Zipping Classic free tips, odds and form, Saturday November 18
THE beauty of the Sandown meeting in November is that punters get to see some Melbourne Cup runners back in action.
2016 Melbourne Cup winner Almandin and 2017 fourth placegetter Big Duke line up in Saturday’s Zipping Classic at Sandown and we have free racing tips, form and odds for all 10 races on the premier card.
Named in honour of the four-time winner Zipping (2007-2010), the Sandown Classic is the feature race on the card, which also includes the Sandown Cup and the Sandown Guineas.
The extended Melbourne spring carnival isn’t quite over so sign up to Neds.com.au where punters can still get $500 in bonus bets when signing up.
Race 1 – Cooper Stakes (1000m)
Oohood trialled well leading into this and there has been some significant support in the betting. The Tony McEvoy-trained filly was given a soft trial for fourth at Morphettville and its opening odds have shortened from $4.40 to $4.20. Consider for win bets.
Lindsay Park lines up debut winner Long Leaf. The colt by Fastnet Rock was a narrow winner on debut at Morphettville, which wasn’t the most impressive victory, but the outing will give it plenty of confidence.
Race 1 tip: Oohood to win ($4.20) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 2 – Twilight Glow Stakes (1400m)
Yulong Xingsheng has looked talented in a brief career to date and it ran well at Flemington last start. The Kris Lees-trained filly ran fourth behind Our Crown Mistress and its performance for second behind Torvill in the Reg Allen Quality was handy. Tricky draw, but consider at $5.
Former Kiwi runner So Far Sokool ran within a nose of Tamasa last start and that form stacks up well. Now with Archie Alexander, the filly has been given time to adjust to life in Australia and it’s ready to show its best form. $14 is a value price.
Race 2 tip: So Far Sokool to win ($14) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 3 – Sandown Cup (3200m)
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Gallic Chieftain has been well backed throughout this campaign, but it hasn’t produced the goods. The Darren Weir-trained import finished third in the Herbert Power and second in the Geelong Cup, but it only battled for fifth in the Queen Elizabeth. It doesn’t get much easier than this, but we question its desire to win.
Former Kiwi runner Fanatic Fanatic was a big winner at Flemington last start and that form should stack up well here. The Lindsay Park-trained five-year-old had been only battling up until that point, but this distance is ideal and it has had two runs at the two miles prior.
Race 3 tip: Gallic Chieftain to win ($2.40) at Neds.com.au
Race 4 – Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1300m)
Thronum defied a massive betting drift last start to win at Bendigo. The Hayes/Dabernig-trained speedster was $1.40 in the betting, but it drifted to $2.40 come start time. It was still able to win by five lengths in a dominant display having not raced in over a year and although second-up can be tricky, we think it’s a natural speedster.
Ocean Embers is an underrated type which is coming off a win in the MSS Security Stakes at Flemington. The Shea Eden-trained runner sat near the back of the field before producing a big sprint down the outside. It typically needs plenty of pace up front and drawing the inside might not help, but it will be storming home late.
Race 4 tip: Ocean Embers to win ($5) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 5 – Recruitment Stakes (1500m)
Hellova Street is coming off a top notch win in the Chatham Stakes on Oaks day and there’s no reason why it can’t win again. The Scott Brunton-trained seven-year-old went straight to the front and held off all challengers at Flemington. This is a hot tempo race, but expect similar tactics.
Dollar for Dollar has won its last three races and it won in style on Melbourne Cup day. The McEvoy-trained five-year-old found a nice turn-of-foot to put away a solid field and there will be plenty of confident punters for this Saturday’s run. Current favourite at $3.80.
Race 5 tip: Dollar for Dollar to win ($3.80) at WilliamHill.com.au
Race 6 – Doveton Stakes (1000m)
Crystal Dreamer is the current $3.50 favourite following its second placing in the G.H. Mumm Stakes behind Ball of Muscle. The Ellerton/Zahra-trained runner has been a consistent type throughout its career and it scored a win at its only start at Sandown. Its form stacks up well for this race.
Gun Case continues to improve its record with 12 wins from 28 starts. The Weir-trained sprinter has won three of its last four starts and it has never finished out of the money in three starts at Sandown, which includes two wins. Overlook it at your peril.
Race 6 tip: Crystal Dreamer to win ($3.50) at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 7 – Zipping Classic (2400m)
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Almandin was disappointing in the Melbourne Cup, but it travelled wide throughout and it gets in much better at the weights for this. The Robert Hickmott-trained stayer is a champion runner and it meets the majority of the field at even weights. Dropping back to 2400m is a concern, but we’re not doubting its ability and neither are punters at $2.40.
Big Duke finished off stoutly for fourth in the Melbourne Cup and the six-year-old has plenty of upside. The seven-time winner from 20 starts doesn’t know how to disappoint punters, but this is going to be a real test at the weights. Carrying 59kg is going to test its ability, but consider at $3.40.
Race 7 tip: Almandin to win ($2.40) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 8 – Sandown Guineas (1600m)
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Snitzepeg was ridden upside down in the Carbine Club Stakes, but it still rattled home late. Craig Williams produced another poor ride during the carnival, but punters should be forgiving of the three-year-old. Its form prior was top quality and we’re expecting a big effort here.
Beau Geste was also finishing off well in that same race behind Levendi and it didn’t have much luck in two starts prior to that. The James Cummings-trained colt has been in work for a while this campaign, but it has attracted attention in the betting at $4.60.
Race 8 tip: Snitezpeg to win ($4.20) at Neds.com.au
Race 9 – Eclipse Stakes (1800m)
Raw Impulse was a good thing beaten behind Fastnet Tempest last start and it has its hoof on the till. The Weir-trained stayer was blocked in the straight at Flemington and the two-time winner over this distance looks ready to win at $3.70.
Payroll hasn’t won since June in Doomben, but it has produced some handy performances in defeat. The Richard Laming-trained mare finished 2.75 lengths behind Savapinski last time out at Flemington and it was the only one making ground late. Nice chance here at each way odds.
Race 9 tip: Raw Impulse to win ($3.70) at Topbetta.com.au
Race 10 – Summoned Stakes (1500m)
Petition is overdue for a win and punters will be launching into this runner. The $3.20 chance has been unlucky behind the likes of Global Glamour and Merriest this campaign and this looks an easier target now. It will likely start as the firm favourite.
Oregon’s Day has finally drawn a decent barrier and expect it to be more competitive. The four-year-old hasn’t had the best of luck this campaign with wide barrier draws, but expect jockey Mick Dee to settle much closer and it could strike late.
Race 10 tip: Petition to win ($3.20) at Neds.com.au