In form Zipping Boy will chase a fourth straight win when he runs at Caulfield on Saturday.
But which 1100m race the son of Squamosa contests is yet to be decided by Jerome Hunter, although the Three-Year-Old Colts and Geldings Handicap over 1100m is the favoured option.
However, Hunter has not totally discounted the day’s feature, the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes also over 1100m, but at weight-for-age.
“We’re leaning towards the three-year-old race,” Hunter said.
“It’s probably the logical way to go even though he’s got a bit of weight, but we’ll claim three (kilograms) off him with Alana Kelly.
“It’s not 100 per cent, as I’ll keep a watch on what accepts for both races.
“There’s no difference in prize money because he’s Super VOBIS qualified and the prize money actually works out better in the three-year-old race if he was to win.”
Zipping Boy has been taken through his grades by Hunter, progressing to open handicap success at Sandown on June 12.
Although eligible for tougher company, Hunter does not want to throw away too many ratings points if he happened to win a Group 3 race.
Hunter does not see the three-year-old race as a shoo-in either, but it would add a few more ratings points that would get the sprinter into better handicaps.
“He’s getting up there,” Hunter said.
“I would like in the next month or two to run in open handicaps, so if we stick to the three-year-old race, that will bump him up a little bit, but it will probably keep him on the minimum.
“But he’s still got to win. It’s not that simple, but it’s a good worry to have.”
Having won his past two starts at 1000m, Hunter does not see Saturday’s 1100m being a concern.
“Even 1200 metres will be alright. He’s the type of horse that can settle anyway,” Hunter said.
