Donna Logan is happy to fend off criticism for her booking of top New Zealand jockey Lisa Cropp ahead of Australia's top riders for her smart filly Jazzella at Doomben in Brisbane tomorrow.
The Northland trainer has no concerns about Cropp's ability in Australia, and her mood wasfurther improved yesterday when Jazzella drew barrier three for tomorrow's listed A$150,000 ($170,000) Glenlogan Park Stakes (1350m) for fillies and mares.
Logan said Damien Oliver and Craig Williams had both chased the mount, leaving her and co-trainers Dean Logan and Chris Gibbs with an "agonising" decision, but there was a simple reason for keeping Cropp aboard.
"I want someone who knows the horse and can jump off and tell me if she didn't get the trip [1350m]," Logan said.
"I know some people in Australia don't rate Lisa on the strength of one ride [in last year's Cox Plate], and we've had a lot of success with Australian riders, but Lisa's more than capable of being competitive.
"We'll have every chance on Saturday."
Cropp, who holds a narrow lead over Opie Bosson in the New Zealand jockeys' premiership, hasn't ridden in Australia since the Cox Plate in Melbourne last October.
She attracted criticism for her ride on David Hayes' star filly Miss Finland who finished a luckless sixth.
Cropp has a perfect two-from-two record on Jazzella, including a gutsy last start victory in the group three Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa on April 28.
That stretched Jazzella's record to five wins from eight starts.
New Zealand-trained runners will contest all eight races at Doomben tomorrow.
Waikato trainer Mark Walker's filly Santagostino will chase back-to-back wins in her Queensland Oaks buildup in the group three A$175,000 Doomben Roses (2020m) while Gaze (Roger James) and Pentathon (John Wheeler) tackle stars Desert War and Reigning To Win at weight-for-age in the group one A$500,000 Doomben Cup (2020m).
