By Glenn Davis
Beaudesert trainer Di Murphy claimed her second north Queensland country feature in a month when former Godolphin sprinter Peacock won the Newmarket Handicap at Cannon Park in Cairns on Saturday.
The five-year-old previously claimed the Newmarket Handicap at Mackay on July 6.
Ridden by regular jockey Justin Stanley, Peacock sat in behind the fast pace before eventually wearing down early leader Executed to score by a head with Caloundra sprinter Divine Service flashing home late for third, only a half head away.
Murphy, who had no luck with her sole Doomben runner Glen Ord, is only in her seventh season as a trainer after learning the ropes working for New Zealand trainers Roger James, Gary Stewart and Kaye Tinsley.
She also had two stints, one for six months and another for a year, riding work in Japan.
“It’s a great result to get two country features so quick,” Murphy said.
“He’s one tough horse and he’ll stay on up here now for more of the carnivals.
“I knew the way he was travelling halfway down the straight he’d pick up the leader.
“It was a great patient ride from Justin and we learned our lesson in the Cleveland Bay.”
Murphy was never worried about backing up Peacock after the five-year-old failed behind Grey Missile in the $100,000 Cleveland Bay Handicap in Townsville last week.
“He went forward in the Cleveland Bay hoping to lead and get to the fence but the race was run a bit upside down,” Murphy said.
“Justin (Stanley) thought he was still going to be in the finish at the top of the straight but he just weakened late.”
Peacock was an $80,000 buy at a Magic Millions tried horse sale after winning at Sandown in May.
Meanwhile the old firm of trainer Janel Ryan and visiting jockey Robert Thompson combined again to win the IGA Cup (1900m) with former Brisbane sprinter, Binary.
Binary, who was previously trained by Kelly Schweida at Eagle Farm, sat in the box seat until hitting the front soon after straightening.
The seven-year-old quickly gapped his rivals and held off the fast finishing Aesop to score by two lengths with Crimson Halo third, only a long neck away.
Binary is part-owned by Gold Coast bookmaker Laurie Bricknell and has now won five of his 38 starts.
The seven-year-old was quick to break through after being sent north when successful in a Benchmark race at his second start for Ryan in Cairns on July 17.
Newcastle-based Thompson is a regular visitor to the north Queensland country circuit each year.
American-born Ryan arrived in Queensland more than three decades ago and spent more than 11 years living in Cairns before moving to Tolga on the Atherton Tablelands.
Ryan has won many country Cups in the north including a Townsville Amateurs Cup and Cairns Cup.
Racing Queensland webnews August 4