A Queensland winter campaign remains firmly on the agenda for star stayer Electrify despite his second placing at Ballarat on Wednesday night.

The Sandown Cup placegetter returned to the racetrack for the first time since finishing third in the Group 1 Sandown Cup, starting a well-supported favourite over 660 metres at Ballarat.

Electrify finished second at Ballarat on Wednesday night box four to Slick Nitro (2) in a time of 37.84 seconds. 

Trainer Greg Doyle was pleased with the performance despite the result.

“On face value the run was disappointing, but when you look at it closely, it was encouraging to see Electrify manoeuvre through the field and make decisions about where he wanted to go in the race,” Doyle said.

“Considering he hadn’t raced since the Sandown Cup, although he has been trialling, he’s pulled up terrific.”

Electrify will now head north to contest the rich Queensland Cup (710m) series at Q2 Parklands.

The heats are scheduled for Saturday, July 4, with the final to be run a week later.

After months of planning, Doyle said the family had decided to combine the campaign with a Queensland holiday.

“We thought we’d make the most of the opportunity and take the family up to Queensland at the same time as the series,” he said.

Doyle has rented a house for the trip and plans to build temporary kennels for Electrify and his travelling companion and sister, Stunner.

“We’ll drive up on Tuesday or Wednesday and let him settle in for the rest of the week. Hopefully we’ll be able to take him for a walk around the track before the heats, so he knows where he is.”

Before departing, Electrify will have one final hit-out over 500 metres at The Meadows.

“He’s used to plenty of street walking, so the plan is to keep him fresh with lots of walking leading into the heats.”

Regardless of how Electrify performs in Queensland, Doyle said the trip is about more than just racing.

“We’ll stay up there for the week and enjoy some time together with the family, including the kids and grandkids.”