The new-look Zipping Classic Day will take place at Caulfield on Saturday and another nine outstanding races are on the program.
I’ve run the rule over every runner and race, and you can find my complete 2021 Zipping Classic Day Tips below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Listed Merson Cooper Stakes (1000m) – 12:35pm AEDT
Tip: No Bet
Just two of the ten confirmed starters in this year’s Merson Cooper Stakes have previous experience, and betting suggests that several debutants have a live hope.
Brereton is the one to beat on exposed form, but I am happy to stay out of this one with a view towards something later in the season.
Listed Neds Sandown Cup (3200m) – 1:10pm AEDT
Tip: No. 4 Accountability
Accountability is crying out for two miles, and he gets it in the Neds Sandown Cup.
The Chris Waller-trained stayer has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his preparation, and he recorded consecutive victories in Sydney metro races before filling the minors behind the likes of Wil John and Smokin’ Romans here at Caulfield in October.
He takes his place in the Neds Sandown Cup field following another impressive effort for second in the Macca’s Run on Melbourne Cup Day, and he strikes the race in peak order.
Listed Twilight Glow Stakes (1400m) – 1:45pm AEDT
Tip: No. 1 Decent Raine
Decent Raine will take winning form into the Twilight Glow Stakes, and she shapes as the runner to beat once more.
Decent Raine has been a model of consistency throughout her campaign, and she filled the minors of a couple of black type races in September and October most notably.
She was rewarded for her form with a lucrative win in the VOBIS Gold Eureka Stockade last time out, and a repeat of that effort would see her into the finish of this race as well.
Listed Doveton Stakes (1000m) – 2:20pm AEDT
Tip: No. 9 Enthaar
Enthaar strips fitter for a competitive fresh effort down the straight at Flemington, and this looks the perfect feature for her.
The lightly-raced filly has made just four appearances at the races so far, but she recorded consecutive wins to begin her career, including the Chairman’s Stakes here at Caulfield, and she went to the paddock after running sixth in the Neds Blue Diamond.
She has bucket loads of talent, and the $4 we’re getting at publish could prove to be big overs.
Group 3 Summoned Stakes (1600m) – 3:00pm AEDT
Tip: No. 1 Quantum Mechanic
The Summoned Stakes looks like being one of the more open contests on Zipping Classic Day, and I’m going to have something on Quantum Mechanic to bounce back into winning form.
Quantum Mechanic has been a great horse for the Price & Kent stable since debuting, and she has laid a typically good account for herself this time, including a close-up fourth placing in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap.
She didn’t measure up in the Cantala Stakes last time, but this is a decent drop in class from that contest, and a far more appropriate target.
Group 2 Neds Sandown Guineas (1600m) – 3:40pm AEDT
Tip: No. 2 Port Louis
Port Louis returned an excellent performance to finish second in the Amanda Elliot on Stakes Day, and the Neds Sandown Guineas looks the next logical step for him.
The Maher & Eustace team have had an opinion of this horse since he debuted, and while he has taken a while to really find his feet, his recent efforts have hinted at nice ability.
A mile looks perfect and with even luck, he can record a well-deserved Group 2 win.
Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) – 4:20pm AEDT
Tip: Exacta #1/#2
Melbourne Cup placegetter Spanish Mission takes his place in the Zipping Classic field, and perhaps understandably, he has opened a $1.55 favourite.
I think he’ll win, but that is too short for me, and I am going to have an Exacta with Warning.
The 2019 Victoria Derby winner did mix his form a bit during his four-year-old season, but he broke back into the winner’s stall during the Brisbane Winter Carnival, and he takes his place in the Zipping Classic field following consecutive wins in the St Leger and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
He’s a clear second pick for mine, so let’s go a #1/#2 Exacta.
Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m) – 5:00pm AEDT
Tip: No. 1 So Si Bon
So Si Bon is chasing back-to-back wins in the Eclipse Stakes, and I think that he is a very good chance of defending his crown.
The So You Think gelding has been an absolute enigma throughout his career, but there is no denying his talent and ability when he puts it all together, and he has been typically competitive this time, without recording a win.
He loomed up and finished just over half a length behind the winner in the Cranbourne Cup last time, and at around the $10 mark we can have an each-way play.
Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) – 5:40pm AEDT
Tip: No. 3 Ranier
This is a red-hot edition of the Kevin Heffernan Stakes and while there is a case to be made for several, I am going to stick with the second-up Ranier.
Ranier has been a good horse for the Godolphin operation in races like this one for many seasons now.
He won the Wayne Wilson most notably during his autumn and winter prep this year, and he returned a credible performance for fifth behind Age Of Chivalry in the Chatham Stakes when resuming.
He harbours a lot more improvement than most of his key rivals here, and he is another whom we can back each-way at around $8.