The Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) headlines the 10-race card at Sandown’s Ladbrokes Park on Saturday with a small field of stayers hoping to cap their Spring off with a win over the mile and a half.
Avilius looks the horse to beat despite his disappointing run in the Melbourne Cup, while there’s also plenty of value to be found on Hotham Handicap place-getters Brimham Rocks and Sound, as well as last start Bendigo Cup winner Princess Jenni.
The absence of Surprise Baby and Miami Bound has taken some of the excitement away, but with a quality race still yet to be run, be sure to read our entire 2020 Zipping Classic Preview below!
Avilius
Avilius was one of the major disappointment’s in last week’s Melbourne Cup running second-last after finding himself well back at the turn.
The old boy hasn’t tasted a win since September last year, but this is a much easier contest for him over a distance he’s won at previously.
Avilius hit the line late for fourth first-up in the Group 2 Chelmsford Smith Stakes (1600m) and also clocked the fastest sectionals second-up in the George Main.
The two mile trip was obviously a step too far in the Melbourne Cup, so he should be better suited here getting back to the 2400m.
Levendi
It’s been a long time in between drinks for Levendi since he last won the Group 1 ATC Derby at Randwick back in 2018.
The six-year-old has mixed his form this time in running third in the Group 3 JRA Cup at The Valley earlier in September followed by a nice late effort for sixth in the Caulfield Stakes.
He wasn’t quite the same last start in the Moonee Valley Cup where he struggled for running room along the rails, but is worth forgiving with the tongue tie and the nose roll coming off for the first time.
Brimham Rocks
Brimham Rocks is building towards another win having found the placings in back-to-back starts in the St Leger at Randwick and the Group 3 Hotham Handicap (2500m) at Flemington last month.
The son of Fastnet Rock looked the winner in the Hotham before he weakened out of it over the final 100m running third in a dead heat with Future Score.
The form out of that race reads extremely well for this contest and the step back to the 2400m looks ideal.
Sound
Sound continues to find one better after just missing out on a spot in the Melbourne Cup when second to Ashrun in the Group 3 Hotham Handicap at Flemington last month.
Michael Moroney’s eight-year-old has now placed in three of his last four runs and was far from disgraced on this day last year running fifth in the Listed Sandown Cup (3200m).
Jamie Kah tends to do her best work after a couple of rides aboard her horses, and with Sound’s turn of foot on full display in the Hotham, the pair should be right in this.
Future Score
Future Score won the Listed Cranbourne Cup (2025) two starts back before running third in a dead heat photo with Brimham Rocks in the Hotham.
Matt Cumani’s Irish import produced his best work late hitting the line from well back in the field and it’s likely Fred Kersley employs similar tactics again on Saturday.
The six-year-old has won two from his three starts over the 2400m previously and is likely to finish over the top of some of these with race fitness on his side.
Lord Belvedere
Lord Belvedere was tested last start in the Group 3 Bart Cummings after winning each of his previous three starts among easier company at Flemington.
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s British raider loves racing over this distance where he’s won twice previously, but based on his latest effort, he would need to improve dramatically to win a race of this quality.
Attorney
Attorney has hardly put a foot wrong this time in work winning the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality (2400m) quite comfortably at Rosehill back in September prior to a last start fourth in the St Leger Stakes (2600m) over further at Randwick.
Matthew Smith’s French import was originally set to run in The Hotham to earn a chance in the Melbourne Cup, but will instead look to cap his Spring off with a win in The Zipping Classic on his way to next year’s Sydney Cup.
Based on recent efforts, the six-year-old is more than up to winning a race of this quality and rates as a major player with two wins to his name over the 2400m.
Princess Jenni
Princess Jenni is hoping to follow in Sertorius’ footsteps by becoming just the second horse to complete the Bendigo Cup – Zipping Classic double.
The mare by High Chaparral was paying 29-1 to win the Bendigo Cup and did just enough to hold off the race-favourite Pondus in a thrilling dash to the line.
Melbourne Cup winning jockey Jye McNeil has retained the ride and another win would not surprise after drawing the rails.
Scarlet Dream
Scarlet Dream hasn’t found the winners circle since 2018 and appears tested here racing over a distance she hasn’t really handled previously.
To her credit, the Sebring mare ran fourth two runs back over the 2400m in a Listed race at Randwick, but was no real threat when sixth last week in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington.
She likely won’t find this any easier.
Zipping Classic Tip
9 Scarlet Dream at $34.00