The headline race of the final Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival meeting at Betfair Park Sandown Hillside today is Race 7 – the $350,000 Group 2 Sandown Classic (2400m) due to jump at 4:10pm (AEDST).

The 2010 Sandown Classic field features eight gallopers lead by red hot favourite Zipping, the in-form veteran paying $1.75 through Luxbet to win their fourth successive Sandown Classic today.

The Lloyd Williams-owned Zipping is drawn ideally on the rails in barrier one and is coming off the ideal preparation for this most recently winning the Turnbull Stakes (2000m), running second to So You Think in the Cox Plate (2040m) and then coming in fourth in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) last start.

Nine-year-old Zipping ticks all the boxes for the Sandown Classic today and looks impossible to beat, which is why the Races.com.au team are sticking with the old warhorse and favourite in Race 7.

Sandown – Race 7 – Sandown Classic Tips

• Races.com.au Favourite: #1 Zipping – Rated Special to Win at $1.75 Luxbet
• Best Place Picks: #3 Manighar and #2 Ginga Dude

With Zipping at such a short quote to win, for value punters should try the Sandown Classic Trifecta and pick the top three finishers in the exact order.

Luca Cumani’s Manighar is the third favourite in the betting markets, but we have them as the second finisher today.

Dropping back in class after two big Group 1 runs in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, Manighar should improve in the Classic.

The five-year-old was not disgraced finishing fifth to Descarado on a Heavy track in the Caulfield Cup and then ran seventh in the Melbourne Cup on a Slow track.

The 2400m also suites Manighar to a tee, the galloper having won four of their five starts over the distance.

Kiwi runner Ginga Dude is the other best place chance, the David Jones Cup winner coming off a third in the Mackinnon on Derby Day and set to start from barrier six.

Update: no. 6 Kidnapped has been scratched from the 2010 Sandwon Classic.

View the full 2010 Sandown Classic odds and betting options and get our Trifecta at the best price in Australia by signing up with leading online bookmaker Luxbet now!