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The final Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival meeting lights up Caulfield on Saturday with the action headlined by the always popular Zipping Classic.
A typically top-class is assembled for this year’s Group 2 $750,000 Zipping Classic (2400m) with markets at Ladbrokes.com.au currently led by the Grahame Begg trained She’s A Hustler.
The early mover backed in from $4 to $3.20, the ultra-consistent Ace High mare is yet to run outside the top two in her 10 career starts to date and looks right up to the task this weekend.
While yet to win over further than 2100m, the bonny five-year-old has been racing in outstanding fashion this prep including a last start second in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on a Heavy (8) rated track.
She is drawn to get the favours from barrier three with Jordan Childs sticking with, but history is against her with just two mares having won the Zipping Classic since 2000.
The danger occupying the second line of Zipping Classic betting and one-time favourite, Light Infantry Man has eased out to $4.50 to hand Ciaron Maher his second success and first as a solo trainer.
Winner of the autumn’s Group 1 Australian Cup at HQ, the talented Fast Company seven-year-old is out to shrug off his Caulfield hoodoo being unplaced in three previous runs at the track.
He remains winless since his two-length romp home in the Group 1 back in March but is being kept safe in the markets down in grade off a solid fifth behind the mighty Via Sistina in the Champions Stakes on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott won the Zipping Classic two years back with Military Mission (2023) and return in 2025 with a livewire chance in Alalcance ($5).
The six-year-old grey daughter of Mastercraftsman is one of the proven stayers in the mix boasting a standout 2400m record (5:2-3-0) and winning form up to 2600m.
With the distance a query for a few of her key rivals, the fact Alalcance is up to her pet trip now off a third in the Matriarch bodes well.
She was on fire in the autumn going back-to-back by big margins in the Group 3 NE Manion Cup (2400m) and Group 2 Chairman’s Handicap (2600m) in Sydney before a failed Sydney Cup bid over the two miles.
Following her eye-catching return, she presents fitter second-up on Saturday drawn a dream in barrier four for big race specialist Craig Williams.
A further two runners in the Zipping Classic field are currently under double-figures for the win with the Chris Waller trained Ocean Park six-year-old Kovalica ($8.50) after his first win since Brisbane’s Group 2 The Q22 in the winter and his class stablemate Etna Rosso ($9.50) coming off a Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) second in the wet at Flemington.
Waller’s sole Zipping Classic success was a decade ago with Who Shot Thebarman (2015).
The 2025 Zipping Classic is set to run as Caulfield Race 8 at 4:25pm (AEDT) on Saturday’s 10-race card in Melbourne.
Zipping Classic 2025 Odds
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1. Light Infantry Man (9)
J: Ethan Brown 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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| Most recently 5th of 11 at Flemington in the G1 Mackinnon on November 8 over 2000m, on a wet track; 5 len behind Via Sistina carrying 59kg at $16. The start before that 5th of 8 at Moonee Valley in the G1 Cox Plate on October 25 over 2040m, 3.5 len behind Via Sistina with 59kg at $31. Coming through far better races, his best wins this. | ||
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2. Kovalica (5)
J: Beau Mertens 59kg
T: Chris Waller |
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| Most recently second last of 11 at Flemington in the G1 Mackinnon on November 8 over 2000m, on a wet track; 9 len behind Via Sistina with 59kg at $19. The race before that 3rd in a small field at Randwick in the G3 Craven Plt on October 25 over 1800m, 2.75 len behind Lindermann carrying 59kg at $8. Easy to forgive last time, | ||
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3. Smokin' Romans (14)
J: Ben Melham 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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| Most recently 14th of 24 at Flemington in the G1 Melb Cup on November 4 over 3200m, slow going 12 len behind Half Yours carrying 53.5kg at $61. The race before that 8th of 11 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Mv Cup on October 24 over 2500m, 4.5 len behind Onesmoothoperator carrying 56.5kg at $4.40. Tough gelding, this trip will suit better than the Melbourne Cup. | ||
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4. Alenquer (12)
J: Ben Allen 59kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
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| At the latest run 7th of 11 at Flemington in the G1 Mackinnon on November 8 over 2000m, on a wet track; 8 len behind Via Sistina carrying 59kg at $81. Before that came from midfield; 2nd of 9 at Moonee Valley in the G3 Jra Cup on October 25 over 2040m, 1.5 len behind Star Of India carrying 57kg at $61. The run two back was quite good, he could surprise at huge odds. | ||
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5. Hezashocka (11)
J: Harry Coffey 59kg
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
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| Last start 6th of 12 at Flemington in the G3 Queen Eliz on November 8 over 2600m, on heavy track; 8 len behind Whisky On The Hill with 56.5kg at $21. The start before that got back early 10th of 14 at Bendigo in the G3 Bdgo Cup on October 29 over 2400m, 7 len behind Sayedaty Sadaty with 54.5kg at $51. Bit better last time, minor hope on best form. | ||
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6. Interpretation (1)
J: Teo Nugent 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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| Comes here off a 31-day let-up. Most recently 5th of 14 at Bendigo in the G3 Bdgo Cup on October 29 over 2400m, 4.5 len behind Sayedaty Sadaty with 54kg at $16. Before that 10th of 16 at Flemington in the G3 Bart Cummings on October 4 over 2520m, 8 len behind Valiant King with 57kg at $31. Fancy his best days are behind him. | ||
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7. Brayden Star (2)
J: John Allen 59kg
T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
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| Last start 4th of 12 at Flemington in the G3 Queen Eliz on November 8 over 2600m, on a wet track; 4.5 len behind Whisky On The Hill carrying 57.5kg at $31. The run before that second last of 11 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Mv Cup on October 24 over 2500m, 8 len behind Onesmoothoperator with 57kg at $12. Going okay but this will test. | ||
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8. Etna Rosso (8)
J: Michael Dee 59kg
T: Chris Waller |
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| Form hard to fault. Most recently made ground from midfield; 2nd of 12 at Flemington in the G3 Queen Eliz on November 8 over 2600m, in the wet; 1.0 len behind Whisky On The Hill carrying 58kg at $7. The race before that came from midfield; 2nd of 10 at Randwick in the G3 St Leger on October 18 over 2600m, nose behind Travolta carrying 57.5kg at $21. Not far away last time. Going well, in the mix again. | ||
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9. Strawberry Rock (10)
J: Declan Bates 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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| Last start struggled in the run home; 9th of 12 at Flemington in the G3 Queen Eliz on November 8 over 2600m, on a wet track; 13 len behind Whisky On The Hill carrying 54kg at $51. The start before that 6th of 14 at Bendigo in the G3 Bdgo Cup on October 29 over 2400m, 5 len behind Sayedaty Sadaty with 54kg at $51. Looking to others. | ||
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10. Berkshire Breeze (7)
J: Mark Zahra 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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| Comes off a 36 day let-up. At the latest run 4th of 11 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Mv Cup on October 24 over 2500m, 1.2 len behind Onesmoothoperator with 55kg at $5. The race before that 6th of 16 at Flemington in the G3 Bart Cummings on October 4 over 2520m, 5.5 len behind Valiant King carrying 57kg at $8. Going okay, each way hope. | ||
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11. Garachico (6)
J: Billy Egan 59kg
T: Dominic Sutton |
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| Second run back. First-up after seven months 7th of 9 at Flemington in the LR Cup Day Plate on November 4 over 1800m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Kingswood with 54kg at $41. Previously second-up ran on from midfield; 2nd of 11 at Moonee Valley in the LR Torney Cup on February 21 over 2500m, 5.5 len behind Deakin carrying 54.5kg at $4.80. Can't have. | ||
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12. Star Vega (13)
J: Lachlan Neindorf 59kg
T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
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| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming eased back early on 4th in a small field at Sale in the LR Sale Cup on October 26 over 1600m, on a wet track; 4 len behind El Rocko with 56kg at $13. Second-up 2nd of 8 at Moe Moe Cup on November 16 over 2050m, 2.75 len behind Howlin' Rain carrying 59kg at $3.90. Harder again, risking. | ||
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13. Alalcance (4)
J: Craig Williams 57kg
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
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| Racing second-up today. Last run made some head-way from midfield; 3rd of 12 at Flemington in the G2 Matriarch on November 8 over 2000m, in the wet; 5.5 len behind Sunset Park with 58kg at $6.50. At only start last preparation 6th of 8 at Wyong in the LR Wyong Cup on September 5 over 2100m, 3.5 len behind Saltcoats carrying 61kg at $6.50. Fitter now and 2400m suits her much better. | ||
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14. She's A Hustler (3)
J: Jordan Childs 57kg
T: Grahame Begg |
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| Form hard to fault. Last start held ground to the line 2nd of 12 at Flemington in the G2 Matriarch on November 8 over 2000m, on heavy track; 1.3 len behind Sunset Park carrying 57kg at $2.70. The run before that favourite; won by 1.3 len at Moonee Valley G3 Tesio Stks October 25 over 2040m defeating Sea What I See with 54kg at $3.80. Tough effort last time, can't see 2400m being an issue. | ||
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