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The Zipping Classic (2400m) is a Group 2 staying race run in late November or early December as a final assignment for Melbourne Cup type gallopers during the spring carnival.
Zipping Classic (Sandown Classic) News
- 2024 Zipping Classic Results: Arapaho Salutes
- Military Mission Fires in 2023 Zipping Classic Results
- Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title
- 2022 Zipping Classic Field & Odds Update: Without A Fight Scratched
- 2020 Zipping Classic Field & Odds Update: Avilius Firming Favourite
The Group 2 Zipping Classic, also known as the Sandown Classic, is a 2400m staying event previously held at Melbourne’s Sandown Racecourse after the Flemington four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival.
2025 Zipping Classic Results
Stay tuned for the official 2025 Zipping Classic results and finishing order on Saturday November 29, 2025.
- 1st: No. 14 She’s A Hustler ($3.10F)
- 2nd: No. 1 Light Infantry Man
- 3rd: No. 8 Etna Rosso
Winning Margin: 0.35 lengths
Winning Time: 2:31.19
She’s A Hustler ($3.10F) delivered a career-defining performance to head the 2025 Zipping Classic results at Caulfield on Saturday.
Trained by Grahame Begg and ridden by Jordan Childs, the five-year-old Ace High mare stepped up to weight-for-age company for the first time in the 2400m Group 2 feature and proved her staying credentials.
Despite appearing vulnerable around the home turn, she balanced up strongly and surged past multiple Group 1 winner Light Infantry Man in the final strides to score by a short neck, with Etna Rosso finishing third.
The victory marked her first Group 2 success and confirmed Begg’s plan to target the 2026 Caulfield Cup, run over the same course and distance.
Already a consistent performer with seven wins and four seconds from 11 starts, She’s A Hustler will now be spelled before being aimed at an autumn and winter campaign in Queensland, a pathway that has produced recent Caulfield Cup champions.
Zipping Classic 2025 Results
|
1st
14. She's A Hustler (3)
J: Jordan Childs 57kg
T: Grahame Begg |
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2nd
1. Light Infantry Man (9)
J: Ethan Brown 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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3rd
8. Etna Rosso (8)
J: Michael Dee 59kg
T: Chris Waller |
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4th
4. Alenquer (11)
J: Ben Allen 59kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
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5th
2. Kovalica (5)
J: Beau Mertens 59kg
T: Chris Waller |
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6th
13. Alalcance (4)
J: Craig Williams 57kg
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
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|
7th
3. Smokin' Romans (13)
J: Ben Melham 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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|
8th
7. Brayden Star (2)
J: John Allen 59kg
T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
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9th
12. Star Vega (12)
J: Lachlan Neindorf 59kg
T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
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10th
6. Interpretation (1)
J: Teo Nugent 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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11th
11. Garachico (6)
J: Billy Egan 59kg
T: Dominic Sutton |
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12th
10. Berkshire Breeze (7)
J: Mark Zahra 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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13th
5. Hezashocka (10)
J: Harry Coffey 59kg
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
In 2021 the Zipping Classic Day program moved to late November at Caulfield Racecourse where it remained for the 2022 edition. In 2023 the Zipping Classic ran on the first Saturday in December, while since 2024 it has taken place on the last Saturday of November.
Worth a lucrative $750,000 in prize money having been boosted in 2021, the weight-for-age event is currently held on the same day as the Group 3 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1400m) and the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m).
Many of the horses that run in the Sandown Classic will come via the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup or the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, as well as the iconic Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) run over the two miles at Flemington on the first Tuesday of November.
The latest Melbourne Cup graduates to win the Zipping Classic are Southern France (19th) in 2019, Vow And Declare (10th) in 2022, and Military Mission (10th) in 2023.
In 2021 Sound improved on a Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes second to successfully defend his title in the Zipping Classic as a nine-year-old at 19/1.
The 2023 Zipping Classic form was franked with the third placegetter Duke De Sessa returning the following spring to win the 2024 Group 1 Caulfield Cup.
The 2024 Zipping Classic winner Arapaho franked the form the following autumn winning the 2025 Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m), while the 2024 third placed Berkely Square won the Ballarat Cup at his next start.
The 2025 Zipping Classic ran on Saturday November 29, 2025 at Caulfield Racecourse and was won in style by the classy Grahame Begg trained She’s A Hustler ($3.10F) who saluted for the punters.
| Zipping Classic 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday November 29, 2025 |
| Track: | Caulfield Racecourse |
| Distance: | 2400m |
| Race Type: | Weight-for-age |
| Status: | Group 2 |
| Prize Money: | $750,000 |
2025 Zipping Classic Betting
The latest Zipping Classic 2025 betting odds will be available at Ladbrokes.com.au for you to back your Zipping Classic Betting Tips at the right price and published here at Races.com.au.
There was a notable upset in 2023 with Military Mission saluting at Zipping Classic odds of $13.
Arapaho ($4.40 in 2024) and She’s A Hustler ($3.10 in 2025) are the latest favourites in Zipping Classic betting to win.
2025 Zipping Classic Form Guide
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2025 ZIPPING CLASSIC FORM GUIDE
2025 Zipping Classic Tips
Stay tuned for our exclusive Zipping Classic 2025 Tips on the $750,000 November staying feature.
To Win: No. 13 Alalcance
ALALCANCE (4) is the one to watch for mine in Saturday’s Zipping Classic, with Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott back chasing another trophy after their success two years ago with Military Mission.
This six-year-old grey daughter of Mastercraftsman is a proven stayer and looks right at home stepping back up to her pet trip. Her 2400m record reads an impressive 5:2-3-0, and she’s already shown winning form out to 2600m, so the distance query that lingers over a few rivals won’t be an issue here.
Punters will remember her autumn purple patch when she went back-to-back by big margins in Sydney, taking out the Group 3 NE Manion Cup (2400m) and the Group 2 Chairman’s Handicap (2600m) before a failed Sydney Cup bid over the two miles. That run aside, she’s been ultra-consistent and has the staying credentials to measure up in this company.
Fresh off an eye-catching third in the Matriarch Stakes, Alalcance strips fitter second-up and has drawn beautifully in barrier four. Add in the services of big-race specialist Craig Williams, and she shapes as a genuine winning chance.
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6th
13. Alalcance (4)
J: Craig Williams 57kg
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
2025 Zipping Classic Field
The Zipping Classic field usually features some talented stayers looking for a final spring Group win. Because the race takes place so late in the spring racing carnival, the Zipping Classic field attracts a host of horses well into their preparation and with plenty of form to look to, including that out of the Melbourne Cup.
Military Mission (10th in 2023) was the last Melbourne Cup graduate to win the Zipping Classic.
The official 2025 Zipping Classic field and barriers are released on the Wednesday prior to the race and will be published in full below.
The Zipping Classic 2025 final field features a star-studded line-up of end-of-spring stayers including Ciaron Maher’s Australian Cup champ from the Autumn Light Infantry Man and the flying Grahame Begg trained She’s A Hustler who is yet to run outside the top two in her 10 career starts.
Click here to read more on the key runners in the 2025 Zipping Classic field and betting markets.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6310×06955 | LIGHT INFANTRY MAN (FR) | Ciaron Maher | Ethan Brown | 9 | 59kg | Â | Â | 111 |
| 2 | 0331×05430 | KOVALICA (NZ) | Chris Waller | Beau Mertens | 5 | 59kg | Â | Â | 108 |
| 3 | 310×729480 | SMOKIN’ ROMANS (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Ben Melham | 14 | 59kg |  |  | 104 |
| 4 | x0590x6027 | ALENQUER (FR) | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Ben Allen | 12 | 59kg | Â | Â | 100 |
| 5 | 726540×406 | HEZASHOCKA (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Harry Coffey | 11 | 59kg | Â | Â | 96 |
| 6 | 02763×0705 | INTERPRETATION (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Teo Nugent | 1 | 59kg | Â | Â | 96 |
| 7 | 344×745104 | BRAYDEN STAR (GB) | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | John Allen | 2 | 59kg | Â | Â | 99 |
| 8 | 8222×03022 | ETNA ROSSO (IRE) | Chris Waller | Michael Dee | 8 | 59kg | Â | Â | 100 |
| 9 | 10260×0069 | STRAWBERRY ROCK (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Declan Bates | 10 | 59kg | Â | Â | 91 |
| 10 | 54248×6264 | BERKSHIRE BREEZE (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 7 | 59kg | Â | Â | 97 |
| 11 | 561x1246x7 | GARACHICO (GB) | Dominic Sutton | Billy Egan | 6 | 59kg | Â | Â | 92 |
| 12 | 9x07696x42 | STAR VEGA (IRE) | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Lachlan Neindorf | 13 | 59kg | Â | Â | 90 |
| 13 | 2x1110x6x3 | ALALCANCE (GB) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Craig Williams | 4 | 57kg | Â | Â | 109 |
| 14 | 2x1112x112 | SHE’S A HUSTLER (NZ) | Grahame Begg | Jordan Childs | 3 | 57kg |  |  | 97 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2025 Zipping Classic Nominations
The Zipping Classic 2025 Nominations will be announced on the Monday leading-up to Zipping Classic Day and will be published in full below once released.
| Â | Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2x1110x6x3 | ALALCANCE (GB) | M | 6 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 109 |
| 2 | x0590x6027 | ALENQUER (FR) | G | 8 | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | 100 |
| 3 | 87103×8673 | ALMA RISE (NZ) | M | 5 | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | 81 |
| 4 | 54248×6264 | BERKSHIRE BREEZE (IRE) | G | 7 | Ciaron Maher | 97 |
| 5 | 344×745104 | BRAYDEN STAR (GB) | G | 7 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 99 |
| 6 | x1x28x0000 | EARL OF TYRONE (IRE) | G | 8 | Ciaron Maher | 89 |
| 7 | 8222×03022 | ETNA ROSSO (IRE) | G | 6 | Chris Waller | 100 |
| 8 | 722200×990 | FIRM AGREEMENT | G | 4 | Annabel & Rob Archibald | 90 |
| 9 | 561x1246x7 | GARACHICO (GB) | G | 7 | Dominic Sutton | 92 |
| 10 | x069277x77 | GLENTANEOUS (IRE) | G | 8 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 89 |
| 11 | 726540×406 | HEZASHOCKA (NZ) | G | 8 | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | 96 |
| 12 | 02763×0705 | INTERPRETATION (IRE) | G | 8 | Ciaron Maher | 96 |
| 13 | 0331×05430 | KOVALICA (NZ) | G | 6 | Chris Waller | 108 |
| 14 | 6310×06955 | LIGHT INFANTRY MAN (FR) | G | 7 | Ciaron Maher | 111 |
| 15 | 60x8x86677 | POST IMPRESSIONIST (IRE) | G | 7 | Simon Ryan | 96 |
| 16 | 2x1112x112 | SHE’S A HUSTLER (NZ) | M | 5 | Grahame Begg | 97 |
| 17 | 310×729480 | SMOKIN’ ROMANS (NZ) | G | 9 | Ciaron Maher | 104 |
| 18 | 9x07696x42 | STAR VEGA (IRE) | G | 6 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 90 |
| 19 | 10260×0069 | STRAWBERRY ROCK (IRE) | G | 9 | Ciaron Maher | 91 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
Sandown Classic / Zipping Classic History
The Sandown Classic was first run in 1888 and won by Mara however it was originally named the Williamstown Cup before becoming the Sandown Cup and eventually the Sandown Classic.
Over the years, the race distance has increased from 11 furlongs to 12 furlongs and 13 furlongs. Second Wind managed to win the event twice in 1930-31, however the true champion of this race is Zipping with four consecutive wins from 2007 to 2010.
Zipping’s four straight wins in the Sandown Classic means that the gelding joins Manikato, Tie The Knot and Lord as the only horses to win the same group race consecutively four or more times.
In 2006, Gallant Guru managed to win the Sandown Classic/Queen Elizabeth Stakes double while Sydeston won the Sandown Classic/Cathay Pacific Airways Cup double in 1989.
In 2021 the Zipping Classic ran at Caulfield Racecourse and saw evergreen nine-year-old Sound ($20) go back-to-back.
In 2022 the event ran at Caulfield again and saw Vow And Declare post his first win since the 2019 Melbourne Cup.
She’s A Hustler is the last Zipping Classic winning mare.
Recent Sandown Zipping Classic Winners
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Â | |||
| 2025 Zipping Classic | 1st | She’s A Hustler | 2 minutes 31.19 seconds |
| 2nd | Light Infantry Man | ||
| 3rd | Etna Rosso | ||
| Â | |||
| 2024 Zipping Classic | 1st | Arapaho | 2 minutes 33.01 seconds |
| 2nd | Smokin’ Romans | ||
| 3rd | Berkeley Square | ||
| Â | |||
| 2023 Zipping Classic | 1st | Military Mission | 2 minutes 31.73 seconds |
| 2nd | Bankers Choice | ||
| 3rd | Duke De Sessa | ||
| Â | |||
| 2022 Zipping Classic | 1st | Vow And Declare | 2 minutes 28.13 seconds |
| 2nd | Luncies | ||
| 3rd | Persan | ||
| Â | |||
| 2021 Zipping Classic | 1st | Sound | 2 minutes 32.65 seconds |
| 2nd | Dr Drill | ||
| 3rd | Wentwood | ||
| Â | |||
| 2020 Zipping Classic | 1st | Sound | 2 minutes 37.09 seconds |
| 2nd | Brimham Rocks | ||
| 3rd | Future Score | ||
| Â | |||
| 2019 Zipping Classic | 1st | Southern France | 2 minutes 32.01 seconds |
| 2nd | Miss Siska | ||
| 3rd | Chapada | ||
| Â | |||
| 2018 Zipping Classic | 1st | The Taj Mahal | 2 minutes 31.52 seconds |
| 2nd | Dal Harraild | ||
| 3rd | Our Libretto | ||
| Â | |||
| 2017 Zipping Classic | 1st | The Taj Mahal | 2 minutes 30.09 seconds |
| 2nd | Almandin | ||
| 3rd | Big Duke | ||
| Â | |||
| 2016 Zipping Classic | 1st | Beautiful Romance | 2 minutes 29.05 seconds |
| 2nd | Almoonqith | ||
| 3rd | Big Orange | ||
| Â | |||
| 2015 Zipping Classic | 1st | Who Shot Thebarman | 2 minutes 29.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Tall Ship | ||
| 3rd | Do You Remember | ||
| Â | |||
| 2014 Sandown Classic | 1st | Au Revoir | 2 minutes 32.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Epingle | ||
| 3rd | Prince Of Penzance | ||
| Â | |||
| 2013 Sandown Classic | 1st | Sertorius | 2 minutes 30.97 seconds |
| 2nd | Epingle | ||
| 3rd | Queenstown | ||
| Â | |||
| 2012 Sandown Classic | 1st | Tanby | 2 minutes 32.01 seconds |
| 2nd | Exceptionally | ||
| 3rd | Precedence | ||
| Â | |||
| 2011 Sandown Classic | 1st | Americain | 2 minutes 37.87 seconds |
| 2nd | Manighar | ||
| 3rd | Mourayan | ||
| Â | |||
| 2010 Sandown Classic | 1st | Zipping | 2 minutes 39.49 seconds |
| 2nd | Exceptionally | ||
| 3rd | Manighar | ||
| Â | |||
| 2009 Sandown Classic | 1st | Zipping | 2 minutes 32.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Purple | ||
| 3rd | Master O’Reilly | ||
| Â | |||
| 2008 Sandown Classic | 1st | Zipping | 2 minutes 35 seconds |
| 2nd | Douro Valley | ||
| 3rd | Red Ruler | ||
| Â | |||
| 2007 Sandown Classic | 1st | Zipping | 2 minutes 33.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Jukebox Johnny | ||
| 3rd | Baughurst | ||
| Â | |||
| 2006 Sandown Classic | 1st | Gallant Guru | 2 minutes 30.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Casual Pass | ||
| 3rd | Show Barry | ||
| Â | |||
| 2005 Sandown Classic | 1st | Roman Arch | 2 minutes 33.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Grey Song | ||
| 3rd | Expunge | ||
| Â | |||
| 2004 Sandown Classic | 1st | Count Ricardo | 2 minutes 37.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Fantastic Love | ||
| 3rd | Media Puzzle | ||
| Â | |||
| 2003 Sandown Classic | 1st | Legible | 2 minutes 29.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Distinctly Secret | ||
| 3rd | Zazzman | ||
| Â | |||
| 2002 Sandown Classic | 1st | Hail | 2 minutes 27.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Hill Of Grace | ||
| 3rd | Grey Song | ||
| Â | |||
| 2001 Sandown Classic | 1st | Sky Heights | 2 minutes 28.3 seconds |
| 2nd | King Keitel | ||
| 3rd | Cinder Bella | ||
| Â | |||
| 2000 Sandown Classic | 1st | Brave Chief | 2 minutes 24.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Forgotten Hero | ||
| 3rd | Pasta Express | ||
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