Veteran New Zealand rider Grant Cooksley has introduced himself to Brisbane racing with a winning double at Eagle Farm.Cooksley won Saturday's Canadian Club Handicap (1800m) on the Pat Duff-trained Duel Show before scoring aboard Karanja for Beaudesert trainer Mark Palmer in the Yatala Pies Handicap (1200m).Cooksley has decided to relocate to Queensland but is undecided where he'll be based.Known as The Iceman in his heyday for his coolness under pressure, the 52-year-old has ridden extensively

Veteran New Zealand rider Grant Cooksley has introduced himself to Brisbane racing with a winning double at Eagle Farm.

Cooksley won Saturday's Canadian Club Handicap (1800m) on the Pat Duff-trained Duel Show before scoring aboard Karanja for Beaudesert trainer Mark Palmer in the Yatala Pies Handicap (1200m).

Cooksley has decided to relocate to Queensland but is undecided where he'll be based.

Known as The Iceman in his heyday for his coolness under pressure, the 52-year-old has ridden extensively in South East Asia as well as New Zealand and Australia.

He also rode briefly for the late Bruce McLachlan when the champion Queensland trainer was based at Thornhill Park.

"I rode for Bruce after Gavan Duffy's time and before Brian York joined him," Cooksley said.

Cooksley first considered leaving his homeland six months ago after speaking to several close friends.

"A few of my friends spoke to me about coming over six months ago," Cooksley said.

"I've decided to ride here from now on but I haven't decided where to base myself yet.

"I'm still enjoying riding and for the time being I'm just staying here with a friend."

In the 1990s Cooksley rode for Jack and Bob Ingham's Crown Lodge in Sydney but the relationship soured in the autumn of 1996 when he was replaced on champion Octagonal by Darren Beadman.

Cooksley then linked up with the Chinese financed Domeland operation and was aboard when Northern Drake gave them their biggest success in the 1999 Caulfield Stakes.

Fellow international jockey Jeff Lloyd is also set to join the Queensland riding ranks in May at the conclusion of his contract in Hong Kong.

The former South African, who spent a couple of seasons in Sydney before his Hong Kong stint, was due to finish there this month.

However, his term has been extended so he can help fill the vacancy in John Moore's stable left by the injured Darren Beadman who is expected to be out of action for two months.