Pukekohe trainer Nigel Tiley is hoping for an improved performance from The Ice Knight when he tackles the Carlton Mid Benchmark 65 (1350m) at Ipswich on Wednesday.

In a three-start campaign in Queensland, The Ice Knight’s best performance was a second placing at the Sunshine Coast, book-ended by lackluster efforts at Doomben and the Gold Coast.

“He’s been disappointing so far in Queensland,” Tiley said. 

“I’ve just tried a few different things with him. I’ve taken the tongue-tie and blinkers off him and I am just hoping that he runs a good race tomorrow.

“It’s probably a hard task. He’s got 59kgs and he’s only a three-year-old against the older horses, but I can’t fault him, he looks great.”

Tiley said tomorrow’s performance would determine whether the son of Iffraaj continued his campaign in the sunshine state.

“It would be nice to think we could have a crack at the Sunshine Coast Guineas, but we will just play it by ear and see how we go.”

Kiwi hoop Mark du Plessis will take the ride tomorrow.