The time-honoured Zipping Classic headlines ten quality metropolitan races at Caulfield this Saturday, November 30th.
The Zipping Classic always draws a quality field of stayers and once again features Melbourne Cup horses, Group 1 winners and in-form gallopers all chasing their place on the honour roll.
Check out all of my Caulfield tips below.
Race 1 - 12:20pm AEDT
Whispering Angel Handicap (1800m)
Autumn Slide has returned to the races in slick form and has earned a crack at Saturday metro company.
Having broken her maiden at Cranbourne in October, the daughter of The Autumn Sun franked that effort with a smart win in BM58 company at Kilmore before winning at The Valley a couple of weeks ago.
She’s hard fit and the rise in trip looks suitable at this point of her prep.
1 Unit Autumn Slide
Race 2 - 12:50pm AEDT
Listed Merson Cooper Stakes (1000m)
Just one of the 13 horses engaged in the Merson Cooper Stakes has previous raceday experience and it’s the Maribyrnong Plate winner, Tycoon Star.
He was sent off at double figure odds on Melbourne Cup Day but produced an eye-catching performance to easily win.
I think he’ll only improve for that experience.
2 Units Tycoon Star
Race 3 - 1:25pm AEDT
Vale Elvstroem (2400m)
Alma Rise is two from two this time in and looks a great chance for the hat-trick on Zipping Classic Day.
The Almanzor mare just snuck home in BM70 company at Moe last month, but she enjoyed big improvement into a dominant performance at Flemington last time out.
Fitter third-up and out to the mile and a half, I can’t find a reason why she won’t be in the finish again.
3 Units Alma Rise
Race 4 - 2pm AEDT
Listed Twilight Glow Stakes (1400m)
I’m keen to stick with She’s Got Pizzazz third-up from a break.
She’s Got Pizzazz returned to action to record a dominant win in maiden company at Kilmore last month before finishing a credible fifth, beaten just over two lengths in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes last time out.
With further improvement, getting further out in trip and dropping slightly in class, she gets a number of ticks.
2 Units She’s Got Pizzazz
Race 5 - 2:35pm AEDT
Listed Doveton Stakes (1200m)
I Am Unstoppable drops back into a far more appropriate race on Zipping Classic Day.
The I Am Invincible entire finished second at each of his first two runs back this time, highlighted by a nice effort behind Baraqiel in the McEwen Stakes, but he failed to beat a runner home in the Group 1 Champions Sprint at his latest.
I’m happy to put a line through that race – he doesn’t tend to go well down the straight, while he steps out this week in peak order and gets the services of Mark Zahra.
2 Units I Am Unstoppable
Race 6 - 3:10pm AEDT
Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m)
Pisces couldn’t have been more impressive in the Blue Sapphire and can make it two in a row in the Sandown Guineas.
The Frosted gelding has hardly turned in a poor performance since debuting, and he returned to action to finish second behind Bittercreek in the Red Anchor Stakes before blowing them away over the 1400m a fortnight ago.
Fitter third-up and out to a mile, he’s my best bet on the program.
4 Units Pisces
Race 7 - 3:45pm AEDT
Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m)
Ain’tnodeeldun turned in an improved performance second-up from a long spell and gets conditions to suit in the Eclipse Stakes.
The Dundeel gelding has always shown ability but has several times been hampered by injury, and he returned from a year in the wilderness to finish down the order over 1400m in the Moonga Stakes in October.
Having enioyed plenty of improvement into a credible third in the Chester Manifold Stakes on Oaks Day, he steps out with further improvement this week and will only be better at the 1800m.
2 Units Ain’tnodeeldun
Race 8 - 4:25pm AEDT
Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m)
I’m keen to have something on the consistent Muramasa when he takes his place in the 2024 Zipping Classic field.
Muramasa is yet to miss placing this time in, finishing second behind Pericles in the So You Think Stakes at The Valley first-up, while subsequently running third in an 1800m handicap and the Ladbrokes Geelong Cup.
He’s around five weeks between starts, but he’s a horse that does tend to race well on fresh legs, we know he’ll love the mile and a half, and he should lob in a nice position from an inside draw.
2 Units E/W Muramasa
Race 9 - 5pm AEDT
Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m)
Tuvalu is second-up and well placed in the Kevin Heffernan Stakes.
The Group 1 winner returned in the late autumn for a hit-and-run win in the Wangoom Handicap at The ‘Bool thanks to a strong on-pace performances, while his fresh performance a fortnight ago heralded a credible fifth behind Kimochi in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke.
With natural improvement and dropping in class, I think that Ethan Brown will take him forward and give them something to chase.
3 Units Tuvalu
Race 10 - 5:40pm AEDT
Group 3 Summoned Stakes (1600m)
There is a case to be made for a few of them in the last on Zipping Classic Day including Regal Vow, who I’ve put on top in the Summoned Stakes.
Regal Vow has returned to action to fill the minors out at Moe in October, while she worked home well to score at Caulfield last time out.
Fitter third-up, this does look an ideal black type target for her, and she represents value at opening odds.
1 Unit E/W Regal Vow