Les Ross with strong hand as Gold Coast Polytrack era commences

By Jordan Gerrans

Known as the “QTIS King” in the Sunshine State, Les Ross will be searching for more of it as the Gold Coast Turf Club ushers in a new era of racing at Aquis Park on Saturday afternoon.

The club will run their first meeting on the new Polytrack, with seven races set to be conducted.

While the surface was installed to assist with training and wet weather contingencies, with a redevelopment of the course proper now under way, the Polytrack will continue to allow the Gold Coast Turf Club to race each week whilst the $63 million redevelopment is completed.

The new Polytrack will be used as the primary racing surface at the Gold Coast until the redevelopment of the course proper is completed.

The club received strong nominations of 104 for its debut meeting, with 64 set to face the starter following acceptances.

Ross – who trains out of Eagle Farm and his Beaudesert property – will be shooting to win the first ever race on the new Polytrack, with three of the seven horses accepted in the opening event from his barn.

The renowned trainer of babies scratched Mishani Ambitious on Friday morning – opting to instead head to a race next Wednesday with the maiden filly.

He heads to the QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap over 1050 metres with two chances - Mishani Mystique and Mishani Metallic - and says his stable will frequent the new Polytrack in 2023.

“Some horses like this surface and some don’t, but you will not know until you put them over it,” Ross said.

“As they are going to be racing on this surface for the year, it is important horses get used to it so I will be running most of mine over it to see if they handle it.

“Mishani Persuasion – who is in the third race on Saturday - has been around on the Sunshine Coast track for two thirds, so we know he gets through it ok.

“I will try most of mine over it at the Gold Coast this year.

“If they are having QTIS maidens at the Gold Coast, then mine will be going there.”

Respected Queensland hoop Michael Cahill rode on the new Polytrack in trials earlier this month and enjoyed the experience.

“It is good under foot, there is no doubt about that,” Cahill said.

“It feels nice and horses just glide across it.

“I am very happy with it and I am looking forward to racing on it.”

The Ross runners in the opening event from the Bundall complex on Saturday will both run under the famous “Mishani” moniker for leading owner Mike Crooks.

Mishani Metallic – who ran second at Ipswich last-start – will be ridden by Anthony Allen on Saturday and Ross believes the grey filly is his best winning chance in the race.

“Mishani Mystique was disappointing the other day but we did have Jimmy Orman on and he rode a kilogram over,” Ross said.

“We have gone the other way this start with Alisha Donald taking weight off with her claim.

“I think she will go a lot better from that as she jumped from an awkward alley that day at Ipswich.

“I would lean towards Mishani Metallic being the better of the two but I do expect Mystique to improve from the last run.”

The $63 million redevelopment will be completed in time for the 2024 The Star Gold Coast Magic Millions Raceday, with the upgrades including broadcast quality lighting to allow for twilight and night racing, an in-field tunnel bolstering equine safety and a resurfaced track.

“The $63 million redevelopment of the Gold Coast Turf Club is creating almost 330 jobs during construction and will inject $100 million to the local economy,” Racing Minister Grace Grace said.

“It’s now delivered its first major project with the installation of the all-weather Polytrack.

“Installed by Martin Collins Australia, this artificial surface will allow racing to go ahead in wet weather situations when it otherwise would be called off.

“A similar track has been installed on the Sunshine Coast and has already proven a vital asset, with 15 race meetings that would have otherwise been cancelled due to rain rescheduled at Corbould Park.

“The Gold Coast Polytrack is also an invaluable resource for training and trialling.”