Two starts back she inflicted trainer Dar Lunn and the six-year-old with a second-placed finish when guiding Medal Afflique to victory in a photo finish in the Gulargambone Cup.

Then she rode Zoutenant to another second-placed finish, this result a half-length one at Narromine last time out.

The breakthrough came on Saturday, as the talented Peel and Zoutenant ($11) came home over the top of We Love Rugby ($4 equal favourite) and hung on to win the Central West McHappy Day Benchmark 66 Handicap (1400m).

“He’s been the bridesmaid for awhile,” Peel said.

“He’s very deserving of this win and I’m so grateful for Dar and the owners. They’re such lovely people so it’s great to get the win for them.”

It was another great win for Peel too, the Sydney-based Scone product landing a double on Saturday after a recent Gulargambone treble and victories at Narromine and Moree.

“Things are going really well and I’ve ridden just over 30 winners now,” she said.

“I’m still claiming 2kg in the country and that seems to be a great asset, I’m getting plenty of support and I’m very grateful for those owners and trainers who put me on.

“I’m happy to go anywhere for rides.”

Saturday’s win for Zoutenant was his fifth in 47 career starts but he is enjoying somewhat of a purple patch at the moment having scored two wins and six placings in his past 12 starts.

Few of those results were as tough as Saturday’s as Peel swept around the outside heading into the home straight before getting the better of We Love Rugby and Nordic Noir ($6) in the best finish of the day.

“I knew he’d keep boxing on and he’s such a tough, honest horse and he was never going to stop,” Peel said.

“He was so strong and held on.”