Ross steers Byrne in right direction

Wednesday 2 April 2014, 2:58pm

Top jockey Jim Byrne has trainer Les Ross to thank for his midweek victory aboard two-year-old Despina at Doomben.

Despina ($13) stormed home to beat Ashgrovian ($16) by a long neck with a short neck to Balkan Bambino ($9) in the SkyRacing.tv Plate (1030m).

Ross was quick to point out that Byrne had wanted to ride Despina's stablemate Doom City Dragon who started at $3.50 and was unplaced in the race.

"I told Jim to ride Despina and be done with it. He can thank me later," Ross said.

Despina finished fourth on debut at Kilcoy last month but Ross explained she received bad interference in the run and he felt she should have won.

The filly was bred by the trainer's long-time client Malcolm Gray who has raced other handy horses including five-time city winner Prend.

Meanwhile, filly Interlude carried one of Queensland's best known set of colours to victory in the Sequalo @ Lyndhurst Plate (1030m).

Interlude is raced by Kevin O'Brien and his wife Tanith whose orange and emerald green silks have also been sported by Group One winners Gold Edition and Ice Chariot.

The O'Briens have reduced their racing stock in recent times but now own Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm in Victoria which is run by their son James.

Interlude - fittingly a daughter of Group One-producing sire Sequalo who featured in Wednesday's race name - added to her broodmare value with her city win.

She also continued the recent good run of apprentice Ruby Ride who has notched winners at the past three city meetings.

– AAP

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