The Grahame Begg-trained Nonconformist is set to have his first Victorian start in 13 months when he lines-up at Caulfield.
The Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) on Saturday will be Nonconformist’s first start in Victoria since finishing fourth to Alligator Blood in the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield in October last year.
Nonconformist was scheduled to start in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) the following week, but following a pre-race inspection by Racing Victoria vets was deemed unsuitable to race.
After being sent for a spell, Nonconformist returned to racing in Sydney in September where he had three starts before returning to Begg’s Caulfield stable.
He pleased first-up when third behind Buckaroo in the Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick before finishing fifth to Attrition in the Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill.
At his most recent outing, Nonconformist finished seventh to one-time Caulfield Cup favourite Fawkner Park in the Group 3 Rosehill Cup (2000m) on November 2.
Begg said there was a number of excuses for Nonconformist’s performance at Rosehill, but he was still happy with the gelding’s performance.
“He didn’t have much luck in his last start at Rosehill,” Begg said.
“He was trapped wide early and rolled forward and then the race got very messy for him, but he wasn’t beaten all that far at the finish.
“So, his run was quite good.”
Begg said after three runs, Nonconformist was ready for the 2400m journey, although he does not want the track too wet.
“He had a jump-out at Cranbourne last Monday week,” Begg said.
“It was over 1200 metres and it was a nice tick over for him.
“It’s a competitive race and it’s good to see him back at Caulfield where he’s run well before.”
Nonconformist finished second in the 2021 Caulfield Cup behind Incentivise before running 10th behind Durston the following year in his last 2400m appearance at the track.
Caulfield Cup winning jockey Harry Coffey takes the ride.
