Queensland’s racing restrictions have had an upside for veteran Group One-winning trainer John Wallace.
Gold Coast-based Wallace has picked up handy two-year-old Mishani Rebel after the restrictions were brought in this week.
Mishani Rebel was trained at Eagle Farm by Les Ross who has a large team for the gelding’s owner Mick Crooks.
The youngster will have his first start for Wallace in the Two-Year-Old (900m) at the Gold Coast on Friday.
Under new rules, southeast Queensland is broken into two regions and trainers can only run horses in their zone.
Wallace can run his horses at the Gold Coast, Ipswich and Toowoomba while Ross is restricted to Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
“Basically after looking at likely upcoming programmes Mishani Rebel is better placed around the Gold Coast than Brisbane,” Wallace said.
“He isn’t very big but he was in good order when Les sent him here last week.
“Mishani Rebel has won at the track and distance and we have claimed on him.”
Gold Coast-based apprentice Nathan Fazackerley, who claims 3kg, has been building up his profile in city racing in recent weeks.
“He will ride Mishani Rebel and this is a chance to raise his profile,” Wallace said.
Wallace is best remembered as the trainer of Melbourne Cup placegetter Oompala, but he has had many other top horses including Shoot Out (Randwick Guineas, Australian Derby) and Mother Of Pearl (Queensland Oaks).
“Time gets away but I am happy with a small team these days and it is good to get some handy horses,” Wallace said.
