Racing: Logan chuffed with Zabeat's progress

SYDNEY - Donna Logan hasn't seen her Sydney Cup hope Zabeat looking better.

"He is usually a light bay, but he's almost black at the moment, he is so bright and well in his coat," the Ruakaka trainer said yesterday.

Zabeat flew from Auckland yesterday for his first assignment in Sydney, the A$200,000 ($240,000) group-two Chairman's Handicap at Randwick on Saturday.

Logan expects Zabeat to acquit himself well, but there's no doubt his major test will be the A$800,000 Sydney Cup over 3200m a week later.

"I would like to think he could be in the first five, but I know that he is a far better horse over two miles," she said.

"He will probably come out far better for having been in the Chairman's."

Logan said she and co-trainer Dean Logan decided to tackle the Sydney carnival after Zabeat's slashing second to Pentane in the Auckland Cup last month.

"He came out of Auckland so well we decided to push on for Sydney."

Hong Kong-based French jockey Oliver Doleuze, who rode him in the Cup at Ellerslie, is engaged for the Sydney Cup, but Queensland rider Michael Rodd has the mount in the Chairman's on Saturday.

Also in the Chairman's are promising Cambridge galloper Willy Smith and Three Chimneys from Levin.

Willy Smith has won four races from eight starts in New Zealand this season, stamping himself as a stayer of promise.

He was a battling fourth in the New Zealand St Leger last start, but trainer Mark Todd decided to press on with his plan to tackle the Chairman's.

Glen Boss has the ride, while Jay Ford is on Three Chimneys, who like Zabeat has the Sydney Cup as his target.

Three Chimneys pleased trainer David Haworth with his run for fifth in the Manion Cup at Rosehill two weeks ago.

Former New Zealand galloper Fooram, with Darren Beadman aboard, looms as the horse to beat in the Chairman's.

Orpington, who ran a close up fourth at Rosehill on Saturday after missing the start, is backing up in a A$70,000 welter at Randwick.

Craig Newitt rides him and though he has drawn barrier 12, he will come in three places if the four emergencies are scratched.

New Zealand-owned mare Glamour Puss will be on trial for a trip to Royal Ascot in England when she tackles the TJ Smith Stakes over 1200m.

* Congrats, the only New Zealand-trained horse to accept for Saturday's AJC Derby, is out of the race.

Congrats was due to fly to Sydney yesterday but those plans were scotched when a hoof problem failed to respond to treatment.

Joy Robinson, a spokeswoman for the Roger James stable, said it was a major disappointment for the owners, who had been looking forward to having a runner in the Derby.

- NZPA