Zipping Classic to attract multiple international entries
THE Zipping Classic hasn’t been synonymous with attracting international attention, but this year’s running on Saturday could feature some Melbourne Cup runners looking to end their sojourns in style.
The $300,000 Zipping Classic at Sandown could have up to five international runners which competed throughout the Melbourne spring carnival.
Racing Victoria’s Leigh Jordon confirmed on Sunday that connections of horses that have already raced over the carnival would back up for either the Zipping Classic or the Sandown Cup.
Melbourne Cup entrants Wicklow Brave, Secret Number, Qewy, Big Orange and Beautiful Romance will be aimed at either the Sandown Cup or Zipping Classic and Jordon said the meeting has been embraced by the visiting owners and trainers.
“The Melbourne Racing Club have programmed a perfect follow-up card which keeps the carnival alive and well,” Jordon said.
“And it underlines the new way the overseas trainers are approaching their targets. In the early days, they just came for the majors and went home.”
Appleby seeking more carnival success
Charlie Appleby trains the European-based Godolphin horses and he’s hoping Geelong Cup winner Qewy can win again in the $150,000 Listed Sandown Cup this Saturday.
“It’s just great for the team,” Appleby said. “We have one more roll of the dice next weekend with old Qewy in the Sandown Cup… if we can sign off with one more winner next weekend we will look forward to next year.”
Appleby will be taking all of his runners back home, but he is planning to bring back a full team to compete in the 2017 Melbourne spring carnival.
“They are all going to go back. Qewy will be a horse that we might look at something like the Sydney Cup with him,” Appleby said.
“We were coming out here to test the water with them this time. We genuinely didn’t know how they would campaign. We thought they had the right profiles but until you have tried and tested it yourselves.
“It’s our first experience over here so we couldn’t exactly come here saying this is what you need or don’t need. It has been a great learning curve for us. We couldn’t have asked for it to go any better.
“It just raises the bar a little bit more next year when we pitch up again. Let’s hope we can do as well as we did this year – we will all be delighted.”
Scottish ($26 at Sportsbet for the 2017 Cox Plate) wasn’t able to run in the Group 1 Emirates Stakes on Saturday, but Appleby hopes to receive an invite to the Cox Plate.
“Scottish had a minor setback. He goes to Dubai and after that, all being well, we will try and get one of those invites to go to the Cox Plate,” Appleby added.
Barman returns for Zipping Classic defence
Who Shot Thebarman produced a great run to finish fifth in the Melbourne Cup and it’s back to defend its Zipping Classic title.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding won the Zipping Classic last year after getting a luckless run in the Melbourne Cup and although it’s a year older, Waller believes its chances depend on the opposition.
“Who Shot Thebarman won it last year after coming off a similar run in the Cup, so it all depends on the opposition,” Waller said.
“He has pulled up well since the Cup. I think the tracks have been fantastic at Flemington during Cup Week and horses have been pulling up well.
“Earlier in the carnival they pulled up knowing they’d had a run, but this week they have been pretty good and seem to have come through it really well.”
Fellow Melbourne Cup entrant Almoonqith will be entered for the Zipping Classic and Sandown Cup. The David Hayes/Tom Dabernig-trained runner won the Sandown Cup last year, but Dabernig said it will likely head to the Classic.
“We are nominating for both, but we might come back to the 2400m,” he said.
Highland Reel firms in Japan Cup betting
Highland Reel continued Aidan O’Brien’s worldwide dominance with a win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita on Sunday.
The 2015 Cox Plate placegetter led all the way with Seamus Heffernan in the saddle and O’Brien was happy with the tactics.
“We knew that he gets a mile-and-a-half well, that he handles fast ground and doesn’t mind dictating, so it was straightforward really,” O’Brien said.
“Seamus executed it brilliantly. He controlled the race perfectly. He kicked at the right time, and really the race was over from a long way out.”
Highland Reel has now firmed into $4 at Bet365 for the Japan Cup on November 27, but O’Brien hasn’t ruled out a possible start on International Day in Hong Kong.
“He has two options now, in the Japan Cup and a race in Hong Kong,” O’Brien said.
“I don’t know if he’ll be able to take in two or take in one, but we’ll see how he is. But he’s an incredibly versatile horse that loves travelling.”