A capacity field of two-year-olds has been taken for this year’s Merson Cooper Stakes and only five have exposed form.
I’m happy to wait for the second race on the card to open the account.
No Bet
Sound hasn’t been outstanding since he arrived in Australia, but this isn’t a good edition of the Ladbrokes Sandown Cup and he should prove tough to beat. The former German finished seventh in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes most notably since arriving in Mike Moroney’s care and was last seen running 12th in the Melbourne Cup. A repeat of that performance would see him winning this.
3 Units Sound
Xilong was unable to hold on in the dying stages of the last race on Melbourne Cup Day but looks well placed to atone in the Twilight Glow Stakes. The Tony McEvoy-trained filly won her first two starts when resuming this campaign, including an easy win over the smart Garner at Morphettville two starts back. At around the $3 mark, I am more than happy to give her another chance.
3 Units Xilong
A small but strong field will contest this year’s Ladbrokes Sandown Stakes and nearly every horse rates as a winning chance.
William Thomas doesn’t know how to run a bad race and is rock-hard fit for this contest. The Nicconi gelding has returned four pleasing efforts this preparation and was last seen working home to finish third in a decent race on Melbourne Cup Day. He’ll enjoy a nice drop in the weights from that run and is ready to win again.
2 Units William Thomas
Viridine has mixed his form this time in, but there is no denying his ability when he puts it all together and the Doveton Stakes does look an ideal race for him. The Poet’s Voice gelding was good in races similar to this one in Autumn and Winter, winning the Listed Ortensia at Scone most notably. If he can produce something similar to what he did when fourth behind Trekking in the Group 2 Schillaci two starts back, he’ll take a power of beating. I’m happy to have something on here but if he doesn’t salute, he’ll take a big step towards the ‘never again’ pile.
2 Units Viridine
This shaping as one of, if not the most competitive race on Zipping Classic Day and not one of the nine confirmed starters would look out of place in the Kevin Heffernan Stakes winner’s stall.
Charlie Appleby horses always have to be respected and I think that this looks a nice race for D’Bai. The Dubawi gelding has recorded some terrific results in Europe and the UK and was most recently seen finishing midfield in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes in Sydney, behind Pierata. He has a class edge over several of these.
2 Units D’Bai
Banquo has completed an ideal lead-in to the Ladbrokes Sandown Guineas and will take a power of beating. The son of Written Tycoon ran second over 1300m at Bendigo when resuming and has continued to improve as the bar has been raised; returning wins at Sale and Flemington respectively. It is fair to say that the combination of trainer Danny O’Brien and jockey Craig Williams has been a good one in recent weeks, and this horse can return the team another winner.
3 Units Banquo
This isn’t the strongest edition of the Zipping Classic that we have been treated to, but there is value to be found in the market regardless.
Melbourne Cup contender Southern France will have his second Australian start in the Zipping Classic and should enjoy the drops in trip and class. The son of Galileo didn’t bring his best to the track last week, but he has found form around some serious horses in 2019 including Stradivarius and won the Group 3 Irish St Leger Trial at The Curragh most notably. Anything close to that run would see him winning this.
2 Units Southern France
Fidelia has promised plenty without delivering a whole lot of late, but this does look to be her easiest task in black type company for a while, and she looks a live chance of winning the Summoned Stakes. The four-year-old grey has finished third in a couple of black type races this time but was quite clearly out of her depth when tenth in the Empire Rose last time out. She is rock-hard fit and will appreciate the drop in class.
1 Unit E/W Fidelia
Setting Sail will have his first Australia start in the Eclipse Stakes and looks beautifully placed to extend his outstanding career record. The Dansili gelding has recorded four wins and three minors from only nine starts so far and was last seen recording a five-length win at Epsom Downs, with 60.5kgs in tow. He’s drawn ideally and with even luck, will be hard to beat.
3 Units Setting Sail