The Zipping Classic (2400m) is a Group 2 staying race run in late November or early December as a final assignment for Melbourne Cup type gallopers during the spring carnival.
2023 Zipping Classic Results
- 1st: #4 Military Mission
- 2nd: #5 Bankers Choice
- 3rd: #7 Duke De Sessa
Zipping Classic (Sandown Classic) News
- Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title
- 2022 Zipping Classic Field & Odds Update: Without A Fight Scratched
- 2020 Zipping Classic Field & Odds Update: Avilius Firming Favourite
- Savvy Oak Among 2019 Zipping Classic Nominations
- 2018 Zipping Classic nominations include beaten Melbourne Cup favourite Yucatan
The Group 2 Zipping Classic, also known as the Sandown Classic, is a 2400m staying event previously held at Melbourne’s Sandown Racecourse (Ladbrokes Park) after the Flemington four day Melbourne Cup Carnival.
In 2021 the Zipping Classic Day program moved to late November at Caulfield Racecourse where it remained for the 2022 edition.
In 2023 the Zipping Classic ran on the first Saturday in December.
Worth a lucrative $750,000 in prize money having been boosted in 2021, the weight-for-age event is held on the same day as the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m), Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m), Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m), and the Group 3 Summoned Stakes (1600m).
Many of the horses that run in the Sandown Classic will come via the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup or the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, as well as the iconic Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) run over the two miles at Flemington on the first Tuesday of November.
The latest Melbourne Cup graduates to win the Zipping Classic are Southern France (19th) in 2019, Vow And Declare (10th) in 2022, and Military Mission (10th) in 2023.
In 2021 Sound improved on a Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes second to successfully defend his title in the Zipping Classic as a nine-year-old at 19/1.
The 2023 Zipping Classic ran on Saturday December 2, 2023 at Caulfield Racecourse and was won in a big late charge by the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Military Mission ($13).
| Zipping Classic 2023 | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday December 2, 2023 |
| Track: | Caulfield Racecourse |
| Distance: | 2400m |
| Race Type: | Weight-for-age |
| Status: | Group 2 |
| Prize Money: | $750,000 |
2023 Zipping Classic Results
- 1st: #4 Military Mission ($13)
- 2nd: #5 Bankers Choice
- 3rd: #7 Duke De Sessa
The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Melbourne Cup graduate Military Mission ($13) was huge down in grade and distance coming from a long way back with a furlong to go to run over the top of his rivals and post an impressive 2.75 length victory in the 2023 Zipping Classic results at Caulfield.
Click here to read more on the big Zipping Classic 2023 upset by the improving Military Mission.
2023 Zipping Classic Results & Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 | MILITARY MISSION (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Jye McNeil | 7 | 59kg | $13 | |||
| 2 | 5 | BANKERS CHOICE (NZ) | Michael Moroney | John Allen | 2.75L | 6 | 59kg | $8.50 | ||
| 3 | 7 | DUKE DE SESSA (IRE) | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Mark Zahra | 2.95L | 2 | 59kg | $3.50EF | ||
| 4 | 3 | AMADE (IRE) | Phillip Stokes | Zac Spain | 5.7L | 8 | 59kg | $21 | ||
| 5 | 1 | VOW AND DECLARE | Danny O’Brien | Billy Egan | 8.2L | 5 | 59kg | $7 | ||
| 6 | 10 | MURAMASA | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Daniel Moor | 8.3L | 4 | 58kg | $3.50EF | ||
| 7 | 11 | DENY KNOWLEDGE (IRE) | Michael Kent | Ms Jamie Kah | 10.55L | 1 | 57kg | $4.80 | ||
| 8 | 8 | PORT PHILIP (IRE) | Julius Sandhu | Jamie Mott | 10.65L | 3 | 59kg | $71 | ||
| 6 | SERPENTINE (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Michael Dee | 0 | ||||||
| 2 | HUETOR (FR) | Peter & Paul Snowden | Damian Lane | 0 | ||||||
| 9 | SHOCK ’EM OVA (NZ) | Alex Rae | Craig Williams | 0 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2023 Zipping Classic Betting Odds
The latest Zipping Classic 2023 odds will be listed below complete with links to the markets at Ladbrokes.com.au for you to back your Zipping Classic Betting Tips at the right price.
There was a notable upset in 2023 with Military Mission saluting at Zipping Classic odds of $13.
CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST 2023 ZIPPING CLASSIC ODDS (Final Field)
2023 Zipping Classic Form Guide
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2023 ZIPPING CLASSIC FORM GUIDE
2023 Zipping Classic Tips
Stay tuned for our exclusive Zipping Classic 2023 Tips on the $750,000 November staying feature.
- To Win: #10 Muramasa ($4.20 at time of publish) – BET NOW
Open top-half of the market and happy to stick with the in-form four-year-old Muramasa who is narrow favourite at time of publish. This progressive son of Deep Impact has won his last three on the trot including the Group 3 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington last time out by 2.5 lengths. Up in grade and weight here but is a previous Group 1 performer with winning form at the track.
2023 Zipping Classic Field
The Zipping Classic field usually features some talented stayers looking for a final spring Group win. Because the race takes place so late in the spring racing carnival, the Zipping Classic field attracts a host of horses well into their preparation and with plenty of form to look to, including that out of the Melbourne Cup.
Military Mission (10th in 2023) was the last Melbourne Cup graduate to win the Zipping Classic.
The official 2023 Zipping Classic field and barriers are released on the Wednesday prior to the race and will be published in full below.
The Zipping Classic 2023 final field features an open field of stayers including the defending champion Vow And Declare.
Click here for more on the key runners in the 2023 Zipping Classic field and betting markets.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22460×0229 | VOW AND DECLARE | Danny O’Brien | Billy Egan | 6 | 59kg | 106 | ||
| 2 | 653216×067 | HUETOR (FR) | Peter & Paul Snowden | Damian Lane | 5 | 59kg | 108 | ||
| 3 | 83300×9515 | AMADE (IRE) | Phillip Stokes | Zac Spain | 11 | 59kg | 101 | ||
| 4 | 19×9201410 | MILITARY MISSION (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Jye McNeil | 10 | 59kg | 103 | ||
| 5 | 2598×73566 | BANKERS CHOICE (NZ) | Michael Moroney | John Allen | 7 | 59kg | 102 | ||
| 6 | 0x129x2430 | SERPENTINE (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Michael Dee | 9 | 59kg | 100 | ||
| 7 | 131x8x0693 | DUKE DE SESSA (IRE) | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Mark Zahra | 2 | 59kg | 104 | ||
| 8 | 0100×75809 | PORT PHILIP (IRE) | Julius Sandhu | Jamie Mott | 3 | 59kg | 85 | ||
| 9 | 1x822x2113 | SHOCK ’EM OVA (NZ) | Alex Rae | Craig Williams | 8 | 59kg | 86 | ||
| 10 | 25x900x111 | MURAMASA | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Daniel Moor | 4 | 58kg | 102 | ||
| 11 | 931×173641 | DENY KNOWLEDGE (IRE) | Michael Kent | Ms Jamie Kah | 1 | 57kg | 103 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2023 Zipping Classic Nominations
The Zipping Classic 2023 Nominations will be announced on the Monday leading-up to Zipping Classic Day and will be published in full below once released.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 83300×9515 | AMADE (IRE) | G | 10 | Phillip Stokes | 101 |
| 2 | 2598×73566 | BANKERS CHOICE (NZ) | G | 6 | Michael Moroney | 102 |
| 3 | 0762×21323 | CAPTAIN ENVIOUS (NZ) | G | 5 | Paul Preusker | 89 |
| 4 | 931×173641 | DENY KNOWLEDGE (IRE) | M | 6 | Michael Kent | 103 |
| 5 | 131x8x0693 | DUKE DE SESSA (IRE) | H | 5 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 104 |
| 6 | 3x907x0090 | EL BODEGON (IRE) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 106 |
| 7 | 0163536157 | FEARENTLESS | M | 5 | Paul Preusker | 72 |
| 8 | x23D367130 | FERAGO | G | 7 | Patrick F Ryan Jnr | 84 |
| 9 | 51330×7817 | HARMYSIAN (GB) | G | 7 | Clayton Douglas | 83 |
| 10 | 653216×067 | HUETOR (FR) | G | 7 | Peter & Paul Snowden | 108 |
| 11 | 19×9201410 | MILITARY MISSION (IRE) | G | 6 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 103 |
| 12 | 25x900x111 | MURAMASA | G | 4 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 102 |
| 13 | 0100×75809 | PORT PHILIP (IRE) | G | 6 | Julius Sandhu | 85 |
| 14 | 0x129x2430 | SERPENTINE (IRE) | G | 7 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 100 |
| 15 | 1x822x2113 | SHOCK ’EM OVA (NZ) | G | 5 | Alex Rae | 86 |
| 16 | 22460×0229 | VOW AND DECLARE | G | 8 | Danny O’Brien | 106 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Sandown Classic / Zipping Classic History
The Sandown Classic was first run in 1888 and won by Mara however it was originally named the Williamstown Cup before becoming the Sandown Cup and eventually the Sandown Classic. Over the years, the race distance has increased from 11 furlongs to 12 furlongs and 13 furlongs. Second Wind managed to win the event twice in 1930-31, however the true champion of this race is Zipping with four consecutive wins from 2007 to 2010. Zipping’s four straight wins in the Sandown Classic means that the gelding joins Manikato, Tie The Knot and Lord as the only horses to win the same group race consecutively four or more times.
In 2006, Gallant Guru managed to win the Sandown Classic/Queen Elizabeth Stakes double while Sydeston won the Sandown Classic/Cathay Pacific Airways Cup double in 1989.
In 2021 the Zipping Classic ran at Caulfield Racecourse and saw evergreen nine-year-old Sound ($20) go back-to-back.
In 2022 the event ran at Caulfield again and saw Vow And Declare post his first win since the 2019 Melbourne Cup.
Recent Sandown Zipping Classic Winners
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Zipping Classic | 1st | Military Mission | 2 minutes 31.73 seconds |
| 2nd | Bankers Choice | ||
| 3rd | Duke De Sessa | ||
| 2022 Zipping Classic | 1st | Vow And Declare | 2 minutes 28.13 seconds |
| 2nd | Luncies | ||
| 3rd | Persan | ||
| 2021 Zipping Classic | 1st | Sound | 2 minutes 32.65 seconds |
| 2nd | Dr Drill | ||
| 3rd | Wentwood | ||
| 2020 Zipping Classic | 1st | Sound | 2 minutes 37.09 seconds |
| 2nd | Brimham Rocks | ||
| 3rd | Future Score | ||
| 2019 Zipping Classic | 1st | Southern France | 2 minutes 32.01 seconds |
| 2nd | Miss Siska | ||
| 3rd | Chapada | ||
| 2018 Zipping Classic | 1st | The Taj Mahal | 2 minutes 31.52 seconds |
| 2nd | Dal Harraild | ||
| 3rd | Our Libretto | ||
| 2017 Zipping Classic | 1st | The Taj Mahal | 2 minutes 30.09 seconds |
| 2nd | Almandin | ||
| 3rd | Big Duke | ||
| 2016 Zipping Classic | 1st | Beautiful Romance | 2 minutes 29.05 seconds |
| 2nd | Almoonqith | ||
| 3rd | Big Orange | ||
| 2015 Zipping Classic | 1st | Who Shot Thebarman | 2 minutes 29.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Tall Ship | ||
| 3rd | Do You Remember | ||
| 2014 Sandown Classic | 1st | Au Revoir | 2 minutes 32.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Epingle | ||
| 3rd | Prince Of Penzance | ||
| 2013 Sandown Classic | 1st | Sertorius | 2 minutes 30.97 seconds |
| 2nd | Epingle | ||
| 3rd | Queenstown | ||
| 2012 Sandown Classic | 1st | Tanby | 2 minutes 32.01 seconds |
| 2nd | Exceptionally | ||
| 3rd | Precedence | ||
| 2011 Sandown Classic | 1st | Americain | 2 minutes 37.87 seconds |
| 2nd | Manighar | ||
| 3rd | Mourayan | ||
| 2010 Sandown Classic | 1st | Zipping | 2 minutes 39.49 seconds |
| 2nd | Exceptionally | ||
| 3rd | Manighar | ||
| 2009 Sandown Classic | 1st | Zipping | 2 minutes 32.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Purple | ||
| 3rd | Master O’Reilly | ||
| 2008 Sandown Classic | 1st | Zipping | 2 minutes 35 seconds |
| 2nd | Douro Valley | ||
| 3rd | Red Ruler | ||
| 2007 Sandown Classic | 1st | Zipping | 2 minutes 33.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Jukebox Johnny | ||
| 3rd | Baughurst | ||
| 2006 Sandown Classic | 1st | Gallant Guru | 2 minutes 30.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Casual Pass | ||
| 3rd | Show Barry | ||
| 2005 Sandown Classic | 1st | Roman Arch | 2 minutes 33.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Grey Song | ||
| 3rd | Expunge | ||
| 2004 Sandown Classic | 1st | Count Ricardo | 2 minutes 37.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Fantastic Love | ||
| 3rd | Media Puzzle | ||
| 2003 Sandown Classic | 1st | Legible | 2 minutes 29.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Distinctly Secret | ||
| 3rd | Zazzman | ||
| 2002 Sandown Classic | 1st | Hail | 2 minutes 27.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Hill Of Grace | ||
| 3rd | Grey Song | ||
| 2001 Sandown Classic | 1st | Sky Heights | 2 minutes 28.3 seconds |
| 2nd | King Keitel | ||
| 3rd | Cinder Bella | ||
| 2000 Sandown Classic | 1st | Brave Chief | 2 minutes 24.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Forgotten Hero | ||
| 3rd | Pasta Express | ||
