Diane Murphy with a big team set for Warwick

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Diane Murphy is hoping to pick up travelling expenses for a New Zealand wedding when she saddles her biggest one day team at Warwick on Tuesday.

Murphy has 11 horses in work at Beaudesert and can’t recall saddling more than four horses at a single meeting during her 12-year training career.

“I’ve never had six starters at a meeting before but I might have had four one time,” Murphy said.

“I’m going to New Zealand for a week soon for my niece’s wedding at Cambridge and my husband is already over there for it.

“Hopefully, we can have a good day to pay for the trip.”

Murphy has high hopes with Scenic Rim in the Benchmark 60 Handicap over 1200 metres as well as Noah in the Maiden Handicap over 1350 metres and Isla’s Day in the Benchmark 60 Handicap over 1500 metres.

Scenic Rim was a bargain buy for only $8,000 for Murphy.

The six-year-old has been in Murphy’s stable for over two years before his previous owners sold him to the trainer after they considered he wasn’t measuring up.

Murphy will return from New Zealand to finalise possible plans with Scenic Rim to target the winter carnivals in Central and North Queensland later this year.

Scenic Rim was spelled over the summer and hasn’t raced since finishing third in a 1500 metre Benchmark race at Kilcoy in the middle of December.

“He won a barrier trial at Beaudesert last month and came through it very well,” Murphy said.

“He had a big weight and we didn’t claim when he ran at Kilcoy last time and the pattern of the race didn’t suit him.

“This time we’re claiming after we've booked apprentice Rob Thorburn and from his good barrier he’ll go very close.

“When I come back from New Zealand I’ll see how he’s going but I’m thinking of sending up him up north for the winter races.”

Murphy tasted success during the 2018 winter carnivals in Central and North Queensland with Peacock who claimed the Rockhampton and Cairns Newmarket’s that year.

“I think he’s as good as Peacock but he does need things to go his way in races,” Murphy said.

“Hopefully, Scenic Rim can win and I’m also confident Noah might crack his maiden after his Kilcoy placing last start as he’s looking for the extra trip.

“Isla’s Day ran a great race to finish second at Kilcoy last start and she should go pretty close to winning this time too.”