Astute Brisbane trainer David Murphy has warned punters his stable star Deacon will not be at his peak when he returns to racing at Doomben on Saturday.Murphy said Deacon missed some vital lead-up work when trials were cancelled at Deagon two weeks ago and the horse was not fully wound up for his return in the $50,000 Zig Zag Foundation Handicap (1350m)."He's a big gross horse and he missed that trial which would have tightened him up nicely," Murphy said."He's really good in himself and I'm hap

Astute Brisbane trainer David Murphy has warned punters his stable star Deacon will not be at his peak when he returns to racing at Doomben on Saturday.

Murphy said Deacon missed some vital lead-up work when trials were cancelled at Deagon two weeks ago and the horse was not fully wound up for his return in the $50,000 Zig Zag Foundation Handicap (1350m).

"He's a big gross horse and he missed that trial which would have tightened him up nicely," Murphy said.

"He's really good in himself and I'm happy with how he's going but he will take a lot of benefit out of the run on Saturday.

"He'll run a good race but he's on his way to bigger things and I've purposefully left some improvement in him."

Murphy gave Deacon three weeks in the spelling paddock after the Zabeel gelding scored over 1800m at Eagle Farm on August 8 with a view to aiming the six-year-old at the $75,000 Recognition Stakes (1600m) on November 28.

"That's still the plan and if he can win the Recognition I'll take him to Sydney for the Villiers Handicap at Randwick on December 19," Murphy said.

"He wants further than the 1350 metres on Saturday but I'm hoping there'll be plenty of pace on so he can get back and relax and then finish the race off strongly."

Deacon has been asked to carry 53kg in his comeback and Murphy has opted to utilise the three-kilo allowance of in-form apprentice Michael Hellyer.

Deacon can overrace and become headstrong in slowly-run races but Murphy is confident some early speed will help Hellyer handle the big-striding galloper.

"He probably won't be able to keep up early over the shorter trip and I'm not worrying about him pulling," Murphy said.

Stathi Katsidis and Larry Cassidy developed successful associations with Deacon last preparation and Brad Pengelly has also ridden the horse with success but Murphy said he was still undecided who would partner the horse in the Recognition Stakes.