Jockey Kerrin McEvoy will chase back-to-back Zipping Classic wins, having been booked to replace the suspended Damien Oliver on Kirramosa.
Trainer John Sargent had Oliver booked to ride Kirramosa in the weight-for-age race at Sandown, but Oliver was banned for careless riding at Flemington last Saturday.
McEvoy, who won the Emirates Stakes on Turn Me Loose to claim his 50th career Group One win, won the Zipping Classic last year on Au Revoir.
Kirramosa finished third to The Offer and Divan in the Bendigo Cup (2400m) last start and Sargent believes the mare had a genuine excuse as the saddle slipped rounding the home turn.
Sargent then planned to run Kirramosa in last Saturday’s Group Two Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington but was forced to abandon those plans.
“She got a stone bruise in the middle of last week so we couldn’t start her in that,” Sargent said.
“But it’s all cleared up and she had a good gallop today and she’s right on track.
“I’m very happy with her and she’ll go in there fighting fit. As fit as I can get her.”
Sargent said the saddle shifted back to Kirramosa’s flank on the home turn in the Bendigo Cup.
Jockey Chris Parnham was dislodged not long after the finish when the saddle slipped further.
“She couldn’t really finish it off,” the trainer said.
“That’s why she was running about in the straight but she still finished not far away.
“The Offer ran well (for eighth) in the Melbourne Cup and the second horse (Divan) won on Saturday. So it’s a good formline.”
He believes 2400m on the big Sandown track is suitable for Kirramosa.
The 13 nominations for the Zipping Classic include Queen’s Cup winner Dandino, Rising Romance, Who Shot The Barman and Almoonqith with acceptances taken on Wednesday.
