The much-travelled Craiglea Cruz returns to the Gold Coast with a new trainer and a mission to avenge last year's unlucky fifth in the Bat Out of Hell.

Earlier in his career Craiglea Cruz was a Brisbane winner and was also placed at Randwick.

For his most recent campaign Craiglea Cruz was trained by his owner Steve Royes in Mt Isa and won there as well as Mackay and Townsville.

Royes was then keen to give Craiglea Cruz another crack at Saturday's short-course sprint over 900 metres.

He sent the gelding to Eagle Farm trainer Jon Walk, a former jockey, who is gradually building up a strong team in Brisbane.

Craiglea Cruz was caught deep on the track for the entire 2014 race.

"Apparently he should have nearly won the Bat Out of Hell last time. Steve was keen to give him another try and sent him down to me," Walk said.

"The horse is in great shape and drops in weight here. Jim Byrne has agreed to ride him and I would expect him to be competitive."

Craiglea Cruz has won 10 races and $325,000 prize money.

"It makes him very hard to place in the country areas and he will probably stay here. Although Steve likes to go to Darwin so he might end up there for their carnival," Walk said.

Meanwhile, Sydney apprentice Brodie Loy will ride Northern Rivers galloper Plateau Gold who will be attempting to win his third-straight Bat Out of Hell.