An interesting edition of the 2YO Classic. The market has it as a one-horse race, but you always need luck in these big fields and it might not be as clear-cut as many think.
Speed:
I’d expect to see (3) Itchintogo, (15) Inhabit and (10) Masvingo likely to press forward, while (4) Warwoven, (1) Zip Lock, (6) Knightsbridge, (7) Shiki, (9) By Choice and (5) Unit Five look to find cover just behind them. It should be a genuine tempo that gives most runners their chance.
Preview:
The big winners from the barrier draw were the favourites. (4) Warwoven is a ready-made two-year-old and just happens to be in a stable that thrives up here each year. From the good gate he should settle in the first six with cover and will take some beating. A deserved favourite, but $2 is bloody skinny.
2yo colt WARWOVEN with @RachelK11 up were dominant in victory in the first at headquarters today. Both horse and rider appeared to enjoy his maiden victory and was given a very good educational ride taking a sit and sprinting past the leader. pic.twitter.com/Dic34ClNeh
— David Fox 🇦🇺 (@treelopper) December 20, 2025
The toppy (1) Zip Lock has a beautiful action and profiles as a horse who will be even better over 1400m+ next prep. He should be able to nearly grab the box seat here and stalk the speed for as long as he likes. He was impressive last start and, from all reports, has worked very well through the week. The Munce yard had an unbelievable start to the season, dipped slightly for a couple of weeks, then bounced back with a bang at feature night last week.
Now to the Maher pair. (2) Tornado Valley won the Maribyrnong G3 in early November before being given a break. He returned on December 27, was wide throughout and I thought was brave behind Zip Lock. There’s no doubt improvement has been left in him for this. If he jumps cleanly and settles with the favourites, he may sprint better than them if he brings his best.
Tornado Valley STORMS home. 🌪
🖥️ #MelbCupCarnival | Live and Free on Channel 9 and 9Now.#9WWOS #MelbourneCup #Racing pic.twitter.com/4OXuJPiEzU
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) November 3, 2025
The stable also have (5) Unit Five, who looks over the odds. He won the 2YO Classic at Caulfield and his recent trial here was excellent. He could improve out of sight at his second career run for one of the best ‘grand final’ trainers in the game.
I was taken with the win of (7) Shiki last week. She showed one of the best turns of foot I’ve seen from any of these. If she’d drawn low I’d nearly have her on top. She’s right in this but needs a good early ride. (6) Knightsbridge can land in the right spot and has McDonald on board. Hard to knock, and around $20 he’s firmly in my exotics.
Gibbo’s 2YO Classic selections:
(2) Tornado Valley
(4) Warwoven
(1) Zip Lock
(7) Shiki
(5) Unit Five
