Sandown Tips: Zipping Classic Preview 2018

Distance	2400m
Grade	Group 2
Track Rating	Good 4
Prizemoney	$300,000
Class	WFA (no maidens)
2017 winner	The Taj Mahal ($5)

The Zipping Classic allows those who have not achieved their main Spring targets, one last chance to secure stakes glory over a genuine staying trip.

This race always produces a spectacle, with several Melbourne Cup runners usually backing up to face the starter again.

The step back in distance can often be key, as they are rock hard fit and can grind away the entire trip.

For this year's edition, I have settled on one who missed the Flemington carnival and arrives here following a vicious betting move last start at Moonee Valley. 

 

 

 Sandown Track Traits

Sandown is currently rated a Good 4 with the rail in the true positon the entire circuit.

The Sandown surface is varied at times, occasionally presenting an on-pace bias. However with limited racing over the past few months, the track should give most speed profiles their chance.

A close watch is advised early, to determine any track bias. 

 

 Racing Market Movers

All runners remain steady in early betting. 

 

 Key Runners

#1 Who Shot Thebarman $11

Grand old 10yo campaigner who won this race back in 2015.

This time in, he's mostly been finishing midfield without threatening, with a last start failure in the Melbourne Cup when finishing 17 of 24.

Just feel he is well below his best now and would have to produce something exceptional to trouble these.

This old boy has had enough. No. 

 

#2 Ventura Storm $6

Was backed off the map in betting two starts back and won accordingly when he came home over the top in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup.

He was slightly disappointing in the Melbourne Cup last start when finishing midfield 10 of 24.

That was against the top-liners and back to this grade with a drop in distance definitely suits.

He just needs the pace on to be getting home hard, and with any tempo present looks a good bet at the current $7.00 in early markets. Yes. 

 

#3 Libran $6.50

Keeps teasing with some nice runs, however is certainly a non-winner of late.

The last start 3 of 11 in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes was good and you could make a case for him to have won after striking interference in the run.

 Looks a shade unders at the current $6.50, with a further market drift expected. Happy to bet around. No. 

 

#4 The Taj Mahal $4

Defending champ who will lead this field and could very easily pull their pants down if they allow him to dictate.  

He was found to be lame last start when midfield at Moonee Valley, after being crunched in betting late by the professional syndicates ($4.60 to $3.80).

They left it in the bookie's bag on that occasion, however could be thinking of another late plunge here after their modeling have him leading comfortably.

Straight to the front and shut the gate. Must go on top.  

  

#5 Sir Issac Newton $9.50

Would not settle last start in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth when he pulled hard, however he still ran home in strong fashion.

The speed profile of this race does not suit, where they are likely to crawl and force him to over race again.

Hard to have considering his manners. Place only. 

 

#6 Lord Fandango $7.50

Comes via the Bendigo Cup won by Red Alto, where he finished 4 of 13 after travelling wide the trip. On form, that looks many lengths below this field.

Happy to make a case for him here however, going off the run two starts back against the smart Yucatan and A Prince Of Arran when he finished 6 of 15, beaten just on 5.5 lengths.

He can race close to speed here if the rider chooses, and that looks to be an advantage off the predicted moderate tempo. Yes. 

 

#7 Dal Harrailed $5

Ran well to place second in the Bendigo Cup when hard enough in the market to suggest he is going well.

Again the Bendigo form may have question marks, however in the small field and with a muddling tempo, he has to be considered some chance.

Would not go diving into the current $5 in betting and expect the price to drift. Could surprise however. 

 

#8 Our Libretto $5

Interesting runner who comes via a quality mares race at Flemington last start, where she finished midfield in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes.

She typically gets back to midfield or worse and that is a slight knock here with not an abundance of speed engaged.

The speed map looks very ugly. No.  

 

Of The Others

None preferred. 

 

 Best Racing Tips

1^st  The Taj Mahal

2^nd  Ventura Storm

3^rd  Lord Fandango

4^th  Dal Harrailed

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