Kingswood claims rare Zipping Classic double
Trainer Gavin Bedggood is eyeing a Hong Kong campaign for Kingswood following his history-making Zipping Classic victory.
Kingswood has created his own piece of staying race history, achieving a rare double that has not been accomplished for almost six decades. His triumph in the Zipping Classic brings him into line with Bunratty Castle, who in 1968 won both the Caulfield Cup and Sandown Cup when they were handicap races.
The current iteration of the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) is contested at weight-for-age, and Kingswood is now set to embark on an unusual path, with his next destination being the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase, also over 2400m, at Sha Tin on December 13.
"I watched him gallop here on Tuesday morning and thought he was close to a good thing off his work," Bedggood stated. "And then watching the rain unfold this morning, it was like drawing barrier 20 in the Caulfield Cup all over again. I just thought his hopes were dashed.
"The track received an upgrade on our way here today, and I had a good walk, and I thought it was probably getting towards a Soft 6."
In a hard-fought finish, Kingswood ($3.80) managed to hold off the challenge from Juja Kibo ($4.60), the third-place finisher in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), by a short-half-head. The Joseph O'Brien-trained Small Fry ($3.50 favourite) secured third place, a half-neck behind the runner-up.
The international flight to Hong Kong is scheduled for November 30, which will give Bedggood and the connections a two-week window to prepare for the race that has previously been won by notable horses such as Red Cadeaux, Highland Reel, and Dunaden.
"I think it gives him 13 days to sort of settle in and tighten the screws," Bedggood elaborated.
"He'll have one good gallop over there, I guess, and have him in tip top order hopefully."
The journey to Hong Kong represents a new experience for the winning jockey, John Allen.
"I have never been so I am looking forward to that," Allen remarked.
"I'm sure Gavin and his team won't send him there if he hasn't pulled up 100 per-cent. Hopefully if he is on his A-game he can put on a good show there."
Consider the competitive betting markets for the Zipping Classic at online bookmakers.
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