Fifteen stayers have been included in 2016 Zipping Classic nominations; highlighted by the pending appearance of some of the Spring Carnival’s standout performers including Melbourne Cup winner Almandin.
Melbourne Cup winner Almandin has been included in Zipping Classic nominations. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Almandin has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his entire racing career so far but has undoubtedly returned to racing in career-best form this time.
Placing sixth in a pair of minors over 1600m and 2000m respectively in June and August, Almandin ran on for a credible fifth in the talent-rich MSC Signs Handicap (2040m) at Moonee Valley on September 3rd.
Returning to winning form in the Listed Harry White Classic (2400m) on September 24th, the Monsun gelding repeated the dose in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) before taking out the race that stops a nation last Tuesday.
Macedon Lodge has dominated 2016 Zipping Classic nominations after prominent owner Lloyd Williams also included Assign, Bondi Beach and Gallante.
Placing second in the Harry White Classic (2400m) and winning the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m), Assign arguably did not get the distance when nineteenth in the Melbourne Cup last time out.
Bondi Beach has found excellent condition this year but could only muster a mid-pack finish in the Melbourne Cup.
Winning each of the Listed Martin Molony Stakes (2514m) and Group 3 Vintage Crop Stakes (2816m) upon resuming in April, the Galileo entire placed third in each of the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes (2414m) and Group 3 Enterprise Stakes (2414m) prior to the Cup.
Winner of the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) in autumn, Gallante resumed this time for second in the Group 2 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) but has since failed to fire in two starts.
Big Orange is another Britain-based globetrotter who has been included in 2016 Zipping Classic nominations after running in the Melbourne Cup.
Winning each of the Group 2 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes (2414m) and Group 2 Goodwood Cup (3200m) before placing tenth in the Melbourne Cup, Big Orange has displayed his best form at a mile-and-a-half and should prove tough to beat in the Zipping Classic.
The international Godolphin contingent has also been well-represented in 2016 Zipping Classic nominations, in the form of the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained Beautiful Romance and Secret Number.
Three-year-old So Si Bon has been a consistent performer amongst his own age bracket this season and is set to be given his first chance amongst open company, after being included in 2016 Zipping Classic nominations.
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2016 Zipping Classic Nominations
| # | Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 221×665111 | ALMANDIN (GER) | G | 7 | Robert Hickmott |
| 2 | 9065×80846 | ALMOONQITH (USA) | H | 7 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig |
| 3 | x1153x9210 | ASSIGN (IRE) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott |
| 4 | 6153×15537 | BEAUTIFUL ROMANCE (GB) | M | 5 | Saeed Bin Suroor |
| 5 | x5x23x11x0 | BIG ORANGE (GB) | G | 6 | Michael Bell |
| 6 | 220x11x330 | BONDI BEACH (IRE) | H | 5 | Robert Hickmott |
| 7 | 16415×0 | CHARLEVOIX | H | 4 | Michael Kent |
| 8 | 69x031x270 | GALLANTE (IRE) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott |
| 9 | 3x67x66142 | NOZOMI | G | 5 | Lee & Anthony Freedman |
| 10 | 4402846×22 | PUCCINI (NZ) | H | 6 | Wayne Walters |
| 11 | 61x2x12x10 | SECRET NUMBER (GB) | G | 7 | Saeed Bin Suroor |
| 12 | 26×16534 | SO SI BON | C | 3 | Robbie Laing |
| 13 | 7029×96238 | TRANSFER ALLOWANCE | G | 7 | Peter Roche |
| 14 | 3087×70873 | TRISTRAM’S SUN (NZ) | G | 8 | Robbie Laing |
| 15 | 324×652725 | WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (NZ) | G | 8 | Chris Waller |
