The Zipping Classic may be one of the most underrated races of the Spring Racing Carnival and it is always an interesting betting affair.
There may only be eight horses in the Zipping Classic field, but every single one of them is a genuine winning chance.
We have analysed all eight gallopers and our complete 2018 Zipping Classic tips can be found below.
Who Shot Thebarman
Who Shot Thebarman won this race in dominant fashion back in 2015 and he is back for another tilt. He was simply never able to get into the race in the Melbourne Cup, but his run before that was sound when he finished fourth in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup. There is no doubt that he has been a touch below his best and he would need to improve to be a genuine winning chance in this contest.
Ventura Storm
Ventura Storm was able to finish in the prizemoney in the Melbourne Cup, without ever looking like a winning chance. The start before that he was able to win the Moonee Valley Gold Cup and a repeat of that sort of effort would have him right in this contest. The $6 that is currently available does seem around the right price.
Libran
Libran continues to race well without actually getting the job done. He hasn’t produced a poor effort this campaign and he did receive a check at the worst possible time when he finished third in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes last Saturday. It has been a long time between race wins, but there is no doubt that he is still racing well and the $6 that is currently on offer does represent a touch of value.
The Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is currently on top of Zipping Classic betting and I think that he is the horse to beat. He won this race in dominant fashion 12 months ago and he could very well be a horse like Zipping himself that simply thrives under the conditions of this race. He was gallant in defeat when he finished fifth in the Caulfield Cup and he had no luck in running, once again, when he finished ninth in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup. Ben Melham should be able to take him straight to the front in the Zipping Classic and he can dictate terms throughout.
Sir Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton is another horse that is on the quick back-up after running in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes last weekend. He hasn’t been disgraced in any of his race starts this campaign, but he is racing at a level below what will be needed to win this race.
Lord Fandango
Lord Fandango comes into the Zipping Classic on the back of a fourth place finish in the Bendigo Cup. He probably hasn’t take the step forward that was expected of him 12 months ago and he is another that would need to improve to be a genuine winning chance in the Zipping Classic.
Dal Harraild
Dal Harraild was only narrowly denied by Red Alto in the Bendigo Cup and it is fair to say that he didn’t have a great deal of luck in running. He is a stayer on the rise that does still seem to have some upside and he maps to get a lovely run in transit with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle. There is no knock on him going into this contest.
Our Libretto
Our Libretto had her winning run ended when she finished seventh in the Matriarch Stakes and this is a step-up in quality again. She is a mare with talent, but I would be surprised if she was good enough to win this contest.