By Glenn Davis
Trainer Trinity Bannon is hopeful she can notch up another Newmarket Handicap when she launches a two-pronged attack in the 1300-metre feature at Mackay on Friday.
The dual-licenced Bannon has won two Mackay Newmarkets with Grand Emperor and Warwick Avenue as well as two Cairns Newmarkets.
This year she launches a bold bid for her third Mackay Newmarket victory with Brad – a Carl Spry mount – and Star Of O’Reilly, who will be ridden by in-form Brisbane jockey Nathan Day.
Bannon is reluctant to separate her pair and hopes they have a slight advantage over Rockhampton Newmarket winner Last Chance and runner-up Master Jamie.
“Both my horses have good stats at Mackay and both Last Chance and Master Jamie are on a seven-day back-up,” Bannon said.
“Hopefully, a couple of extra days off for my two runners will be to our advantage.”
Brad has four wins and two placings from six starts over 1300 metres at Mackay, while the gelding is yet to miss a place with seven wins and six placings from 13 starts at the venue.
The five-year-old is coming off a last start second to Star Of O’Reilly when both were dropping back in distance to 1100 metres at Mackay on July 3.