Raceday focus: Tips, analysis and best bets for Zipping Classic Day on Saturday
Leading trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace are set to be rewarded for their patience with imported mare Steinem at Saturday’s Zipping Classic meeting.
SuperRacing
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperRacing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Herald Sun form analyst Brad Waters previews every race for Saturday’s Herald Sun Zipping Classic meeting at Caulfield. Plus, Nick Quinn’s Mailbag.
BEST BET
STEINEM (Race 5, No.9)
Steinem was terrific at Group 1 level when only three lengths from Colette in the Empire Rose Stakes. She’ll relish the big class drop at Caulfield.
VALUE BET
SO SI BON (Race 8, No.1)
So Si Bon was terrific when beaten less than a length in the Cranbourne Cup and he’ll be better suited on firmer ground. He’s capable of winning another Eclipse Stakes.
EARLY QUADDIE
1, 2, 4, 7/1, 2, 3/2, 3, 7, 9, 12, 13/1, 9
$100 flexi for 69.4 per cent
BIG6
2, 3, 7, 9, 12, 13/1, 9/1, 6, 9/1/1, 6/ 1, 2, 4
$100 flexi for 46.29 per cent
QUADDIE
Race 6: 1, 6, 9
Race 7: 1
Race 8: 1, 6, 7, 8
Race 9: 1, 2, 4
$100 flexi for 277 per cent
RACE 1 (12:35PM): MERSON COOPER STAKES (1000m)
No easy start for punters with eight of the 10 runners making their debut but if you must play, KIKO (7) has jumped out well at Mornington and is worth a sneaky little each-way ticket at $19. BRERETON (1) has done well at his two runs to date and has the advantage of race experience. EBHAAR (6) has trialled well in Sydney and will be hard to hold out. MOKO (9) is well-bred and should run on well late for the Anthony and Sam Freedman camp.
SUGGESTED BET: Small each-way bet on Kiko
TAB MARKET MOVER: Ebhaar $4.6 – $2.90
RACE 2 (1:10PM): SANDOWN CUP (3200m)
TRUE MARVEL (2) will find this harder than his 16-length romp at The Valley but his record in races over 3000m and further is terrific. He can remain unbeaten in Melbourne. LADY IN THE SKY (7) went down narrowly in an easier race at Bendigo but she could measure up to this. ACCOUNTABILITY (4) was solid behind an in-form stayer at Flemington and should see out the 3200m. SWEET THOMAS (1) will give away 4kg to his rivals but has a good 3200m record.
SUGGESTED BET: True Marvel to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: True Marvel $4.60 – $3.30
RACE 3 (1:45PM): TWILIGHT GLOW STAKES (1400m)
DECENT RAINE (1) backs up from her easy win at Ballarat last Saturday. She has drawn a touch awkwardly but is in well at the weights and can score again. STAR OF CHAOS (2) chased home the potential star Espiona at Flemington last time out and is one of the dangers here. LADY OF HONOUR (3) is a developing filly that can be competitive in this harder assignment. ALLEGRETTA (9) resumed with a good maiden win and is worth including in exotics.
SUGGESTED BET: Decent Raine to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Star Of Chaos $6 – $5.
RACE 4 (2:20PM): DOVETON STAKES (1000m)
This is the hardest race on the Zipping Classic card with up to eight runners having a winning chance. STARRY LEGEND (12) could be ready to win again after a good effort when nothing went right at Ballarat last Saturday. ENTHAAR (9) will be hard to beat with extra fitness following her first-up second at Flemington. YULONG COMMAND (13) has blistering early speed and can give them something to chase. PARSIFAL (2) is an honest sprinter that will be fitter for his first-up run at Flemington.
SUGGESTED BET: Starry Legend each-way
TAB MARKET MOVER: Curran $8 – $5
RACE 5 (3PM): GROUP 3 SUMMONED STAKES (1600m)
STEINEM (9) has produced solid efforts behind Colette at her last two starts, including in the Empire Rose Stakes at Group 1 level last time out. She’ll enjoy the class drop here. QUANTUM MECHANIC (1) is another dropping back from Group 1 class after a solid effort in the Cantala Stakes at Flemington. BELLE PLAISIR (3) looked in need of more ground at Cranbourne and should enjoy the 1600m. AGREEABLE (8) had no luck at Flemington last start and likes racing at Caulfield.
SUGGESTED BET: Steinem to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Steinem $6 – $3.50.
RACE 6 (3:40PM): GROUP 2 SANDOWN GUINEAS (1600m)
Tough edition of the Sandown Guineas for punters but CARDINAL GEM (6) charged home from a long way back at Flemington second-up and will be fitter for that. He should handle the 1600m. BLUE ARMY (9) was a strong winner in good time when resuming and is bred to be suited at this trip second-up. BRIGANTINE (1) was an honest runner-up in the Carbine Club Stakes at Flemington and might find this a touch easier. FESTIVAL DANCER (12) is racing in terrific form in NSW and should be thereabouts again.
SUGGESTED BET: Cardinal Gem to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Festival Dancer $7.50 – $3.90.
RACE 7 (4:20PM): GROUP 2 HERALD SUN ZIPPING CLASSIC (2400m)
Hard to go past SPANISH MISSION (1) in what looks the perfect race for him after his fighting third in the Melbourne Cup. He drops back to 2400m but is heavily advantaged at weight-for-age. WARNING (2) led throughout to score at Flemington last start and would be well served adopting similar tactics. WENTWOOD (4) and SOUND (3) also come out of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and are capable of filling placings behind the world class stayer Spanish Mission.
SUGGESTED BET: Trifecta – 1 / 2, 3, 4 / 2, 3, 4
TAB MARKET MOVER: Spanish Mission $1.60 – $1.50.
RACE 8 (5PM): GROUP 3 ECLIPSE STAKES (1800m)
SO SI BON (1) won this race last year and goes into his bid for back-to-back wins on the back of an excellent effort in the Cranbourne Cup. He’s suited at Caulfield and is a great each-way chance. OUR PLAYBOY (6) is on trial at 1800m but ran on well at the end of 1600m in the Cranbourne Cup. STARELLE (7) did it tough out wide but tried hard in the Matriarch Stakes at Flemington but should get a softer run this time. DJUKON (8) ran on hard to get up narrowly at Flemington but the form out of that race stood up at Ballarat last Saturday.
SUGGESTED BET: So Si Bon each-way.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Our Playboy $2.80 – $2.70.
RACE 9 (5:40PM): GROUP 3 KEVIN HEFFERNAN STAKES (1400m)
Interesting race to finish the Caulfield meeting but AGE OF CHIVALRY (4) will be well suited back to 1400m after working too hard in the Cranbourne Cup. He should get the perfect run. STREETS OF AVALON (1) is suited at weight-for-age and will find this easier than chasing Nature Strip down the Flemington straight. SURPRISE BABY (2) hasn’t raced for a year but is classy when right so include him in calculations despite the short trip. I AM SUPERMAN (7) was OK in Sydney feature sprints at his last two runs but races best at 1400m.
SUGGESTED BET: Age Of Chivalry to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Sinawann $11 – 8.
NICK QUINN’S MAILBAG
TAB tipping expert Nick Quinn gives his suggested bets for the main races at Caulfield and Rosehill.
BEST BET: Our Playboy (Caulfield, R8 No.6)
VALUE BET: Najmaty (Rosehill, R5 No.10)
LAY OF THE WEEK: Buba (Wyong, Thursday, R7 No.2)
SANDOWN GUINEAS (GROUP 2, 1600M)
Caulfield, R6, 3.40pm
There has been strong money for the Matthew Smith-trained Festival Dancer chasing a fifth-straight win.
She has continued to step up in grade and with Craig Williams in the saddle has been backed from $7.50 into $3.90 to head the market.
I am siding with second-elect Brigantine who has been knocking on the door in some strong races.
The James Cummings-trained colt followed a Randwick win with placings in the Guineas Prelude and Group 2 Stan Fox, and last start was runner-up to Fangirl in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes.
Port Louis is still eligible for maiden grade and is one for the multiples with a victory not far away.
THE TIP: BRIGANTINE each-way
ZIPPING CLASSIC (GROUP 2, 2400M)
Caulfield, R7, 4.20pm
Spanish Mission looks well placed to win his first Australian race here.
The Yorkshire Cup winner ran a tremendous third in the 2021 Melbourne Cup and has now joined Peter Moody’s stable.
Spanish Mission opened $1.70 in pre-post markets on Monday and was backed into $1.40 by the time final field was declared.
He reopened $1.60 and has firmed further into $1.55.
The last time Spanish Mission raced over 2400m he won the Jockey Club Derby at Belmont Park in the US.
Quite simply, he is a world-class galloper who should win this.
Warning has been racing in terrific form and should run into the money. He has won his past two starts including at Flemington in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes when ridden more positively.
THE TIP: SPANISH MISSION in multi bets
SYDNEY HANDICAP (1100M)
Rosehill, R5, 2.40pm
There has been early support for two runners with Bacchanalia backed from $8 into $4.20 and Mr Mosaic $8 into $5.50.
Bacchanalia caught the eye behind Profiteer first-up at Flemington and it is easy to see why he has been backed.
I expect the improver at double-figure odds will be Najmaty.
The Hawkes-trained filly has been racing better than her recent results indicate, and from a good draw and with James McDonald in the saddle can measure up at double-figure odds.
THE TIP: NAJMATY EACH-WAY
STARLIGHT STAKES (1100M)
Rosehill, R7, 4pm
The money has come for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Snapdancer.
She has not raced since February but showed in a recent barrier trial win she’s ready to fire.
She should be on speed and it is easy to see why punters fancy her.
She opened $6.50 and has been backed into $3.90 with one bet of $1000 each-way at $5.50.
Tambo’s Mate and Southern Lad opened joint $5 market leaders, but there has been more support for Tambo’s Mate.
If you are chasing one at odds, there has been specking for Juan Diva from $21 into $13.
THE TIP: SNAPDANCER
Pakenham Synthetic Monday tips: $10 value bet
Form expert Brad Waters analyses Monday’s Pakenham Synthetic meeting, presenting his best bets, value selection and jockey to follow.
Winx’s Snitzel colt to be sold at Inglis Easter Yearling Sale
Could this be the most valuable thoroughbred yearling offered for sale anywhere in the world next year?