ZIPPING CLASSIC 2019 PREVIEW
SANDOWN RACE 8 – 16:40 AEDT
OPEN G2
2400m
$300,000
GOOD 4
Rail TRUE entire
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | 00549 | HUMIDOR | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | D LANE (7) | 59.0 | $4 |
| 2 | 24754 | VENTURA STORM | D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG | J M NEIL (2) | 59.0 | $8.50 |
| 3 | 04287 | GALLIC CHIEFTAIN | ARCHIE ALEXANDER | C WILLIAMS (4) | 59.0 | $9 |
| 4 | 00660 | PATRICK ERIN | C WALLER | M WALKER (1) | 59.0 | $18 |
| 5 | 44130 | SOUTHERN FRANCE | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | M ZAHRA (5) | 59.0 | $3.70 |
| 6 | 3x760 | DAL HARRAILD | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | B MELHAM (6) | 59.0 | $10 |
| 7 | 90516 | MIDTERM | M & L CERCHI | PATRICK MOLONEY (10) | 59.0 | $20 |
| 8 | 4x736 | CHAPADA | M MORONEY | J WINKS (3) | 58.0 | $11 |
| 9 | x0901 | SAVVY OAK | T B & N YOUNG | L CURRIE (9) | 58.0 | $11 |
| 10 | 27882 | MISS SISKA | G BEGG | J DOYLE (8) | 57.0 | $9.50 |
OVERVIEW
The Zipping Classic headlines one of the few Saturday racing meets at Sandown for the year and despite its Group 2 status it looks set to be a cracking race with many talented Group 1 stayers lining up in the small but quality field this year. There are multiple form lines here which should make for an intriguing race.
SPEED MAP
Pace here looks to be fair with Miss Siska likely to run them along at a genuine pace. She jumps from barrier 8 and should be able to cross relatively unopposed. Maybe Midterm will also cross from the widest barrier along with Dal Harraild and Chapada who are also likely to be in the first few. Favourite Southern France shouldn’t be too far away.
KEY RUNNERS
- HUMIDOR ($4)
It goes without saying that Humidor is an extremely talented horse (any horse that can push Winx is talented) who holds claims here. Humidor has raced at the top level in nearly all of his races dating as far back as 2017, so he should appreciate the drop in grade here. Has been solid without being excellent this prep and last start found Magic Wand far too good in the Mackinnon Stakes. Has the class but question marks over the current form.
- VENTURA STORM ($8.50)
Another classy runner who once upon a time also holds a second placing to Winx (albeit by 7 lengths) and definitely has the class to win this race. The big query however is that he hasn’t won in over a year and you’d have to imagine that his best is past him at this stage. Form this time in has been solid and he is rock hard fit here so he is certainly a winning hope but he will have to improve somewhat to win.
- SOUTHERN FRANCE ($3.70)
Overseas import who was having his first run in Australia last start in Australia’s most famous race, the Melbourne Cup. He was unsuited by the slow tempo in that race and didn’t run all that well but his overseas form is outstanding. He might appreciate the tempo here and bounce back in a big way.
BLUEY’S PICK
- SOUTHERN FRANCE ($3.70)
My mind casts back to when Who Shot Thebarman dominated here a couple of years back and I can feel Southern France winning in similar style with the right run. Overseas form is outstanding and can certainly improve off his Melbourne Cup performance. Melbourne Cup runners have a good record in this race and with some aging stayers past their
