Far from being disappointed , trainer Pat Duff and jockey Nathan day are encouraged by Steel Zip's performance in a $1 million race at the Gold Coast.

The veteran sprinter showed there was still plenty of life left in his nine-year-old legs when beaten just over three lengths in the Magic Millions QTIS Sprint won by Madotti on Saturday.

Duff and Day believe it will be a different story when Steel Zip tackles many of his rivals from that race in the Sunshine Coast Sprint at Caloundra on January 28.

The Sunshine Coast race is the last feature of the summer carnival and Duff would love to win it after Steel Zip has had no luck in several recent runnings.

Duff said the hard track at the Gold Coast had not helped Steel Zip on Saturday.

"As it turned out he probably needed one more run. He should be at his top for the Sunshine Coast where the track is always softer," Duff said.

Day said he thought Steel Zip was going to win coming past the 600m because he had been going so well.

"But he started to felt his legs and I think the effort will have him cherry-ripe for Caloundra," Day said.

Steel Zip will line up for his 78th start on Saturday week as he closes in on $1 million prize money.