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New bush racing sensation in the making

8 March 2021

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Photo credit: Peter Roy

By Jordan Gerrans 

Another bush racing sensation might just be brewing in north Queensland after the full brother of cult hero Paniagua made an impressive race day debut on Saturday.

Paniagua captured the attention of the Queensland racing industry in 2020, winning eight straight races, including the Cairns Cup and the Country Cups Challenge Final at Doomben in December.500-8328.jpg

The similarities between Danni’s Ruler (pictured) and Paniagua are uncanny.

They are both by Tycoon Ruler from Danni Sharleen, started their careers with Michael Frappell at Toowoomba before being sold to Mareeba trainer Alex Malliff and his ownership group.

As Paniagua did, Danni’s Ruler broke his maiden status at Atherton Turf Club on the non-TAB circuit.

Experienced Townsville jockey Bonnie Thomson has won on Paniagua and she partnered the encouraging debutant on Saturday.

Mareeba trainer Malliff thinks Danni’s Ruler has plenty of upside.

“He is good, very good and took it all in his stride on Saturday,” Malliff said.

“Bonnie came back glowing and gave her the impression that he might become a Battle of the Bush type of horse.

“He is very, very smart.”

Race-4-Paniagua-T1DX9290-jpg.JPGPaniagua was famously purchased for just $600 and has gone on to win over $300,000 in prize money, including $71,300 in QTIS bonuses.

While the Malliff team had to pay a little more for his brother, he has already paid for himself by winning the QTIS Maiden Plate (1000m) on Saturday.

Malliff and his loyal team of owners found Paniagua (pictured) online, but he got a little bit of help with this purchase.

“Mick Frappell actually rang my wife Kellie and said he was going in the auction if we wanted to have a look at him,” Malliff said.

“We certainly did.

“I was not going to let anyone else get him, that is for sure.

“I will keep buying them if he keeps wanting to sell them.”

As well as Paniagua and Danni’s Ruler, Malliff also trained Terrasaurus – another full brother to the duo, who won four races from 15 career starts.

When comparing them all, the plumber by trade says Danni’s Ruler is a mix of the two, he is not as tall as Paniagua but is certainly stronger.

He does not expect Danni’s Ruler to stay like Paniagua does, thinking he will get out to 1400m at best, while Paniagua has won up to 2100m.

“He is a really strong horse and just a lovely type,” he said.

Looking ahead, Malliff is weighing up the options for Danni’s Ruler.

He may go towards a TAB race at Townsville or Cairns in the coming weeks or remain on the bush circuit for one more start and knock over a Class B Handicap first.501-6532.jpg

Down the line, a crack at the Battle of the Bush later this year might also be an option.

On Paniagua, the now four-year-old bay gelding had two metropolitan starts for Beaudesert trainer Glen Baker following the Country Cups Challenge Final.

He is now back in the north with Malliff and is likely to resume his 2021 campaign in around a months’ time, set to head towards the north Queensland Cup races, starting in Rockhampton and making his way up the coast.

Paniagua