Precedence to back up in Zipping Classic

Evergreen stayer Precedence is a good chance to back up in the Group 2 $350,000 Deadly Design Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday after winning at Flemington on the weekend.

Precedence gets the stride in to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington.

Precedence, black and white checks, yellow sleeves, gets the stride in to win the Queen Elizabeth Stks at Flemington. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Precedence won his tenth race with a nose decision over Sertorius in the Group 3 $300,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) and co-trainer James Cummings says that there is a strong chance that the eight year old will go around again this coming weekend.

“We have nominated him for the Zipping Classic. It’s run at Caulfield now, there is another track you wouldn’t be too afraid of, he’s run plenty of good races there,” Cummings told RSN Racing.

Nominations for the Zipping Classic, which is being run at Caulfield this year because of the renovations at Sandown,  have been extended to ten o’clock (AEDT) on Tuesday, November 12 with only twelve horses in the original list of entries which includes Sertorius, the Peter Moody trained Ibicenco and Gai Waterhouse’s mare Queenstown.

“I don’t think there is a lot of depth there,” Cummings said.

James, who trains in partnership with his famous grandfather Bart Cummings, said Precedence would back up at Caulfield if he continues to do well after last Saturday’s win.

“It comes down to the horse. If he’s a hundred per cent he will run, and if connections are all happy, otherwise we are only too happy to take what we have received, he owes us nothing. We will do the right thing by Precedence,” Cummings said.

“If he needs a break, that is what he will get.”

“At this early stage, I’ve been in close contact with the team in Melbourne and they are pretty happy with the way he has come through it and we will do some check-ups over the next couple of days and make a decision by Wednesday morning.”

Precedence is racing in outstanding form and as well as winning last Saturday, scored a one and a half lengths win over Shoreham in the Group 2 $250,000 Drake International Cup (2500m) (formerly the Moonee Valley Cup) at Moonee Valley on October 26 with Craig Williams aboard for both wins.

A rematch with Sertorius in the Zipping Classic is on the cards after the two battled it out all the way to the line at Flemington and Waterhouse is also considering backing up Queenstown after the four year old was beaten a nose by Girl Gone Rockin’ in the Group 2 $300,000 Momentum Energy Stakes (2000m).

Sertorius is also nominated for the Listed $150,000 Sportingbet Sandown Cup (3200m) as is Ibicenco who is coming off a twelfth to Fiorente in the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 5.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.