Trainer Pat Duff is pressing ahead with plans to send Steel Zip interstate for next month's Group Three Newmarket Handicap at Newcastle.Duff was far from disappointed with Steel Zip's beaten performance when runner-up to Lucky Luna in the Schaefer Store Open Handicap (1600m) at Doomben on Saturday."The winner was just too good on the day and they ran good time," Duff said."It was his first start over 1600 metres this campaign and he'll improve a lot from the run."I'm pushing on to the Newmarket

Trainer Pat Duff is pressing ahead with plans to send Steel Zip interstate for next month's Group Three Newmarket Handicap at Newcastle.

Duff was far from disappointed with Steel Zip's beaten performance when runner-up to Lucky Luna in the Schaefer Store Open Handicap (1600m) at Doomben on Saturday.

"The winner was just too good on the day and they ran good time," Duff said.

"It was his first start over 1600 metres this campaign and he'll improve a lot from the run.

"I'm pushing on to the Newmarket and he won't get anywhere near the 57 kilos he had on Saturday."

Duff has been concerned Steel Zip is beginning to creep up in the weights and earmarked the 1400m feature at Newcastle on March 21 for the four-year-old to test his Brisbane winter carnival claims.

"I'd like to get him ready for the winter carnival races and I'd like to think he'd be a chance in the Stradbroke," Duff said.

"I wasn't disappointed with his run behind Lucky Luna who probably was a little fitter and has been racing well."

Steel Zip returned to his best form at his previous start with an impressive victory in the Listed Sunshine Coast Cup (1400m) at Caloundra on February 5.

Before that run Steel Zip finished a creditable fourth to Spirit Of Boom in last month's Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast.

Steel Zip's only other start over 1600 metres was in last year's Listed Sunshine Coast Guineas when he finished 10th to Shenzhou Steed on a slow track .

"That day he had barrier one and it was a bog track," Duff said.

"The inside was the last place you wanted to be."

Jockey Brad Stewart supported the trainer's decision to target the Newmarket.

"It was a good run and the claim the winner had probably was the difference," Stewart said.

Lucky Luna was ridden by apprentice Matt McGuren, who rode his first Saturday metropolitan winner aboard the same horse at Doomben on February 4.

The NSW country apprentice is indentured to Grafton trainer Alan Ryan but is currently on loan to Taree trainer Ross Stitt.