Four-year-old The Zeebac can complete a meteoric rise this campaign and start the new year with a win in the Listed Bagot Handicap at Flemington.Eligible for class one races at the start of his preparation, the son of Rock Of Gibraltar emerged as a genuine stayer when he beat Ballarat Cup winner Itstheone in the Briseis Gold Cup (2255m) at Geelong on December 3.Prepared by Team Hawkes, The Zeebac has always promised to deliver a good race and last autumn contested the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) bu

Four-year-old The Zeebac can complete a meteoric rise this campaign and start the new year with a win in the Listed Bagot Handicap at Flemington.

Eligible for class one races at the start of his preparation, the son of Rock Of Gibraltar emerged as a genuine stayer when he beat Ballarat Cup winner Itstheone in the Briseis Gold Cup (2255m) at Geelong on December 3.

Prepared by Team Hawkes, The Zeebac has always promised to deliver a good race and last autumn contested the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) but has been a source of frustration for his connections with his two wins in 17 starts accompanied by seven second placings.

The most recent was last start in the Comic Court Handicap (2500m) at Flemington won by Bagot topweight Saddler's Story who meets The Zeebac four kilos worse for beating him two lengths.

"He (The Zeebac) is in the right spot at the right time," Wayne Hawkes said.

"We knew this race was there for him but he needed to win a race to get up in the ratings a bit.

"He was running seconds and thirds in everything.

"He just couldn't crack it for a win until the Briseis Cup but now he is a horse going somewhere and this is a nice race for him."

He said the 2800 metres shouldn't be an issue for The Zeebac and that being an on-pace runner he makes his own luck in his races.

"He can lead if he has to," Hawkes said.

The Zeebac tried to lead all the way in the Rosehill Guineas but the outside gate worked against him when it came to finishing the race off and he was beaten six lengths.

Hawkes said the Bagot would The Zeebac's last run before a spell but the future looked bright.

He said The Zeebac was improving with age and expected that his next campaign would be better again.

"He hasn't got the turn of foot to be a Caulfield Cup horse but he could be a nice handicapper and if he runs a distance it opens a lot of doors for you," Hawkes said.

Trainer Robert Smerdon said Saddler's Story had paid the penalty for winning with a four-kilogram weight rise without the option of the two-kilo claim he enjoyed last start when ridden by apprentice Jason Maskiell.

Mark Zahra has the ride on Friday.

"Being topweight with 59kg is a bit of a test but the horse is fit and well and he has trained on," Smerdon said.

"His form over ground is really good and he has to be considered a big show again."