Plenty of Value in 2018 Zipping Classic Betting
Who Shot Thebarman will take his place in the Zipping Classic field. Photo: Steve Hart

Plenty of Value in 2018 Zipping Classic Betting

Eight stayers have been confirmed in the field and the depth of talent has led to plenty of value featuring in 2018 Zipping Classic betting.

The Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) is always an exciting race and several Melbourne Cup runners have been confirmed to line up alongside some other in-form runners in this year’s edition of the race.

The Taj Mahal has recorded several terrific performances and results this time and has opened the $3.80 favourite in 2018 Zipping Classic betting.

Ending a smart 2017 campaign a strong win in this race, The Taj Mahal took a couple of runs to tune up upon resuming in August, but stormed home to win the Group 3 JRA Cup (2040m) at Moonee Valley three runs back.

His run for fifth in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) was tough and he was simply forced to do too much work from a wide alley in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) last time out.

Ben Melham shouldn’t have too much hassle in taking up the running from barrier 7 in this small field and he’ll be hard to run down.

Dal Harraild and Our Libretto have both continued to receive steady support in Zipping Classic betting and they remain tied on the second line at $5.50 quotes.

Dal Harraild has only had two starts since arriving in Australia last month, but he has already stamped himself as a horse to follow and is primed for a big run in the Zipping Classic.

The Champs Elysees gelding hit the line well for eighth in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) and took plenty of benefit into a close-up second in the Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) a fortnight ago.

Our Libretto is another import that has been terrific already and will relish a step up to a mile and a half at this point of his prep.

The O’reilly mare was only fair to the line when seventh in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) last weekend but won each of her four starts prior to that performance.

Ventura Storm and Libran have both produced quality performances this time and they share the third line of Zipping Classic betting at $6 quotes.

Ventura Storm finally broke through for his first win in Australia with an impressive performance in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup, but he didn’t see out the two miles in the Melbourne Cup and will enjoy a step back in trip.

Libran hit the line well to third in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup and was hampered for a run in the straight in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2500m) last weekend but recovered to finish third. With better luck on Saturday, he could prove to be the value in Zipping Classic betting.

Lord Fandango ($8), Sir Isaac Newton ($9) and Who Shot Thebarman ($11) complete the 2018 Zipping Classic field