Trainer Peter Balzen doubts Gold Coast three-year-old Break The Ice can make a winning comeback at Doomben ahead of his quest for the Group One Queensland Derby in June."I doubt he'll finish much better than midfield," Balzen said of the gelding's chances in Saturday's Listed Queensland Day Plate."It's only 1350 metres and it's way too short for him. I'll be happy if he runs midfield."He'll get his chance once he races past 1600 metres but I doubt you'll see him winning until he gets to 2000 met
Trainer Peter Balzen doubts Gold Coast three-year-old Break The Ice can make a winning comeback at Doomben ahead of his quest for the Group One Queensland Derby in June.
"I doubt he'll finish much better than midfield," Balzen said of the gelding's chances in Saturday's Listed Queensland Day Plate.
"It's only 1350 metres and it's way too short for him. I'll be happy if he runs midfield.
"He'll get his chance once he races past 1600 metres but I doubt you'll see him winning until he gets to 2000 metres."
Break The Ice, who is part-owned by Sydney radio personality Ray Hadley, has not started since scoring for the first time in the Starcraft Quality (2200m) at the Gold Coast in January.
The son of Stromberg Carlson was ridden by Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Scott Seamer who will again partner the gelding in his comeback.
"Scott won on him at the Gold Coast last start and he told us then to put him straight away for the Queensland Derby," Balzen said.
"I asked Scott this week if he wanted to get off him and take another ride but he wants to stick with him through to the Derby.
"His forte is staying but he's come back very good from his break and I'm very pleased with the way he's shaping up.
"I didn't bother giving him a barrier trial because he's a stayer and won't be suited in the sprints. I just want to get some miles into his legs between now and the Derby."
Balzen has never had a runner in the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) to be run at Eagle Farm on June 12 and is yet to win a race at the elite level.
His career highlight was winning the Group Two Tea Rose Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill with Premier Flight in 1984.
Break The Ice has already proven to be a bargain buy after he was bought for only $24,000 at the Magic Millions sales.
After only five starts, Break The Ice has notched up a win and a second to collect more than $68,000 in prizemoney.
Balzen recommended Break The Ice to Hadley as he was a fan of his dam, Almasiga, who won two of her six starts for Gai Waterhouse before her career ended abruptly.
"A friend of mine used to strap Almasiga and rode her in her work until she had a bleed," Balzen revealed.
"She never lived up to her potential after the bleed before she was sold to South Africa."
Balzen has pencilled in Break The Ice's Queensland Derby campaign and plans to start him every fortnight before the three-year-old feature.
"He'll have his next start in the Doomben Classic over 1600 metres in two weeks then the Rough Habit Plate in another fortnight," he said.
The Group Two Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Eagle Farm on May 29 will be his final lead-up to the Queensland Derby.