2016 Melbourne Cup winner Almandin has been included in the nominations for the Group 2 $300,000 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Ladbrokes Park Hillside at Sandown on Saturday.

2016 Melbourne Cup winner Almandin, above, is included in the 2017 Zipping Classic nominations. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Robert Hickmott trained Almandin had no luck this year in the Group 1 $6.25m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 7 when twelfth to the Irish raider  Rekindling after being caught wide for most of the trip.

The eight year old had fair form in the lead up to the Melbourne Cup with a win in the Listed $120,000 Japan Racing Association Trophy (2500m) at Flemington on September 16 before finishing fourth to Amelie’s Star in the Group 3 $300,000 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on October 7.

Hickmott has also included stablemates Assign and The Taj Mahal in the Zipping Classic nominations that have been extend until 10am on Tuesday November 14, 2017, after only nine horses were entered today.

The Taj Mahal is coming off a last start fourth to Tosen Stardom in the Group 1 $2m Emirates Stakes (2000m) at Flemington last Saturday while Assign was a last start fifth to the Darren Weir trained Kiwia in the Group 3 $150,000 Priceline Pharmacy Coongy Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on October 21.

Weir has only one nominations for the Zipping Classic, last start Melbourne Cup fourth placegetter Big Duke.

Big Duke was a winner three starts back in the $500,000 Heineken 3 St Leger Stakes (2600m) at Randwick on October 14 before finishing fourth to Who Shot Thebarman in the Group 2 $300,000 McCafe Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) at The Valley on October 28.

Warrnambool trainer Symon Wilde has nominated his improving stayer Dodging Bullets who is the winner of his last two starts, the latest being the $100,000 Kyneton Cup (2000m) at Kyneton on November 8.

Nominations for the 2017 Zipping Classic (2400m)