“He never had any luck and had more checks than a bank taller.

“I’ve always had a soft spot for Mishani Enchanted and both he and Mishani Bandit are eligible for a $50,000 bonus if they win.”

Outside his own chances, Ross rates the Bryan Dais-trained Glorious Days as a threat to him continuing his QTIS strike rate.

Glorious Days produced an eye-catching run at his only start when a close second to the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Swift Witness over 1100 metres at the Gold Coast on January 9.