Classy French import Au Revoir has delivered OTI Racing a second impressive staying title at Sandown this afternoon; kicking well in the final straight to take out the featured Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) by a bob of the head over a brave Epingle.

Jumping from the gates well, Au Revoir was immediately led to the fore of the Zipping Classic field; pushing in from barrier 7 to settle in position one passing the post the first time.

Setting a fair tempo rounding onto the back straight, the Singspiel entire was joined on pace by Rialya and pushed three lengths clear of their closest rivals when approaching the final bend.

Finding the final straight in the clear, Au Revoir continued to hold position but was quickly joined by Epingle, who at one stage looked to have the four-year-old beaten when poking a head clear.

Displaying an impressive turn of foot, Kerrin McEvoy pressed Au Revoir forward a final time in the last 100m; poking clear upon crossing the line.

McEvoy delivered a typically strong ride on Au Revoir in the 2014 Zipping Classic and was impressed by the form and class displayed by the four-year-old just one and a half weeks after contesting the Melbourne Cup over two miles.

“It’s a real credit to be able to get this horse back from a Melbourne Cup a week and a half ago to running here and running in really good form,” McEvoy said after crossing the line.

“He’s nice a fresh, he paraded well and he gave me a nice ride throughout.

“He got challenged halfway up the straight but he really laid his ears back at the 300 and was full of running hitting the line.

“I think he stays out here now, so look for him in a light autumn through into this time next year.

“He’s a horse on the up, that’s for sure.”

Managing owner of OTI Racing Terry Henderson was thrilled with Au Revoir’s Zipping Classic victory and confirmed the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) at Sha Tin in December as likely to be the next point of call.

“It was a bad start to the week but here we’ve got two winners and it’s remarkable,” Henderson said.

“The plan is to get them settled in Australia first, he’ll have a very light autumn and hopefully by the time spring comes around he’ll be ready to go again.

“We’ve still got the Hong Kong option – we’ll have a look at the horse in the next few days to see if he’s ready to go to Hong Kong.

“This will make sure he gets a run without any problem hopefully.

“Clear next year it must be the Cup; I think he ran a really great race in the Cup.”

Punters who backed Au Revoir at generous $4.80 odds for success at Ladbrokes.com.au and had signed up for a Ladbrokes Card will already have access to their winnings!

2014 Zipping Classic Results

Finish	No.	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Margin	Bar.	Weight	Starting Price
1	5	AU REVOIR (IRE)	Andre Fabre	Kerrin McEvoy	–	7	59kg	$4.60
2	9	EPINGLE (NZ)	Michael Kent	James McDonald	0.2L	8	57kg	$11
3	4	PRINCE OF PENZANCE (NZ)	Darren Weir	Ms Michelle Payne	2.45L	3	59kg	$3.30F
4	6	SPILLWAY (GB)	David Hayes & Tom Dabernig	Dwayne Dunn	3.45L	1	59kg	$6
5	1	GREEN MOON (IRE)	Robert Hickmott	Steven Arnold	7.2L	2	59kg	$5
6	2	SEA MOON (GB)	Robert Hickmott	Nicholas Hall	9.45L	4	59kg	$15
7	7	RAWNAQ	David Hayes & Tom Dabernig	Michael Walker	12.7L	5	59kg	$21
8	3	RIALYA	Matt Laurie	Chad Schofield	13.45L	6	59kg	$151