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.
2024 Zipping Classic Results
- 1st: #3 Arapaho
- 2nd: #4 Smokin' Romans
- 3rd: #6 Berkeley Square
Zipping Classic (Sandown Classic) News
- 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
- Savvy Oak Among 2019 Zipping Classic Nominations
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.
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 in 2024 it took place on the last Saturday of November.
2024 Zipping Classic Results
- 1st: #3 Arapaho ($4.40F)
- 2nd: #4 Smokin’ Romans
- 3rd: #6 Berkeley Square
The Bjorn Baker trained eight-year-old Group 1 winner Arapaho ($4.40F) retuned to winning form in the 2024 Zipping Classic results posting his first victory since the Tancred in March last year when given a gun ride by Rachel King to hit the front 200m out and charge home the final furlong for a three-quarter length triumph for the punters.
Click here for the full story.
Zipping Classic 2024 Odds & Results
Quayclean Zipping Classic (G2)
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
3. Arapaho (3) J: Rachel King 59kg
T: Bjorn Baker |
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|
2nd
4. Smokin' Romans (9) J: Ben Melham 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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|
3rd
6. Berkeley Square (6) J: Luke Nolen 59kg
T: Dan O'Sullivan |
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|
4th
5. Serpentine (5) J: Jye McNeil 59kg
T: G Waterhouse & A Bott |
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|
5th
14. Kingswood (2) J: John Allen 59kg
T: Gavin Bedggood |
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|
6th
12. Naval College (7) J: Damian Lane 59kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
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|
7th
7. Le Don De Vie (4) J: Billy Egan 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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8th
15. Little Mix (10) J: Blake Shinn 57kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
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|
9th
13. Star Vega (8) J: Mark Zahra 59kg
T: A & S Freedman |
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10th
9. Mankayan (1) J: Ben Allen 59kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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|
11th
11. Star Of India (11) J: Jamie Mott 59kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
Data retrieved: 26/05/2025 11:14:29 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
Worth a lucrative $750,000 in prize money having been boosted in 2021, the weight-for-age event is held on the same day as the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m), Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m), Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m), and the Group 3 Summoned Stakes (1600m).
Many of the horses that run in the Sandown Classic will come via the Group 2 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 (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 ran on Saturday November 30, 2024 at Caulfield Racecourse and was won in style on a Heavy track by Bjorn Baker’s top elect Arapaho ($4.40F) in a nice return to winning form.
| Zipping Classic 2024 | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday November 30, 2024 |
| Track: | Caulfield Racecourse |
| Distance: | 2400m |
| Race Type: | Weight-for-age |
| Status: | Group 2 |
| Prize Money: | $750,000 |
2024 Zipping Classic Finishing Order
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | ARAPAHO (FR) | Bjorn Baker | Ms Rachel King | 3 | 59kg | $4.40F | |||
| 2 | 4 | SMOKIN’ ROMANS (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Ben Melham | 0.75L | 9 | 59kg | $15 | ||
| 3 | 6 | BERKELEY SQUARE | Dan O’Sullivan | Luke Nolen | 5.5L | 6 | 59kg | $5.50 | ||
| 4 | 5 | SERPENTINE (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Jye McNeil | 6.75L | 5 | 59kg | $21 | ||
| 5 | 14 | KINGSWOOD (GB) | Gavin Bedggood | John Allen | 7.1L | 2 | 59kg | $5 | ||
| 6 | 12 | NAVAL COLLEGE (GB) | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Damian Lane | 9.85L | 7 | 59kg | $6 | ||
| 7 | 7 | LE DON DE VIE (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Billy Egan | 10L | 4 | 59kg | $17 | ||
| 8 | 15 | LITTLE MIX | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Blake Shinn | 11.25L | 10 | 57kg | $8 | ||
| 9 | 13 | STAR VEGA (IRE) | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Mark Zahra | 19.25L | 8 | 59kg | $12 | ||
| 10 | 9 | MANKAYAN (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Ben Allen | 22L | 1 | 59kg | $31 | ||
| 11 | 11 | STAR OF INDIA (IRE) | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Jamie Mott | 62L | 11 | 59kg | $81 | ||
| 1 | VOW AND DECLARE | Danny O’Brien | Craig Williams | 0 | ||||||
| 2 | NONCONFORMIST | Grahame Begg | Harry Coffey | 0 | ||||||
| 8 | HERMAN HESSE (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Ethan Brown | 0 | ||||||
| 10 | MURAMASA | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Daniel Moor | 0 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2024 Zipping Classic Betting
The latest Zipping Classic 2024 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) was the last favourite in Zipping Classic betting to win.
2024 Zipping Classic Form Guide
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2024 ZIPPING CLASSIC FORM GUIDE
2024 Zipping Classic Tips
Stay tuned for our exclusive Zipping Classic 2024 Tips on the $750,000 November staying feature.
- To Win: #4 Smokin’ Romans ($12 at time of publish) – BET NOW
Outstanding field for the Zipping this year but have an upset pending with Smokin’ Romans looking in peak form despite his age with conditions to suit. A likely rain-affected track is a non-issue for this proven mudlark with Ciaron Maher’s eight-year-old boasting plenty of form on Heavy going. He’s full of confidence too off a last start Flemington win in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth (2600m). Back up in weight to 59kg at WFA here but drops to 2400m and will appreciate being wider out staying out of trouble here. Can surprise and go back-to-back with Ben Melham in the saddle.
2024 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 2024 Zipping Classic field and barriers are released on the Wednesday prior to the race and will be published in full below.
The Zipping Classic 2024 final field features a quality line-up of stayers including former Melbourne Cup champion Vow And Declare, the Bjorn Baker-trained Arapaho coming off a brave Champions Stakes run behind Via Sistina, and recent Coongy Cup champ Kingswood.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Probable Weight | Penalty | H Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4041×57788 | VOW AND DECLARE | Danny O’Brien | Craig Williams | 11 | 59kg | 101 | ||
| 2 | 02x074x357 | NONCONFORMIST | Grahame Begg | Harry Coffey | 5 | 59kg | 105 | ||
| 3 | 4x0x75x045 | ARAPAHO (FR) | Bjorn Baker | Ms Rachel King | 4 | 59kg | 108 | ||
| 4 | 634820×541 | SMOKIN’ ROMANS (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Ben Melham | 12 | 59kg | 104 | ||
| 5 | 11404×4024 | SERPENTINE (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Jye McNeil | 7 | 59kg | 102 | ||
| 6 | 512×811223 | BERKELEY SQUARE | Dan O’Sullivan | Michael Dee | 8 | 59kg | 102 | ||
| 7 | 172x00x899 | LE DON DE VIE (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Billy Egan | 6 | 59kg | 100 | ||
| 8 | 70×0711742 | HERMAN HESSE (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Ethan Brown | 13 | 59kg | 102 | ||
| 9 | 242274×744 | MANKAYAN (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Ben Allen | 1 | 59kg | 94 | ||
| 10 | 116x84x233 | MURAMASA | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Daniel Moor | 2 | 59kg | 102 | ||
| 11 | 0x41x0x000 | STAR OF INDIA (IRE) | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Jamie Mott | 15 | 59kg | 95 | ||
| 12 | 111x950x63 | NAVAL COLLEGE (GB) | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Damian Lane | 9 | 59kg | 102 | ||
| 13 | 8762142332 | STAR VEGA (IRE) | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Mark Zahra | 10 | 59kg | 94 | ||
| 14 | x24x95x116 | KINGSWOOD (GB) | Gavin Bedggood | John Allen | 3 | 59kg | 99 | ||
| 15 | 544230×534 | LITTLE MIX | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | Blake Shinn | 14 | 57kg | 97 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2024 Zipping Classic Nominations
The Zipping Classic 2024 Nominations will be announced on the Monday leading-up to Zipping Classic Day and will be published in full below once released.
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Ballot | Weight | True Weight | Penalty | H Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4x0x75x045 | ARAPAHO (FR) | G | 8 | Bjorn Baker | 1 | 59kg | 108 | ||
| 2 | 02x074x357 | NONCONFORMIST | G | 8 | Grahame Begg | 2 | 59kg | 105 | ||
| 3 | 0656×32014 | FUTURE HISTORY (GB) | G | 7 | Ciaron Maher | 3 | 59kg | 104 | ||
| 4 | 634820×541 | SMOKIN’ ROMANS (NZ) | G | 8 | Ciaron Maher | 4 | 59kg | 104 | ||
| 5 | 512×811223 | BERKELEY SQUARE | G | 5 | Dan O’Sullivan | 5 | 59kg | 102 | ||
| 6 | 116x84x233 | MURAMASA | G | 5 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 6 | 59kg | 102 | ||
| 7 | 111x950x63 | NAVAL COLLEGE (GB) | G | 6 | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | 7 | 59kg | 102 | ||
| 8 | 11404×4024 | SERPENTINE (IRE) | G | 8 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 8 | 59kg | 102 | ||
| 9 | 70×0711742 | HERMAN HESSE (GB) | G | 8 | Ciaron Maher | 9 | 59kg | 102 | ||
| 10 | 4041×57788 | VOW AND DECLARE | G | 9 | Danny O’Brien | 10 | 59kg | 101 | ||
| 11 | 172x00x899 | LE DON DE VIE (GB) | G | 9 | Ciaron Maher | 11 | 59kg | 100 | ||
| 12 | x24x95x116 | KINGSWOOD (GB) | H | 5 | Gavin Bedggood | 12 | 59kg | 99 | ||
| 13 | 16×0008620 | INTERPRETATION (IRE) | G | 7 | Ciaron Maher | 13 | 59kg | 98 | ||
| 14 | 544230×534 | LITTLE MIX | M | 6 | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | 14 | 57kg | 97 | ||
| 15 | 1x360x1x28 | EARL OF TYRONE (IRE) | G | 7 | Ciaron Maher | 15 | 59kg | 97 | ||
| 16 | 0x41x0x000 | STAR OF INDIA (IRE) | G | 6 | Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald | 16 | 59kg | 95 | ||
| 17 | 8762142332 | STAR VEGA (IRE) | G | 5 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 17 | 59kg | 94 | ||
| 18 | 242274×744 | MANKAYAN (IRE) | G | 9 | Ciaron Maher | 18 | 59kg | 94 | ||
| 19 | 73312383×4 | STRAWBERRY ROCK (IRE) | G | 8 | Ciaron Maher | 19 | 59kg | 91 | ||
| 20 | x68x7x0026 | PROMISES KEPT | G | 5 | Ciaron Maher | 20 | 59kg | 87 | ||
| 21 | 212×211 | ALMA RISE (NZ) | M | 4 | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | 21 | 56kg | 77 |
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 s 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.
Recent Sandown Zipping Classic Winners
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Zipping Classic | 1st | Arapaho | 2 minutes 33.01 seconds |
| 2nd | Smokin’ Romans | ||
| 3rd | Berkeley Square | ||
| 2023 Zipping Classic | 1st | Military Mission | 2 minutes 31.73 seconds |
| 2nd | Bankers Choice | ||
| 3rd | Duke De Sessa | ||
| 2022 Zipping Classic | 1st | Vow And Declare | 2 minutes 28.13 seconds |
| 2nd | Luncies | ||
| 3rd | Persan | ||
| 2021 Zipping Classic | 1st | Sound | 2 minutes 32.65 seconds |
| 2nd | Dr Drill | ||
| 3rd | Wentwood | ||
| 2020 Zipping Classic | 1st | Sound | 2 minutes 37.09 seconds |
| 2nd | Brimham Rocks | ||
| 3rd | Future Score | ||
| 2019 Zipping Classic | 1st | Southern | 2 minutes 32.01 seconds |
| 2nd | Miss Siska | ||
| 3rd | Chapada | ||
| 2018 Zipping Classic | 1st | The Taj Mahal | 2 minutes 31.52 seconds |
| 2nd | Dal Harraild | ||
| 3rd | Our Libretto | ||
| 2017 Zipping Classic | 1st | The Taj Mahal | 2 minutes 30.09 seconds |
| 2nd | Almandin | ||
| 3rd | Big Duke | ||
| 2016 Zipping Classic | 1st | Beautiful Romance | 2 minutes 29.05 seconds |
| 2nd | Almoonqith | ||
| 3rd | Big Orange | ||
| 2015 Zipping Classic | 1st | Who Shot Thebarman | 2 minutes 29.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Tall Ship | ||
| 3rd | Do You | ||
| 2014 Sandown Classic | 1st | Au Revoir | 2 minutes 32.1 seconds |
| 2nd | Epingle | ||
| 3rd | Prince Of Penzance | ||
| 2013 Sandown Classic | 1st | Sertorius | 2 minutes 30.97 seconds |
| 2nd | Epingle | ||
| 3rd | Queenstown | ||
| 2012 Sandown Classic | 1st | Tanby | 2 minutes 32.01 seconds |
| 2nd | Exceptionally | ||
| 3rd | Precedence | ||
| 2011 Sandown Classic | 1st | Americain | 2 minutes 37.87 seconds |
| 2nd | Manighar | ||
| 3rd | Mourayan | ||
| 2010 Sandown Classic | 1st | Zipping | 2 minutes 39.49 seconds |
| 2nd | Exceptionally | ||
| 3rd | Manighar | ||
| 2009 Sandown Classic | 1st | Zipping | 2 minutes 32.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Purple | ||
| 3rd | Master O’Reilly | ||
| 2008 Sandown Classic | 1st | Zipping | 2 minutes 35 seconds |
| 2nd | Douro Valley | ||
| 3rd | Red Ruler | ||
| 2007 Sandown Classic | 1st | Zipping | 2 minutes 33.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Jukebox Johnny | ||
| 3rd | Baughurst | ||
| 2006 Sandown Classic | 1st | Gallant Guru | 2 minutes 30.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Casual | ||
| 3rd | Show Barry | ||
| 2005 Sandown Classic | 1st | Roman Arch | 2 minutes 33.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Grey Song | ||
| 3rd | Expunge | ||
| 2004 Sandown Classic | 1st | Count Ricardo | 2 minutes 37.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Fantastic Love | ||
| 3rd | Media Puzzle | ||
| 2003 Sandown Classic | 1st | Legible | 2 minutes 29.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Distinctly Secret | ||
| 3rd | Zazzman | ||
| 2002 Sandown Classic | 1st | Hail | 2 minutes 27.9 seconds |
| 2nd | Hill Of Grace | ||
| 3rd | Grey Song | ||
| 2001 Sandown Classic | 1st | Sky Heights | 2 minutes 28.3 seconds |
| 2nd | King Keitel | ||
| 3rd | Cinder Bella | ||
| 2000 Sandown Classic | 1st | Brave Chief | 2 minutes 24.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Forgotten Hero | ||
| 3rd | Pasta Express | ||
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