Pat Duff has meticulously planned Steel Zip's summer campaign but acknowledges there is one important factor he can't control - the weather.

Brisbane has been sweltering through a typical summer with hot, humid days producing firm racing surfaces which aren't ideal for Steel Zip.

"Although he's won on a good track I really think his best form is in the dead to slow range and I'd be a lot more confident if we could get a bit of rain on Saturday," he said.

"When he ran in the Goldmarket last summer the track was very firm and he didn't really put in as well as he normally does."

Weather factor aside, Duff is pleased with Steel Zip's progress since he won the Keith Noud Quality (1200m) at Eagle Farm on November 24.

"I held back with him a little bit after his first-up run because I felt he would be going into this race nice and fresh," he said.

"This campaign I've purposely spaced his runs to have three lead up runs going into the Magic Millions at his fourth run back when he'll be at his peak.

"After Saturday he'll run in the Goldmarket at the Coast on New Year's day then the Magic Millions Cup."

Steel Zip has drawn ideally in barrier one for Saturday's Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m) at Doomben and will be ridden by Brad Stewart.

Stewart has elected to stick with the grey in preference to Startsmeup who he rode to a last stride win in the George Moore Stakes at Eagle Farm on December 1.

"Brad had his choice and was quite happy to stick with him because he's always had a liking for the horse," Duff said.

"He makes his own luck so he won't have to use him up and although there's not quite the speed there was in the Keith Noud, there should be enough to enable him to take up a forward position.

"Fortunately he's the type of horse you can click up to hold a spot and then put him to sleep."

The long-term goal for Steel Zip is next year's Stradbroke Handicap, a race Duff narrowly missed out on winning with Hard To Catch who was beaten a half head by Mr Baritone in 2008.