Tancred Stakes winner Arapaho looking for 2400m triumph in Zipping Classic

Arapaho will finally return to the distance of his Group 1 win in Saturday’s Group 2 Zipping Classic at Caulfield.

Jockey Rachel King and Tancred Stakes winner Arapaho will team up again in Saturday’s Group 2 Zipping Classic at Caulfield. Picture: Getty Images

Returning to the distance of past glories should bring Sydney stayer Arapaho into contention in Saturday’s Group 2 Zipping Classic at Caulfield.

Arapaho will step up to 2400m for the first time on Saturday since his win in last year’s Group 1 Tancred Stakes at Rosehill.

Arapaho beat several Group 1 winners in his Tancred Stakes success before running fourth in the Sydney Cup at his next outing.

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However, circumstances have prevented the French-bred galloper from competing beyond 2000m until Saturday’s $750,000 contest.

A solid fifth behind star mare Via Sistina in the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington primed the stayer for his return to 2400m in the Zipping Classic.

Trainer Bjorn Baker said Arapaho’s Champions Stakes effort showed the now eight-year-old was in the right place to post his first win in more than 18 months at Caulfield.

“He’s got a pretty good record at 2400(m),” Baker said.

“His last run in the Champions Stakes was very good so hopefully he can improve off that.

“He’s been in good races, and I thought he went really well third-up last time in.

“The 2400(m) probably suits better now.”

Jockey Rachel King will ride Arapaho and Queues Likely at Caulfield on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

Ladbrokes rated Arapaho as the $5 equal favourite along with the Gavin Bedggood-trained Kingswood in early Zipping Classic betting.

Baker said forecast rain for Melbourne in the coming days would help Arapaho’s chances as it would the stable’s other Caulfield runner Queues Likely.

Queues Likely will make her Melbourne debut in the Group 3 Summoned Stakes after two starts for Baker in Sydney.

The British-bred mare won at Group 3 level and placed in Group 2 company in Germany, but Baker said he was still learning about the five-year-old, who finished seven lengths from the winner in a Group 2 race over 1400m second-up.

“She was probably just looking for a touch further last time,” Baker said.

“She’s got form in Germany, but I think she’s a nice horse.

“Take out her last start when it just wasn’t run to suit and she’s well and goes well left-handed so it’s worth the trip down with her.

“She’s probably looking for a mile and a bit of cut will be ideal.”

Jockey Rachel King will ride both imports at Caulfield.

Originally published as Tancred Stakes winner Arapaho looking for 2400m triumph in Zipping Classic