PHILIP Stokes doesn’t know what Amade will do at the start of the Zipping Classic but he knows it’s likely to determine the ten-year-old’s result.
Amade’s habit of missing the start proved costly when he finished fifth in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes with the trainer equating the three lengths he missed it by to his losing margin.
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He was also slow away at his previous start when he won the Geelong Cup but he was able to overcome that and win the race.
Stokes told Racing.Com that he experimented with a blindfold on Amade in a recent Pakenham 1000 metres jump-out and he was pleased with the result.
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Amade jumped with his opposition and sat second throughout in an encouraging performance for Stokes leading into the Zipping Classic.
Amade is a $21 chance with PlayUp.
Another veteran Vow And Declare is attempting to get to the half way mark in emulating Zipping who won the race four times as he is back to defend his crown.
Trainer Danny O’Brien was pleased with Vow And Declare’s effort to finish ninth in the Melbourne Cup as he went forward in what was a high pressure event and fought on better than the other horses who took up those positions.
Vow And Declare is $4.60 third favourite with Duke De Sessa favourite at $3.50.
