Trainer Pat Duff has been thrilled with the condition of stable star Steel Zip through recent weeks and is hopeful the return of Brad Stewart to the saddle on Tuesday will also see a return to winning form for the veteran in the Listed Sunshine Coast Cup (1400m).
Steel Zip is primed for a big run in Tuesday’s Listed Sunshine Coast Cup. Photo: Daniel Costello
Steel Zip has been a strong and consistent performer for Duff through a long and busy racing career; posting an impressive eleven wins and eighteen minors across a total of sixty-nine competitive starts.
Returning after a brief spell for success in the Listed Keith Noud Quality (1200m) on November 14th, the Canadian Silver gelding suffered minor injuries when tenth in the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m) before resumed for an impressive third behind Buffering in the Magic Millions Plate (1300m) on the Gold Coast on January 9th.
Duff is thrilled to have confirmed Stewart for the ride on Steel Zip in the 2016 Sunshine Coast Cup and is confident the proven combination can herald black type success once more.
“Brad knows him well and actually won the Sunshine Coast Cup on Steel Zip in 2012,” Duff told AAP.
“So their association goes back a good while.
“We have done our usual with Steel Zip since his good third to Buffering in the Magic Millions Plate. He has had plenty of beach work and should be fit enough for the 1400 metres.
“A win in the Cup would take him within sight of the million mark. He has been such an honest horse for so long I would love him to join the millionaire’s club.”
Steel Zip was a typically strong performer for Duff through his entire 2015 campaign; finishing outside the first three only once through a total of eight starts from June through to September.
Placing second in each of the Race Zone Racing Supplies Handicap (1000m) and Rockhampton Newmarket Handicap (1300m) upon resuming, Steel Zip continued to impress in winning each of the Pain Management Centre Handicap (1350m), Property Service Handicap (1350m) and Canadian Club Melbourne Cup BM95 (1350m) through August and September.
Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best 2016 Sunshine Coast Cup odds, for which Steel Zip is currently rated a $9 chance for success.
