Steel Zip will be out to break a two-and-a-half month metropolitan drought for trainer Pat Duff in the Listed Sunshine Coast Guineas at Caloundra on Saturday.Duff's last metropolitan win was with Steel Zip when the son of Canadian Silver was successful in the Listed Queensland Day Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on April 16."I haven't had that many runners and bad barriers have ruined a lot of the chances we had," Duff said."Steel Zip was my last metropolitan winner and I'm hoping he can turn our lu

Steel Zip will be out to break a two-and-a-half month metropolitan drought for trainer Pat Duff in the Listed Sunshine Coast Guineas at Caloundra on Saturday.

Duff's last metropolitan win was with Steel Zip when the son of Canadian Silver was successful in the Listed Queensland Day Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on April 16.

"I haven't had that many runners and bad barriers have ruined a lot of the chances we had," Duff said.

"Steel Zip was my last metropolitan winner and I'm hoping he can turn our luck around tomorrow."

Duff's confidence of scoring another black-type win with Steel Zip, who has won on a heavy track, improved when the gelding drew barrier two.

At his previous start Steel Zip jumped from the outside barrier, 18, when fifth to Torio's Quest in the Group Two Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 11.

Steel Zip, ridden by Glen Colless, never got in closer than three wide and sat four deep for most of the journey before showing a ton of cheek to loom up to the leaders halfway down the straight.

However, his tough run told over the final stages when he faded to finish just over four lengths from Torio's Quest.

"It was a very good run and at least the run confirmed our hopes he can run 1600 metres," Duff said.

"Glen said he was surprised how the horse managed to sustain his run and finish as close as he did after covering so much ground.

"Only bad luck will beat him tomorrow."

Steel Zip has been a great money spinner, earning $175,500 in prizemoney for Duff's wife Di and Hong Kong businessman Richard Chang who paid $13,000 for him as a yearling.

"I liked the look of him at the Magic Millions sales but I couldn't get anyone interested in racing him," Duff said.

"Richard has been a long-time client of ours and has had horses with me for many years.

"He was in a horse called Feelin Dandy who I trained and it was coming to the end of its career so I asked if he wanted to race him in partnership with Di."

Duff is amazed at Steel Zip's constitution but has ordered a spell for the sprinter, win, lose or draw.

"He had his first race start back in November and this is still his first preparation," he said.

"He's trained on well since his last run but no matter what he's going for a spell after this.

"I've been threatening to spell him for a while now but he keeps racing too well."

Duff has pencilled in the Doomben Summer Series and the Magic millions Cup at the Gold Coast in January for Steel Zip next preparation.