Alex Malliff has eye on winter carnival

By Glenn Davis

Mareeba trainer Alex Malliff will have one eye on the Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival and another on the big smoke in Brisbane when he launches a two-pronged attack in the Open Handicap at Townsville on Thursday.

Malliff has given punters an early lead by favouring Devil Kick over her stablemate Love On Sunday in the 1300 metre event.

Devil Kick is returning after an injury enforced break and will be having her first start since finishing fifth in her stable debut in the North Queensland Cup at Townsville in June of last year.

“I’d have to favour Devil Kick in this race as Love On Sunday is probably looking for further,” Malliff said.

“Devil Kick pulled up sore in her first run for me last year so we just gave her plenty of time out to recover.

“She had a bit of a bubble in one of her tendons but it was only minor and she’s fine now.

“She’s been working really well and is flying and she’ll take a lot of beating when she gets out to a mile.”

Malliff believes Devil Kick, who was formerly trained by Kerrod Smyth, can develop into a Cups horse during the Northern Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.

“I think the Cairns Cup is on the horizon for her but in the meantime, we’ll set her for some other Cup races like the Mount Garnet Cup, which is coming up shortly,” Malliff said.

Malliff hasn’t ruled out aiming Love On Sunday for a second bite at the Country Cups Challenge Final in Brisbane if the seven-year-old can rediscover his best form.

Love On Sunday beat two home behind the Mark Dale-trained Inching Closer in a 1250 metre Benchmark 75 Handicap at Cairns on February 15.

“It was a nice run last time but it was way too short for him,” Malliff said.

“I was happy with the run after he had an ordinary preparation last campaign.

“If he can recapture his old form there’s no reason why we can’t look at the Country Cups Challenge in Brisbane in the winter.”

Love On Sunday didn’t disappoint Malliff in the 2023 feature when he finished eighth to the Olivia Cairns-trained Fire King.

Malliff was a former plumber with half a dozen in work before turning to training full-time a year ago and now has 20 horses in work.