Sandown - Hillside Race 8 – 16:40 AEDT
Open Group 2
2400m
$300,000.00
Good 4
True entire circuit
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Weight (kg) | Barrier | Current Price |
| 1. Who Shot Thebarman | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 59.0 | 2 | $11.00 |
| 2. Ventura Storm | D & B Hayes & T Dabernig | Mark Zahra | 59.0 | 8 | $6.00 |
| 3. Libran | Chris Waller | Michael Walker | 59.0 | 6 | $6.50 |
| 4. The Taj Mahal | Liam Howley | Ben Melham | 59.0 | 7 | $3.90 |
| 5. Sir Isaac Newton | Liam Howley | Anthony Darmanin | 59.0 | 5 | $10.00 |
| 6. Lord Fandango | Archie Alexander | John Allen | 59.0 | 3 | $8.00 |
| 7. Dal Harraild | C Maher & D Eustace | Kerrin McEvoy | 59.0 | 4 | $5.00 |
| 8. Our Libretto | Grahame Begg | Damian Lane | 57.0 | 1 | $5.00 |
*Odds correct as of 12pm Thursday 15 November 2018
Formerly known as the Sandown Classic (or Sandown Cup) the Zipping Classic is a Group 2 staying race run in November over 2400m. In 2011, the race name was changed to the Zipping Classic after Zipping won the race four consecutive times. Other notable winners include; Americain, Gunsynd and Light Fingers.
Race Speed
Expecting to see a solid tempo here with The Taj Mahal likely to cross and lead from the second widest barrier. Dal Harraild should also show some early speed and is likely to be prominent early. Lord Fandango could hunt up the rail along with Sir Isaac Newton to be the next pair. Who Shot Thebarman and Our Libretto should race towards the tail of the small field.
Key Runners
- VENTURA STORM ($6.00)
Have to forgive last start in the Melbourne Cup, quite simply didn’t run the 3200m out. Start prior to that was a brilliant winner (track record) in the Moonee Valley Cup against subsequent Group 1 Trap For Fools. Loves this distance and can rebound here in a big way.
- THE TAJ MAHAL ($3.90)
Was an impressive winner in this race last year, beating 2016 Melbourne Cup winner Almandin by 3.5L in dominant fashion. Raced against Ventura Storm and many other runners last start but had to work from barrier 14 and was caught deep before tiring to ninth. Willing to forgive last start and looks a deserving favourite here.
- DAL HARRAILD ($5.00)
Was only fair in his first Australian start, finishing 6.3L behind Yucatan in his impressive Herbert Power win. Blinkers went on last in the Bendigo Cup and he was able to land in a nice spot, taking the lead and fighting on well for a narrow defeat. It will be interesting to see whether the form out of that race will stand up but look for a much improved performance here.
Race Selection
- THE TAJ MAHAL ($3.90)
Terrific winner of this race last year when basically dominated a field of good horses! Excuses in his last start and prior to that form was solid. The field here is not overly strong and he looks well positioned to go back to back here.
BlueBet has a cracking offer for punters on the Races 1 & 2 at Sandown on Zipping Classic Day. Log in to the website to find out more.
