Image courtesy of Michael McInally
The QTIS Jewel celebrated its sixth running on Saturday and has quickly become one of the biggest days on the Queensland racing calendar.
The race has a record of producing local stars with an honour roll that includes Boomsara (Spirit Of Boom), Kisukano (Bel Esprit) and The Odyssey.
The Odyssey | Standing at Telemon Thoroughbreds
The trio would go on to record success in the QTIS Jewel for 3-year-olds; however, they announced themselves on the scene by winning the 2-year-old feature.
The QTIS Jewel for 3-year-olds on Saturday was won by All That Pizzazz (Spirit Of Boom), trained by Tony Gollan; the gelding did not contest the QTIS Jewel for 2-year-olds during his juvenile season.
A genuine Queensland product, qualifying races for the QTIS Jewel are held at Townsville, Rockhampton, Mackay, Cairns and Brisbane.
All That Pizzazz | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
Trainer Les Ross caught up with TDN AusNZ to talk about the influence of the QTIS scheme and QTIS Jewel Raceday has had on his stable.
“This is certainly the biggest race I have won; the QTIS scheme is something I have been targeting for the last eight to 10 years, and I have been lucky enough to win the QTIS 2-year-old trainer premiership for the last three seasons consecutively.”
The recipe for success?
Ross is not one to talk up his accomplishments and quickly answers.
“Probably because I start the most 2-year-old runners; but this is by far and away the best year I have had and this is the pinnacle of our operation,” Ross said.
“Probably because I start the most 2-year-old runners; but this is by far and away the best year I have had and this is the pinnacle of our operation.” - Les Ross
As folks in racing and breeding would be all too aware, the game is full of luck and is a wonderful leveller. You can have 100 horses with the best pedigrees and conformation, but it does not guarantee success. Nothing is guaranteed in this game. When a special horse is unearthed, the feeling and appreciation is the same no matter your background and status.
When the 2-year-old filly Mishani Royale (Kobayashi) stepped out to the 1200-metre trip for the first time in her career, she took up the frontrunning role and held her rivals at bay, including stablemate Mishani Gangster (Kobayashi) and Spin Doctor (Trapeze Artist) 0.98l away in third.
Ross felt he had unearthed a special horse: “I have never had a good horse, I’ve had a lot of handy horses.she might be our best; all the form guys are saying she’s good.”
“I have never had a good horse, I’ve had a lot of handy horses. She (Mishani Royale) might be our best; all the form guys are saying she’s good.” - Les Ross
Never putting the cart before the horse, Ross remains pragmatic.
“I just don’t want to get too carried away, as our second horse (Mishani Gangster) wasn’t all that lucky and arguably could have won the race; I hope she’s as good as they say because it makes him a pretty handy horse too.”
Crooks' homebred Mishani Royale has won over $500,000 in prizemoney from five starts, winning four of those starts.
The filly is the second foal from the Your Song mare Girl In A Million. Crooks purchased Girl In A Million from the 2016 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale from the Element Hill draft for $15,000.
Racing under Mishani Enterprises Pty Ltd, the mare won five races for her owner before retiring to stud. Girl In A Million is a daughter of the Zeditiave mare Calming, a winner of the Listed Liz Davenport Classic; she was placed in three Listed races and ran fourth in the G2 Challenge S.
Les Ross with Mishani Royale | Image courtesy of Michael McInally
Furthermore, this is the family of War Artist (Orpen {USA}) who was crowned the Champion Older Male Sprinter in Germany in 2009 and won Group races in France, Germany, South Africa and the UAE.
The mare’s first season at stud Girl In A Million was sent to Domesday, and the product of that mating, Mishani Monroe, was unraced.
For her second season, the mare was sent the young Aquis Farms-based sire Kobayashi, a Listed-winning son of the Champion Sire I Am Invincible.
The product of this union was Mishani Royale!
Ross admits Crooks does all the breeding work; however, he was not shy to say he loves the Kobayashi breed after yesterday.
Kobayashi | Standing at Aquis Farm
“Mike was teamed up with Glenlogan Park until they shut down. He has since been heavily involved with Aquis, and they have been very good to us.
“A few years ago we took advantage of the $100,000 bonus Aquis awarded to the breeder of any progeny of The Mission that won a Saturday metropolitan 2-year-old race; I think we won two cheques and looks like they have found another nice stallion."
Ross is excited about the future and looking to discover his next 'handy horse'.
“Each year, we do things a bit differently, especially after I sold my stables; four days a week we drive out to Beaudesert to work about 30 yearlings; while my older horses are stabled in town.
“Each year, we do things a bit differently, especially after I sold my stables; four days a week we drive out to Beaudesert to work about 30 yearlings; while my older horses are stabled in town.” - Les Ross
“So next year should hopefully be better than this year; but each year we have continued to improve, especially when changed tact; we used to race BOBS horses and take them to Grafton and places like that, but if you weren’t winning it wasn’t paying the bills.
“I told Mike last night that maybe we can win the QTIS Jewel 3YO and the QTIS Jewel 2YO next year; who knows.”
The QTIS Jewel initiative and the QTIS scheme for most Queensland trainers and studmasters have been revolutionary and breathed life into an industry that needed it. Arguably, the Queensland racing and breeding industry has never been stronger.
Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association President Basil Nolan said: “The prizemoney on offer for Queensland-bred horses to race here in the Sunshine State is nothing short of outstanding and unmatched nationwide."
Basil Nolan Snr with his grandchildren: Basil, James, William and Lily | Image courtesy of Raheen Stud
“Queensland’s stallion ranks are as strong as ever presently.”
A QTIS-registered filly can win up to $85,600 for a standard Saturday race.
“It’s a great scheme; I wouldn’t train a horse that isn’t QTIS-registered.If your training horses in Queensland aren’t QTIS eligible, you are missing out,” Ross said.
