Trainer Pat Duff has more than one reason to hope his ageless galloper Steel Zip can win the first of the summer stakes races at Doomben.
Steel Zip, who was the last horse raced by Duff’s late wife Dina, will run in Saturday’s Listed Keith Noud Quality (1200m).
The stable favourite, who cost just $13,000 and has earned $721,000, is now raced by the trainer’s children and a long time stable client Robert Chang.
“He won the Keith Noud when it was run at Eagle Farm in 2012 and it was an emotional win because Dina had died only a few weeks before,” Duff said.
“She really loved him and had picked him out as a yearling.
“Steel Zip has had one other go at the Keith Noud running fifth in 2013. I would love to win it again for Dina.”
Although he is now an eight-year-old, Steel Zip has been in career-best form and has won three of his past four starts, his latest carrying 60kg on September 19.
Duff had been considering taking Steel Zip to Sydney but instead decided to freshen him up for the Brisbane summer.
“He loves the water and I think the 1200 metres will suit him better at this stage of his preparation,” Duff said.
“Also I think there will be some of the better grade horses in the Keith Noud and that should see him get back down in the weights.”
Jeff Lloyd has ridden Steel Zip for his past three wins and will retain the mount on Saturday.
There were 18 entries taken for the Keith Noud on Monday including well-performed Sydney sprinter That’s A Good Idea and 2014 Queensland Oaks winner Tinto.
