Ross rising to the top

The rise and rise of Sydney-based harness racing trainer Cameron Ross continues as he continues to attract promising horses into his stable.

Ross has Ideal In Dreams (Warrawee Needy) heading towards Saturday night’s (Nov. 12) Group 1 New South Wales Breeders Challenge Blue final at Menangle after she finished a narrow second behind Captn Me there a fortnight ago in the major state final for three-year-old fillies.

After winning the Harness Breeders NSW Pink Diamond at the beginning of October, Ideal In Dreams proved that she was no one-trick pony throughout the Breeders Challenge, finishing second behind Madrid in both her heat and semi-final and then missing by a mere half neck in the $150,000 final.

The filly, who is raced by a large group of owners headed by Brendan Micallef and his BPM Bloodstock syndications is looking to go back-to-back in the Blue series having won the two-year-old edition when trained in the Riverina by David Druitt.

Ross believes his youngster is showing every indication that she has come through the series well and is bright-eyed and ready to give a great sight on Saturday night.

“I have her ready to go this week,” he said.

“She appears very sharp and her work since that Group 1 has been super.

“We can’t wait for Saturday night.

“Ideal In Dreams has drawn perfectly in gate two, and she should get the run we desire from there.

“BPM Bloodstock has been a good supporter of mine and it would be great if we could jag a big one for Brendan and his group of owners.”

Ross will be torn on Saturday night as he will have to watch his other star filly Steno (Sweet Lou) from afar when she takes her place in the semi-final of the Australasian Breeders Crown at Melton in Victoria.

She goes into the race as one of the favourites and will have the services of legendary reinsman Anthony Butt on the night.

“She travelled down to Victoria well, settled in, and is doing great by all reports,” said Ross.

“It is never an easy task having to travel to take on these top-class horses, especially when they are in their back yard.

“But Steno is definitely up to the task.”

For complete fields for Menangle Saturday, click here.

For complete fields for Melton Saturday, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW