Wallace looks to Dalby Newmarket

By Glenn Davis

Toowoomba trainer Paul Wallace concedes he could be off target when he has a throw at the stumps with Flank Speed in the Dalby Newmarket on Saturday.

Wallace, who once sold John Deere trucks for a living, is looking to the future with Flank Speed when the five-year-old steps up to 1400 metres for the first time in her 23-start career.

Flank Speed is in a purple patch of form but missed completing a hat-trick of wins when third in an 870 metre Benchmark race at Toowoomba on March 1.

A daughter of the UK-bred Power, Flank Speed is regarded as a short course specialist with seven wins to her credit.

However, Wallace hopes to have bigger fish to fry with Flank Speed during the Queensland Racing Carnival when he aims her for the Battle Of The Bush Final.

“I don’t know if she can run 1400 metres but I need to run her so she can qualify for the Battle Of The Bush Final later this year,” Wallace said.

“She’s run in four country races so far but the rules have changed and we need to run in six country races to qualify this year.

“I’d rather get her qualified now and then try to win a qualifying race along the way than wait later in the year.

“I’ve still got heaps of time and the Battle Of The Bush is over 1200 metres.”

Wallace’s uncertainty with Flank Speed isn’t eased by her pedigree.

Her mother, Wicked Temptation, won only two races in her 21-start career and never won past 1200 metres although she did place as a two-year-old over 1400 metres.

Wallace tried to win the Dalby Newmarket once previously when Ned’s Gully finished second in last year’s event.

“The form out of this race last year was very good as Ned’s Gully went on to win in town,” Wallace said.

“I admit I’m not sure how Flank Speed will handle the trip so it’ll be interesting.

“She likes to lead and she might go too fast, so it’ll depend on who takes her on.

“I scratched her from Toowoomba after she drew poorly to run in this and she carried 61.5kgs in her last run when she finished third.

“She had to drop back with her big weight that time but she came home strongly and hit the line well.”