Sentimental favourite and defending champion Zipping will not be one of the horses named in the 2011 Australian Cup field this morning after the Lloyd Williams-owned nine-year-old was ruled out of a shot at back-to-back Australian Cups due to injury.
Danehill gelding Zipping narrowly held on to defeat Sirmione in the $1 million Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) 12 months ago and was one of the early favourites in the early 2011 Australian Cup betting markets to win again this Saturday March 5 at Flemington.
Yesterday, however, connections including trainer Robert Hickmott reported that Zipping had sustained severe bruising to his off-hind after kicking out of his box at his Macedon Lodge stables and would have to miss the million showdown on the Super Saturday of Racing this weekend.
Ruled out of the remainder of the autumn carnival, the $4.5 million earner’s future is now in doubt.
Zipping enjoyed a career best campaign last spring scoring his first Group 1 victory in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington on October 3.
Other highlights during Zipping’s spring preparation included a second to So You Think in the Group 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley and winning a record fourth successive Sandown Classic in mid-November.
The evergreen warhorse made his return to racing with a 10th place finish behind Typhoon Tracy first-up in the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 12 and was reportedly on track for another shot at Australian Cup glory before his injury.
With Zipping out, Williams could still have a possible three Australian Cup contenders when the field is out later this morning with improving four-year-old Linton, 2008 Melbourne Cup second placegetter C’est La Guerre and Mourayan.
The 2011 Australian Cup final field of acceptors and barrier draw will be released this morning and published here first at Races.com.au.
Last start winner of the St George Stakes, Heart Of Dreams remains the firming favourite in the Australian Cup odds at Luxbet sitting at a quote of around $4.20.
Get ready to lock in your Australian Cup selections and access the best Super Saturday of Racing odds by signing up with Luxbet now!
