Country Cups Challenge qualifiers kick off across the state

By Glenn Davis

Mareeba trainer Alex Malliff begins his quest to gain two spots in the $200,000 Country Cups Challenge Final in December with a two-pronged attack at Atherton on Saturday.

Malliff will launch his bold bid for the 1600-metre final at Doomben with Love On Sunday and Devil Kick in the Atherton Cup which is a qualifying leg for the Country Cups Challenge Final on December 6.

Malliff can’t separate his pair but is confident one of them can give him his first Atherton Cup.

“I can’t separate them and I’ll be scratching my head right up to start time trying to choose between them,” Malliff said.

Eight-year-old Love On Sunday has been a goldmine for the former plumber winning more than $156,000 in prizemoney.

“He’s been a great buy after I got him for $5,000 at an Inglis online auction and he’s now won 10 races for us,” Malliff said.

Love On Sunday almost gave Malliff his first Atherton Cup three years ago when he finished second to the Janel Ryan-trained Fast Train.

“It was his first time over 2000 metres that year,” Malliff said.

“He’s older and a lot stronger now and he’s more of a Cups horse these days.”

Love On Sunday is coming off a last start second to his stablemate Devil Kick in the Einasleigh Cup over 1620 metres on September 13.

A son of Written Tycoon, Love On Sunday will line up for his 60th start in the Country Cups Challenge qualifier which has so far produced 10 wins and 16 placings.

“If he wins, he’ll head back to Brisbane for the Country Cups Challenge Final again,” Malliff said.

“He qualified for it last year and had every chance when he finished eighth.

“Whoever wins out of Devil Kick or Love On Sunday will go done for the final and I’ll find another qualifying race if neither make it this time.”

Six-year-old Devil Kick registered her first win in 13 starts since joining the Malliff stable in the Einasleigh Cup.

“If she puts her best foot forward, she’ll win,” Malliff said.

“She’s had a couple of setbacks lately so I had to avoid the winter carnival with her. It was nothing serious but she was never quite right.

“She wasn’t finishing off her races but she was strong to the line when she won last start.”

Meanwhile, Longreach will also host its annual Cup meeting on Saturday, with entertainment, relays, live music and fashions on the field headlining one of the state's iconic racedays. 

The Longreach Cup will take its place as the last race of the card - doubling as the Country Cups Challenge qualifier - with recent Birdsville Cup champion Testator Silens headlining the field of nine. 

Tango Fame, who was most recently trained in South East Queensland by Jack Bruce, also will be looking to continue his strong start to racing in the Queensland outback. 

"The Longreach Cup is one of the biggest social events each year for the region," Club President Andrew Watts said. 

"It's great having people attend from all over the state and to showcase our venue in all It's glory - it's something our committee is very proud of. 

"Country Cups Challenge has been a great initiative by RQ, and it's an honour to host the opening heat of the series."