VOW LIKELY TO DEFEND ZIPPING CROWN

Evergreen stayer Vow And Declare is likely to defend his Zipping Classic crown after coming through the Melbourne Cup in good shape according to trainer Danny O’Brien. 

The 2019 Melbourne Cup winner secured his third Top 10 finish in the race that stops a nation last week and O’Brien said the eight-year-old had pulled up well from the two mile event. 

“He has come through his brave effort really well and he is now down on 13th Beach every day recovering, so if he keeps pleasing us he will line up to defend the Zipping Classic,” O’Brien said. 

“He is in better form this year than when he won the race last year and the more you analyse last week’s Cup his effort to finish ninth was enormous.”

Vow And Declare settled forward in the great race, pictured going past the post the first time, and such was the tempo the field ran a faster first mile than second mile. 

“At the half-way point, the Top 8 at the end of the race were all in the second-half of the field having economical runs,” O’Brien said. 

Vow And Declare ended up settling around fifth from the wide gate and the four-time Cup runner finished ninth beaten 7.45 lengths. 

Of the first eight in running mid-race, the next best of those horses to finish was race favourite Vauban, who finished 14th beaten 13.35 lengths. 

“It really shows how much heart Vow has and how well he has performed given the race shape.”

Pic by Racing Photos