Jockey Steven King has overcome a severe bout of hay fever to boot home The Zeebac to win the Briseis Gold Cup in blustery conditions at Geelong.King was so unwell he declined post-race interviews after Thursday's 2255m feature which for the first time in its 15-year history was increased in distance from 1700m.Just six horses lined up in the $55,000 Cup and The Zeebac only took his place in the field after the deadline for acceptances was extended because of a lack of numbers on Tuesday."Really

Jockey Steven King has overcome a severe bout of hay fever to boot home The Zeebac to win the Briseis Gold Cup in blustery conditions at Geelong.

King was so unwell he declined post-race interviews after Thursday's 2255m feature which for the first time in its 15-year history was increased in distance from 1700m.

Just six horses lined up in the $55,000 Cup and The Zeebac only took his place in the field after the deadline for acceptances was extended because of a lack of numbers on Tuesday.

"Really this a bonus race for him," co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said.

"We didn't accept with him because he ran last Saturday at Moonee Valley but when they got a field of about five and sent a text message on Tuesday saying they were keeping the acceptances open we threw him in."

The Zeebac had been consistent until last Saturday when he was beaten nearly six lengths when finishing 11th of 14 at the Valley.

But Hawkes said the run was better than it looked and he was happy to back him up at Geelong where he has posted two wins and a second from four starts.

"We knew he was fit and it was actually a good run last weekend because he copped two checks," Hawkes said.

The Zeebac was guaranteed a clearer passage with the small Briseis Cup field and got a perfect trail behind the outsiders Split ($201) and Silk Wind ($51) who went out five lengths in front mid-race.

The tactics were always going to make it tough for last-start Ballarat Cup winner Itstheone ($2.60 eq fav) who was under pressure a long way from home.

Under his 59kg, he dropped out to last rounding the home but Damien Oliver got him going again in the straight and he just missed in a photo-finish with The Zeebac scoring by a short head.

Markus Maximus ($2.60 eq fav) finished third three-quarters of a length away.

Mark Kavanagh's assistant trainer Merv Harvey said Itstheone was gallant in defeat.

"The horse is going really well but the two leaders made him carry his weight and he was off the bit too far from home," he said.

While Team Hawkes has no grand plans for The Zeebac, the Kavanagh stable is considering a shot at the Hobart and Launceston Cups in February with Itstheone.

The Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington on New Year's Day is also an option, Harvey said.