Veteran Steel Zip has earned himself his first interstate trip with another barnstorming win at Doomben on Saturday.
Eight-year-old Steel Zip ($7.50) made it three wins from his past four starts when he charged home to beat Chariot Of Gold ($8) by a neck in the Canadian Club Handicap (1350m).
Trainer Pat Duff said he feared Steel Zip had just about raced himself out of Brisbane.
“He had 60 kilos today but that isn’t the main problem. I have had horses such as Handsome Prince who were winning with 63 kilos on a 47-kilo minimum,” Duff said.
“But the distances in upcoming races have us snookered a bit. There is a 1400-metre race at Randwick in Sydney on October 10 and that is the race we will probably aim him at.”
Duff said Steel Zip had thrived on a training regime of beach work and a sand roll at the stable.
Meanwhile, the weather will decide if class galloper Teronado’s next start is in Brisbane or Sydney after he was well beaten on Saturday.
Teronado ($3.50), a Group One placegetter earlier in his career, was beaten almost five lengths into seventh place behind My Quilter ($13) in the Beach Party Raceday Handicap (1640m).
Jockey Jim Byrne reported that Teronado was never comfortable on the soft track and would not stretch out properly.
Syndicate head Steve Foster said Teronado would be nominated for a restricted-class race in Brisbane as well as the Craven Plate at Randwick on October 3.
“There is nothing wrong with him, he just didn’t handle the track. We will nominate him for the two races and wherever it is dry is where we will head,” Foster said.
Trainer Stewart Mackinnon was full of praise for apprentice Brooke Stower for her winning ride on My Quilter.
“She rated him perfectly in front and he was always going to be able to kick in the straight. The good thing about Brooke is that she can ride 51 kilos but is very strong,” Mackinnon said.
Former Sydney galloper Casual Choice won his first race since July last year to continue trainer Tony Gollan’s great start to the season.
Casual Choice was originally trained by Chris Waller but had been with Joe Pride until three weeks ago.
“He came to us in great order from Joe and he should be suited in better races here,” Gollan said.
