The focus shifts to Sandown this weekend with a quality card on offer, highlighted by the running of the 2015 Zipping Classic. Our horse racing expert Tim is back with more horse racing tips with a preview of the 2015 Zipping Classic!
Quayclean Zipping Classic 2400m
Quality field assembled for the Group 2 Zipping Classic over 2400m despite the ack of numbers. The first thing I notice about the field is the lack of pace on paper. The clear leader looks to be Don Doremo but other than that there aren't many others that do their racing up on speed. Rising Romance could push forward to hold a very handy position behind or outside the leader and she probably has the best turn of foot in the race so the slack pace will work in her favour. Sertorius could race closer than he did in the Melbourne Cup, while Dandino maps to get a perfect run in midfield from barrier 4.
DANDINO: Impressive winner of the Group 3 Queens Cup over the Flemington carnival and he beat home a very handy horse in Secret Number. He did completely chop him off at the 200m mark (which Melham was suspended for) but he won by nearly two lengths. Drops back to 2400m which is only a very slight query and maps to get a good run. Can win again.
WHO SHOT THEBARMAN: Was one of the horses completely taken out of the race at the 150m mark of the Melbourne Cup when he looked to be going well. Recovered to finish off well in midfield. The drop back to 2400m is a huge query here and he's only won once over this distance from four attempts. Waller/McDonald an eye catching combo but prefer others.
SERTORIUS: Ran a blinder in the Melbourne Cup, recording the 5th fastest final sectional of the field. However, about 8 runners were terribly hampered by Frankie Dettori's wild riding so his final 200m was perhaps a touch flattering. Drops back to the 2400m as well and I prefer others ahead of him.
TALL SHIP: Probably the best roughie in the race when markets first opened but he's been backed accordingly. Worked home really nicely in restricted room over 1800m at Flemington last start and he steps up sharply to the 2400m here where he is undefeated from two attempts. Drawn to get a good run, can go well.
DON DOREMO: Finished 3rd behind Dandino last start and with the weight-for-age conditions of this race he has to give Dandino another 3.5kg from that win.Hard to see him turning it around.
RISING ROMANCE: I was very keen on her in the Caulfield Cup but she ran a shocker and was found to be in season. I forgave her for that and was very keen on her once again last start at 20/1 and she ran a blinder, finishing 2nd over 2000m in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes behind Gailo Chop. As we found out later, Gailo Chop was running in the fastlane on the rail and she probably should have won had she been on the rail. Lack of speed in this race plays into her hands as she has the best turn of foot in the race. Pretty keen to back her again.
KIRRAMOSA: I can see her running a big race today. She had been crying out for extra ground in her runs and she finally got it last start when finishing off well to be beaten a length by The Offer. Her saddle slipped on the turn so she had a minor excuse too. Divan was 2nd that day and has since come out and won at Flemington. Stays at 2400m here and has to be included.
DO YOU REMEMBER: Group 1 placegetter in South Africa that had her first start in Australia last start. She ran okay adn steps up sharply to 2400m here which will suit her much better, but I query her fitness levels this early in her campaign and she might just need the run again.
Summary
Really even race with a few that could win if they get the race run to suit. RISING ROMANCE goes on top after her return to form in a good race last start. I've followed her all the way through her campaign and I'm prepared to give her another chance here. The lack of race should suit her with the turn of foot she has. KIRRAMOSA could be one that runs well at double figures. She ran really well when finally getting to 2400m last start and Divan has come out of that race and won so the form is good. Expect her to go well again. DANDINO has done nothing to suggest he can't win again here. His win in the Queen's Cup last start was great and he beat home a very good horse, while his stablemate Tall Ship is the horse that will be peaking for this race and could beat the lot of them.
1st RISING ROMANCE
2nd KIRRAMOSA
3rd DANDINO
4th TALL SHIP
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
