Zipping Classic Tips – 2014

If an owner was asked what race he would like to win, the G2 Zipping Classic wouldn’t be one that would be commonly requested however, for prominent owner Lloyd Williams; it rates up there alongside the big spring features. He’s grand campaigner Zipping won the race four years straight (2007 – 2010) – twice after backing up from a Melbourne Cup – and Williams has been keen to win the race each year since. He was successful in 2012 with Tanby and ran third in 2011 with Mourayan to Americain. This year he’ll be represented by a pair of Moons – Green and Sea, as his searches for another race named in the honour of one of his favourite horses. Green Moon is $5 and Sea Moon $12. Favourite for the race is Prince Of Penzance at $3.50 with Au Revoir ($5.50) and Spillway ($4.20) the other runners in the small field under $10.

 

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1. GREEN MOON – S Arnold (2) 59kgs
Ran as well as could’ve been expected first up in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) but put in an shocker next start – the G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m), and finished second to last.
Started a $41 chance in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and had nice run midfield on the fence during the run before tracking up behind the leaders as the pressure went on heading into the turn.
He wanted to get out as the jockey tried to direct him back to the fence straightening, got onto the heels of one top of the straight and didn’t look entirely comfortably in the run home finishing ninth (2.65 lengths) behind Admire Rakti.
Connections decision to by-pass this year’s Melbourne Cup in preference for this race is a good lead and he gets conditions to suit.

 

2. SEA MOON – N Hall (5) 59kgs
Worked home as well as connections could have hoped for first up off a seven month spell when fifth (2.7 lengths) of eight in the Listed Bart Cummings (2520m) under the impost of 60kgs.
A fortnight later he headed straight into the Caulfield Cup and took up the running from a poor draw (18).
He was under pressure a long way out from home and even before the field reached the turn, was losing ground and eventual fell all the way back through the field to finish last and close to ten lengths from the winner Admire Rakti.
That run was four week ago now and it’s hard to include among the better hopes here off the back of it.

 

3. RIALYA – C Schofield (7) 59kgs
The 7yo has had two starts for Matt Laurie after joining his stable from that of Adelaide’s Lloyd Kennewell, with each of his runs seeing him run seventh in the Hamilton (2200m) and Kyneton (2000m) Cups respectively.
Rises 4kgs on last start and combined with the fact that in his eleven runs since his last win he has managed only one placing – think it would be safe to leave him out here.

 

4. PRINCE OF PENZANCE – M Payne (4) 59kgs
He almost produced an identical run in last Saturday’s G3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) to that that saw him win the G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup at his previous start he bettered Le Roi by 1.3 lengths.
Settling at the tail of the field, he saved ground around the turn before easing off the leader’s back but the weight turn-around of 1.5kgs from the Moonee Valley run, saw him come up a long neck short with Le Roi this time staving off the challenge. Last three runs have been top class and he’s well prepared for a shot at a WFA event but some sting out of the track would be preferred for him.

 

5. AU REVOIR – K McEvoy (8) 59kgs
A European galloper who made a promising debut in the G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) three weeks ago. He took up the running on that occasion and led the field of nine runners for a majority of the event, only being caught late by Pirate Of Penzance and Le Roi – the subsequent quinella in the G3 Queen Elizabeth last Saturday, and finishing third (1.8 lengths) He then line up as one of four runners for OTI Racing for the Melbourne Cup (3200m) and given he drew poorly (21), his effort to run eighth (10.8 lengths) behind Protectionist, was a commendable one. Each of his three career wins have come at this distance, two of which have been listed events under a similar weight. Will roll along in front or on the pace and will see out the trip.

 

6. SPILLWAY – D Dunn (1) 59kgs
Returned with a slashing run first up in the G2 P B Lawrence (1400m), backing that up with a close up sixth in the G2 Dato Tan and a luckless run at Caulfield, the Hayes/Dabernig runner started deserved favourite for the G1 Metropolitan Stakes (2400m). Had his chance in the Metrop and was disappointing in finishing ninth and seven lengths behind Junoob. Freshened up for four weeks and made good ground late in last fortnight’s Mackinnon Stakes (2000m), when from near last and wide, he crossed the line fourth (2.3 lengths) behind in-form pair of Happy Trails and He’s Your Man. Ran same handy races over this trip back in Europe however, still only has the one win beyond 2000m from five starts and combined with what we saw in the Metrop, there’d still have to be a question mark over him at this trip.

 

7. RAWNAQ – M Walker (6) 59kgs
Registered his second career win with a smart victory in a BM 84 (2000m) at Caulfield second up from a spell, picking his way through the field to finishing strongly and defeating Bring Back. Given three week off after that run before taking part in last Saturday’s RST 90 (2000m) race where from the widest gate in the field of sixteen, he settled last. That wasn’t the position to be given the way the race was run and the track played that day and got home well all things considered, to finish seventh (5.5 lengths). Goes up more than a few notches in grade here however and would expect at least a few here to prove too strong.

 

8. COUNT OF LIMONDAE – G Boss (3) 59kgs
Got condition to suit for the first since coming from Europe to Australian in the Moe Cup (Slow track, 2000m) and was given a great ride by Glenn Boss to salute by a long neck from Pirate Of Penzance who has been excellent in two runs since. With the firmer track declared for the Bendigo Cup (2400m) at his following and most recent start, the 5yo stallion’s price drifted significantly and in a solidly run race, he battled home for fifth place, 2.15 lengths behind Bring Something and Massiyn. Honest last start but this race is stronger and he goes up a kilo. Really needs the track to be rain-effected if he’s to come into calculations.

 

9. EPINGLE – J McDonald (9) 56kgs
Scratched from last Saturday’s G3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) making her last run three weeks ago in the G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup. She settled there back in the running line as the small field of nine made its way up the side but when she eased out to make her run, could only hold her spot in the run to the line, as many did, finishing fourth (4.6 lengths) behind Pirate of Penzance and Le Roi who then positions reversed, ran the quinella in Saturday’s G3 Queen Elizabeth. She ran a courageous second in this race last fourth up, as she will be on Saturday, and has a good record at her beyond 2400m.
RACE OVERVIEW

Au Revoir rolls along with long-shot Rialya and Sea Moon for company.
It’s a small field so they should sort themselves out pretty quick and set a comfortable tempo.
Think Lloyd can do it and win another Zipping Classic here with Green Moon.
Like the fact that he missed the Cup in preference for this race and his Caulfield Cup run was good.
He’ll camp behind them and is the class runner in the race which should be an advantage under WFA conditions.
Prince Of Penzance going well but would like to see some sting out of the track and happy to risk Spillway over the 2400m on his record at this trip.

1. GREEN MOON
2. AU REVOIR
3. PRINCE OF PENZANCE
4. EPINGLE

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