Musashi Of Mieko wins the Toowoomba Cup - photo (c) Daniel Costello
Trainer John Wallace returned to Toowoomba today to take out his fifth Cup with long shot Musashi Of Mieko.
Wallace moved to the Gold Coast many years ago but began his long training career at the top of the Range with a great deal of success.
Ridden by Wallace’s son Brad, Musashi Of Mieko came from the tail of the field to score running away in the $100,000 XXXX Toowoomba Cup (2100m).
Kenji Yoshida set up a cracking pace on topweight Poor Judge but was gone on the home turn when Contract Caterer and then The Clandy Man Can made their claims.
But the race changed complexion in a twinkling when Musashi Of Mieko appeared on the scene with Wallace timing his run perfectly on the $41 outsider.
“I thought the horse had a good hope,” John Wallace said.
Wallace was quick to praise Brad on his ride after he had instructed him to let Adam Best on Emoticon track him into the race.
“I told him to follow Adam Best. He tagged onto him, but he couldn’t go with him for a while, but I’m so proud of him because he has really battled lately.”
Musashi Of Mieko made it eight wins on the Toowoomba cushion track when he ran past Best on Emoticon ($5) with the favourite Contract Caterer ($3.80) winding up in third spot.
Musashi Of Mieko showed his liking for the cushion track with all but one of his ten wins on the artificial surface.
Apart from his eight wins in Toowoomba, the six year old also has a win on the Sunshine Coast cushion.
Even though Musashi Of Mieko was sent out at long odds, Brad Wallace still gave him a good chance.
“He’s been working well and jumping out of his skin,” Brad said.
“I had a look at the field this morning and it wasn’t really that strong and I wasn’t surprised he run a good race today.”
Wallace wasn’t that worried at the 1000m when he was a long way from the leaders and knew he would get home strongly.
“I know he can rattle home and he picks them up pretty quick. I wasn’t too worried but I knew we had to do a bit of work.”
Wallace hopes this win can his boost his career along after going through a slow patch in recent times.
