SANDOWN PREVIEW November 14, 2009 SANDOWN CLASSIC (WFA 2400M) Race 7, 4.10pm (Melbourne time) Since the Sandown Classic (formerly the Sandown Cup) was changed from a handicap to a weight-for-age race in 1999, it generally has been won by a top-class galloper. Zipping, who goes around again, has won the past two editions of the race, coming off solid performances in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup; Australian Cup winner Roman Arch won in 2005 and the classy mare Legible won in 2003; New Zealand Derby winner Hail won in 2002 and Caulfield Cup winner Sky Heights won in 2001. In the past 25 years, only six horses have won the Sandown Classic off a campaign that included a run in the Melbourne Cup. This year, only Master O’Reilly (fourth in the Cup behind Shocking) and Zipping’s stablemate C’Est La Guerre (eighth) are doing the Cup-Classic double. This is a tricky race to assess, especially because Zipping, who is aiming for his third consecutive win, went mad in the starting stalls at Flemington before the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (wfa 2000m) at Flemington on Derby day. He was on the ground, under the stalls, for ages before he climbed to his feet. He was withdrawn and missed a run in the Cup. Trainer John Sadler said at the time that Zipping would miss the Sandown Classic. “Who knows what this has done to his head, even if he is physically okay,” he said. Zipping will be at Sandown, Sadler won’t. The trainer has resigned from the Lloyd Williams stable and assistant Robert Hickmott takes over. With or
SPEED MAP Predicted positions on settling
without Sadler, we are left with little knowledge of how Zipping’s mind will be when he lines up on Saturday – I doubt anyone will know until he is loaded. If the right Zipping turns up, then he is the horse to beat. From barrier 10, he will go back and jockey Michael Rodd will try for a late rush as he did last year to grab a last-stride victory. The other ifs include Master O’Reilly, who hasn’t won since the 2007 Group 1 Caulfield Cup – he promises a lot but doesn’t deliver; the same can be said for C’Est La Guerre, who hasn’t won since the 2008 Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m, Ellerslie). Raffaello is having his first try at 2400 metres, and at weight-for-age. Scenic Shot has the right form to win – he dominated the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (wfa 2000m) at Flemington on Derby day, but jockey Shane Scriven will need to get him away from the inside rail because it is common knowledge in the Dan Morton stable that Scenic Shot prefers to be outside horses, not squashed against the rail. That leaves me with the mare Purple. She is a quality, staying mare and she’s the fresh horse on the scene. This race always has been her spring target. The way I can see this race being run, jockey Kerrin McEvoy might be able to dictate the tempo in front, as he did when Purple won the Group 1 Storm Queen Stakes (2000m, Rosehill) in the autumn. I don’t see much between Purple, Scenic Shot and a switched-on Zipping. It could be that you can back all three. The tips: Purple from Scenic Shot, Zipping, Miss Maren and Master O’Reilly.
AND ALSO Good horses remain And Also’s focus for perhaps the final time until the new year, with Sandown Hillside holding the aces in the G2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) and the G2 Sandown Classic (2400m). In the two races, the suggestion is to try to pick it in two. The Guineas is a field to suit Kidnapped – only nine runners on a big track with a long straight should allow Kerrin McEvoy to sit, pull out wide and storm home. And win. Not a lot of value, though, just into black figures – especially when the filly Majestic Music is racing so well. She has been the consolation prize for the Macdonald/Gluyas stable and rider Clare Lindop, who had anticipated so much from Rebel Raider in much bigger races before he went amiss. At $6.50 this Miss is good at a mile, so back one, save on the other. The Classic has been just that in the past two years with extraordinary wins by Zipping. The query this year is not that Zipping is an 8YO, but that he might be spooked after his barrier problem (see preview) at Flemington. For that reason, include stablemate C’Est La Guerre in your betting plan. A hard track would be a concern, but he showed Zipping-like leadup form in the Melbourne Cup. It’s an even field with a lot of ifs and buts, but there looks to be value from what is fast becoming known as Team Williams, with old Z at $4.50-$5 and La G at $10-$12. And they’ll be well handled by the spring’s hot jocks, Michael Rodd and Nick Hall. Stephen Howell