Wallace after overdue win with Cossie at Beaudesert

By Glenn Davis 

Cossie - a six-year-old mare with just four wins in a 45-start career - will attempt to give veteran Gold Coast trainer John Wallace an overdue win at Beaudesert on Thursday.

Cossie will step out for the second time this campaign in the TAB Class 4 Handicap over 1100 metres.

Cossie had her first start since March when she faded late to finish third in a Benchmark race over 1050 metres at Kilcoy on August 8.

“She just knocked up a bit in the last few strides at Kilcoy,” Wallace said.

“She looked like she was going to win but her big weight caught up with her.

“She’s a handy mare on her day and I think she’ll run very well at Beaudesert.”

Cossie – a Zac Lloyd mount - was bred by Wallace’s partner Jenna Poppitt who is a local Gold Coast vet.

The 75-year-old was feared by bookmakers around the country in his heyday and is best remembered as the trainer of 1994 Melbourne Cup placegetter, Oompala.

He also put the early polish on Shoot Out who won the Group 1 Randwick Guineas and Group 1 Australian Derby in 2010. 

Shoot Out later went on to claim two more Groups 1s in the George Main Stakes in 2012 and Chipping Norton in 2013 after being transferred to champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller. 

Wallace only has a small team of five horses in work and hasn’t won a race since Togz was successful at Murwillumbah in June.

That was his first winner since Richest was successful at the same track in November last year.

Wallace has beaten a series of health problems, recovering from two heart attacks but has no thoughts of retiring.

“I’ve had two hearts attacks and I’m full of stents but I’ve got no plans to retire,” he said.

“It’s what keeps me going and I enjoy it."