Historical Analysis of the Zipping Classic
While seen as somewhat of a consolation prize, the Zipping (Sandown) Classic does offer excellent prize money. At G2 level, it caters for many horses just below the Melbourne Cup, although some do back up.
Zipping did an amazing job winning FOUR straight runnings. Take a look at the last few Classic winners.
PROFILING THE RACE
o The old Sandown classic is a very good race for the favoured runners.
o Run at Caulfield in 2013.
o While some have come from wide barriers, it never hurts to draw inside in a staying race.
o Winners haven’t had to be dour stayers to win this. 2000m horses have been able to get a cushy run and win this.
o 6 of the last 10 winners have run in the Melbourne Cup.
o Last 10 Winners Most Prevalent Age of winner - All ages from 3 to 9.
o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner - $3.90
o Breakdown of winners - 6 geldings, 1 colt, 2 entires & 1 mare.
o Races that the winner ran in prior - Melbourne Cup (6), Cox Plate (1), Queen Elizabeth Stks (2), Mackinnon Stks (1).
RECENT WINNERS
Barrier: 5, Weight: 56.5kg, Gross Time: 2:30.09
Margin: 3.5L, Track: Good (4), Starters: 82nd: Almandin (59.0kg), 3rd: Big Duke (59.0kg)
Review: Lloyd Williams loves this race. He was loving it before it was renamed the Zipping Classic but even more so now. And this season of using these European three year olds just kept on getting better.
Rekindling won the Melbourne Cup and now this colt with top G1 Euro form won at WFA. Even being nipped shortly out of the gates three times by a rival didn’t harm him. This was a brilliant ride from Ben Melham. With a lure in front of him, he didn’t care it was there.
He took off at the 1000m mark and made the main dangers stay, coming back off their Cup runs. They did look dour and his turn of foot backing up from the Mackinnon was outstanding. It was too easy.
Barrier: 5, Weight: 57.0kg, Gross Time: 2:29.05
Margin: 0.1L, Track: Good (3), Starters: 82nd: Almoonqith (59.0kg), 3rd: Big Orange (59.0kg)
Review: Godolphin’s Spring surge was remarkable. They didn’t win the big ones but won nearly every other Cup. They were winning races with three different trainers on the day too.
This mare ran a belter in the Melbourne Cup staying on late from second last. Even in this race she gave some start away but had closed before being outsprinted.
However she picked up late and surged over the top. She never looked like winning until the final stride. They’ve learned which horses to send now.
Barrier: 4, Weight: 59.0kg, Gross Time: 2:29.10
Margin: 7L, Track: Good (3), Starters: 72nd: Tall Ship (59.0kg), 3rd: Do You Remember (57.0kg)
Review: What a great ride this was. Coming off the Melbourne Cup hasn’t been a bad lead up in recent years and given this year was run in a walking way, he wasn’t harmed backing off that.
Sitting back last, McDonald took off at the 1400m and had the lead within 400m. Once he rolled along, the others were in trouble and he pricked his ears before the turn.
By the 300m mark McDonald was posing for the print. Despite some disappointments in the race, WSTB finally got a deserved win in a prep which was good in all the big races.
