Alex Malliff drew first blood in the Rob Koch Memorial FNQ Up and Coming Stayers series for 2024 and the Mareeba trainer is keen to go on with it to honour his late mate.

Former country sensation Paniagua will come out of retirement to make a surprise return to racing at Townsville’s Cluden Park on Friday.

Mareeba trainer Alex Malliff is accustomed to travel both as a trainer and in his former profession as a plumber.

Mareeba trainer Alex Malliff is direct with his thinking behind chasing a second Country Cups Challenge Final crown later this year in Brisbane.

Love On Sunday has been a goldmine for former plumber Alex Malliff and will be out to give the Mareeba trainer his first win in the Atherton Cup in North Queensland on Saturday.