Racing: Cummings pair at peak for Sydney Cup

Bart Cummings lost leading Sydney Cup hope Moatize to injury a few weeks ago but the master trainer still believes he has a strong hand in Dandaad and Joe Blow.

Moatize was favourite for the race when he was found to have a knee injury, leaving 2007 Caulfield Cup winner Master O'Reilly at the top of the market ahead of Fiumicino.

Dandaad is an A$11 chance and Joe Blow is at A$21 with the final field to be declared on Wednesday for Saturday's 3200m feature.

Both had their final lead-up runs in the Chairman's Handicap on Saturday with Dandaad sixth, two lengths from the winner Divine Rebel and Joe Blow 12th after pulling hard during the race.

Dandaad, winner of the Lavazza Long Black (2800m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day was posted wide throughout the Chairman's (2600m) after jumping from the outside gate.

"There's no worries about the Sydney Cup distance," Cummings said last night. "He was stuck five wide in the Chairman's and ran five miles."

Glen Boss will replace Craig Williams on Saturday.

Adelaide Cup winner Zavite has been removed from markets following his failure in Saturday's JRA Plate but trainer Anthony Cummings hasn't given up hope he can run.

Zavite was found to be sore across the back after the race but had improved considerably by yesterday.

He will receive chiropractic treatment over the next few days with the trainer also monitoring the weather with a wet track likely to sway him not to run Zavite.

Fiumicino will be ridden by jockey of the carnival Jim Cassidy for his long- time friend Nick Moraitis.

Darren Beadman was aboard the John Hawkes-trained Fiumicino when he won the BMW but was suspended for his Golden Slipper ride on the day.

Cassidy has foregone the ride on dual Group One winner Vision And Power should he start in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes to stick with AJC Australian Derby winner Roman Emperor.

"I'm committed to Roman Emperor and I'm looking at the bigger picture and the Melbourne Cup," he said.

The Cummings-trained colt was one of 20 entries taken yesterday for the Queen Elizabeth (2000m), including last year's surprise winner Sarrera.

Whobegotyou, an unlucky third in Saturday's Doncaster Mile, will back up in the Queen Elizabeth while a decision on Derby placegetter Predatory Price will be made later in the week.

- AAP