Pat Duff has lowered his sights with veteran Steel Zip
Trainer Pat Duff has taken some advice from premier Brisbane jockey Jeff Lloyd and lowered his sights with veteran Steel Zip in the final stages of the gelding’s career.
A rising 10-year-old, Steel Zip will tackle Saturday’s Spring Racing @BRC Open Hcp (1350m) at Doomben which will be his 84th race start.
Duff is hoping Steel Zip, who has earned $946,000, can reach the million dollar milestone before he is retired.
Steel Zip has started in more than 50 stakes races with his past three runs in Listed class.
“Jeff rode him for me in the Listed Ramornie Handicap at his last start and they did a pretty good job to finish up in seventh place,” Duff said.
“Considering the winner ran a course record for 1200 metres my old bloke was far from disgraced finishing just over three lengths back.
“But Jeff suggested I drop him back in grade and tackle one of these 1350 metre Saturday handicap races. So I followed his advice and here we are.”
Brad Stewart who has won four races on Steel Zip is back in the saddle.
“Jeff took the ride on Savoureux but Brad is riding as well as anybody and he knows Steel Zip who is tricky to ride these days,” Duff said.
“He isn’t getting any younger and I am not going to push him unless he still shows me he likes to run.
“At this stage he will race on and who knows he might get to $1 million but I won’t be risking him just to do that,” Duff said.
“The depth of the races drop away after the winter and that is his go now. He owes us nothing.”
