Zipping Classic: Southern France shows true colours after Melbourne Cup flop

Irish import Southern France could head back overseas after the Melbourne Cup disappointment reprised his best form with a slashing win in the Group 2 Zipping Classic.

Jockey Mark Zahra rides Southern France to victory in the Zipping Classic. Picture: AAP

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Irish import Southern France could head back overseas after the Melbourne Cup disappointment reprised his best form with a slashing Group 2 Zipping Classic triumph.

One of the spruik horses of the spring, the former Aidan O’Brien-trained galloper finished 19th in the Melbourne Cup for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

Maher said a late decision to contest the Zipping Classic came after Southern France galloped well through the week.

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Southern France stormed home from the back of the field to win the Zipping Classic. Picture: AAP

“I wanted to give him a gallop just to see how he was before we accepted and he worked really well on Wednesday,” Maher said. “That gave me the confidence to give him the nod.”

Southern France became the eighth horse since 2008 to win the Zipping Classic after contesting the Melbourne Cup.

How good was that! Southern France romps home from the back of the field and wins the Zipping Classic in dominant fashion. pic.twitter.com/Ky6JfyqODT

— Racing.com (@Racing) November 16, 2019

Near the tail of the field and under pressure from jockey Mark Zahra on the turn, Southern France ($3) unleashed a devastating burst to down Miss Siska ($10) and Chapada ($19).

“He needed a bit of a shake up but Mark rode him well,” Maher said.

“He had him back a bit further than we thought but there was a genuine tempo and he quickened up nicely.

“His run was a shade disappointing, and he didn’t get a lot of luck, in the Melbourne Cup but he's made up for it now and it was a good win today.”

Maher said there were a couple of options for Southern France who could be sent back abroad for an international campaign or remain in Australia.

Southern France bounced back from his flop in the Melbourne Cup to score a big win in the Zipping Classic. Picture: AAP

“There’s a couple of plans I mapped out the other day,” Maher said. “He could head straight back and maybe go to Dubai or he may stay here and head towards maybe the Australian Cup into a Tancred Stakes.”

The Zipping Classic was Southern France's fourth win from 16 starts including a victory in the Irish St Leger Trial earlier this year.

SANDOWN CUP

Unable to secure a Melbourne Cup start despite the best efforts of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, 3200m specialist Azuro will be given the chance to chase Sydney Cup glory after victory in the Listed Sandown Cup.

The import underlined his effectiveness at the traditional Cup distance by logging his third win from four attempts at 3200m in yet another carnival success for leading syndicator OTI.

Winner of the Stayer’s Cup and Queensland Cup, Azuro ($2.90) was too strong for stablemate Wall Of Fire ($6) and Lindsay Park’s Neufbosc ($9.50) as he delivered connections a decent consolation for missing out on a Melbourne Cup start.

We knew Azuro would stay the trip, he loves the two miles and salutes in the Sandown Cup. @cmaherracing pic.twitter.com/YgwMwp9cKV

— Racing.com (@Racing) November 16, 2019

Maher and Eustace attempted to gain a Cup berth through The Bart Cummings, Andrew Ramsden Stakes and Hotham Handicap, with the gelding finishing sixth, fifth and third.

Victory in any of those races would have secured a Cup start.

Given a patient, calculating ride by Mark Zahra, the six-year-old and Wall Of Fire will be aimed at the Group 1 Sydney Cup in April or the Group 2 Adelaide Cup in May.

“I didn’t think there was much between them and it showed,” Maher said. “The other horse, Wall Of Fire, came home strongly late but credit to Azuro. He’s got an impressive record over the two miles now. He’ll have a little rest now and probably head on to the Sydney Cup.”

OTI landed the Hotham Handicap with Joseph O’Brien-trained Downdraft before Geelong Cup runner-up True Self won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes for the syndicator.

Originally published as Zipping Classic: Southern France shows true colours after Melbourne Cup flop