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Miss Sara unlikely to back-up in QTIS Jewel

10 March 2018

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By Glenn Davis

Trainer Les Ross won’t be tempted to back-up Miss Sara in next week’s $250,000 QTIS Jewel at the Gold Coast despite the filly’s narrow win at Doomben on Saturday.

Miss Sara, ridden by premier jockey Jeff Lloyd, jumped straight to the front before going on to down Mystic Mist by a neck in the QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1350m).

Craiglea Rubble fought on strongly for third.

Ross admitted he was surprised Lloyd elected to lead on Miss Sara after she was ridden back in the field in her previous five appearances.

“I was very surprised when Jeff took her to the front but that’s why he’s the number one rider,” Ross said.

Miss Sara’s win continued Ross’s great run of late and was his fourth winner from his past six starters.

Ross paid only $12,000 for the daughter of Mahisra at last year’s Magic Millions March sales and she had now earned more than $95,000 in prizemoney and bonuses.

“I got her for $12,000 only 12 months ago but I couldn’t sell all the shares in her originally,” he said.

“But I’m happy now as I kept a share for myself.

“The Jewel is worth a lot of money but it’s only 1200 metres and she wants further so I’ll find another suitable race for her in two weeks.”

Earlier Murwillumbah’s Darryl McCabe renewed his training career on a winning note when tough stayer Morendi was successful in the Sky Thoroughbred Central Open Handicap (2200m).

Jockey Michael Cahill timed his run to perfection to snatch victory in the last stride by a short half head over tearaway leader, Xebec with Irish Optimism, third, a further 2-1/4 lengths away.

Morendi was having his first start for McCabe who took over training the five-year-old from fellow Murwillumbah trainer Darren Graham who is currently serving a four-month suspension.

McCabe formerly trained at Orange in NSW but has worked as a truck driver for the past six years for Matt Dunn.

Morendi’s win was only his 10th from 37 starts since owner Ken Lawson bought him at a Patinack Farm dispersal sale when he was two.

Morendi campaigned in Brisbane during last year’s winter carnival but failed to measure up to the bigger races in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup and Group 3 races in the Chairman’s Handicap, Premier’s Cup and Tattersall’s Cup.

Racing Queensland webnews      March 10