Veteran galloper Steel Zip stunned his trainer Pat Duff with the ease of his win on a firm track at Doomben on Saturday.
Eight-year-old Steel Zip went past $600,000 in prize money when he scored by three lengths in the Brisbane Centre For Pain Management Handicap (1350m).
Duff, back at the races after a month in hospital with a broken hip, has a special attachment to Steel Zip.
“He was the last horse owned by my late wife Dina who died three years ago. So he is my sentimental favourite but he is also a lovely old horse around the stables,” Duff said.
“But he is a cunning old fella and I was genuinely worried today the track may have been too firm but that was probably the easiest of his wins.”
Steel Zip cost only $13,000 as a yearling and Duff couldn’t find anyone to race him.
“The family took most of him and a client named Richard Chang from Hong Kong took the rest,” Duff said.
Jockey Jeff Lloyd completed a winning double on Steel Zip and was impressed with the way the old gelding sprinted in the straight.
“He really let down in the straight when I asked for an effort,” he said.
Trainer Chris Anderson thanked jockey Glen Colless for getting him his first Saturday metropolitan winner when More Energy won the St Vincent’s Care Handicap (2020m).
Colless brought More Energy ($3.30) from second last through the field to score a 1-1/4 lengths win over Eagle Shaman ($21).
“He didn’t panic and that is the way to ride this horse – let him settle and ride him quietly until his final burst,” Anderson said.
More Energy is owned by Nathan Tinkler’s Patinack Farm syndicate and is by top sire Fastnet Rock out of the multiple Group-winning mare Perfect Promise.
“He is the only horse I have for Nathan at the moment but there are more coming. I have 35 horses on my books and things are starting to come together,” Anderson said.
Anderson believes More Energy can develop into top stayer.
