The Zipping Classic 2026 field of 13 is headed by Caulfield Cup winner Kingswood, but early favourite Small Fry must first pass a Racing Victoria veterinary inspection on Thursday morning to take his place at Sandown on Saturday.
The Group 2 Zipping Classic is a 2400m weight-for-age race worth $750,000 and one of the last major staying races of the Victorian spring, Practical Punting noted. It is run on CF Orr Stakes day, Saturday 14 November.
Small Fry needs vet clearance
Joseph O’Brien’s Small Fry has drawn barrier four with Mark Zahra to ride, Racing.com reported. He must get the final tick from Racing Victoria vets on Thursday morning before he can run.
Racing.com noted Small Fry did not pass that examination before final Melbourne Cup declarations. He was beaten half a length by Point Of Law in the Geelong Cup, and Point Of Law went on to win the Melbourne Cup at his next start.
The Zipping Classic is set to be Small Fry’s final start for O’Brien before he moves to the Phillip and Tommy Stokes stable.
Read more: Point Of Law Wins 2026 Melbourne Cup for Maher and Ethan Brown
“He’s going to run in the Zipping, he had a nice run at Geelong obviously and that’s the plan for him,” O’Brien said in comments reported by RacingZone. “We picked the wrong prep,” he added with a laugh. “But he seems in good form anyway.”
Kingswood and the Maher pair
Kingswood, who won the Caulfield Cup for trainer Gavin Bedggood, jumps from barrier eight with John Allen retaining the ride.
Ciaron Maher has Juja Kibo (Sam Clipperton, barrier one) and Middle Earth (Ethan Brown, barrier five) in the field. Knight’s Choice (Robbie Dolan, barrier three) and Darkbonee (Craig Williams, barrier two) are other notable runners.
Vauban has drawn the outside gate, barrier 13, with Blake Shinn booked, while Asterix (Damian Lane, barrier 11) lines up after being scratched on Melbourne Cup morning.
The Group 1 CF Orr Stakes over 1400m headlines the Sandown card, with defending champion Jimmysstar drawn in barrier one.
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