Wallace recalls Melbourne Cup days as he chases another city win with Cossie

By Glenn Davis

Melbourne Cup week always brings back fond memories for veteran trainer John Wallace.

The 76-year-old Wallace was feared by book makers around the country in his heyday and is remembered as the trainer of 1994 Melbourne Cup place getter, 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.

Almost three decades on from the Melbourne Cup tilt, Wallace is still training winners, albeit it with only a small team of horses at the Gold Coast.

His stable favourite, Cossie, will attempt to give him another city winner in the Benchmark 70 Handicap for fillies and mares at Doomben on Saturday.

Wallace has a small team of seven horses in work but Cossie has been the stable flag bearer.

Cossie is a seven-year-old mare who has started 70 times for nine wins and 23 placings.

The daughter of Top Echelon was bred by Wallace’s partner Gold Coast veterinarian doctor Jenna Poppitt.

Cossie is coming off a last start third to the Kevin Kemp-trained Five Oxford over the 1050 metre dash at Doomben on October 22.

“She had a wide draw that day and I reckon she would have won had she drawn better,” Wallace said.

“It was no fault of the jockey but she never saw the track that day.

“She’s going well and she won’t mind it if the track is wet as she handles wet or dry.

“I’m sure she’ll race well again as she’s been racing so well lately.”

Wallace has beaten a series of health problems and has made full recovery following four heart operations in recent years.

“I had another heart operation not long ago but I’m feeling fine now,” Wallace said.

“I’m full of stents and I’ve even got a balloon in now.”

Wallace shows no signs of slowing down and will be delighted if Cossie gives him another city winner.

“Cossie gave me my last metropolitan winner when she won at Ipswich last month,” he said.

“She’s been our stable star and she keeps the wolf from the door.”