Vow And Declare has finally broken through to win his first race this spring in the Group 2 Zipping Classic, after running so well in many of the races throughout his Melbourne Cup preparation.
John Allen and Danny O’Brien have combined at Caulfield to get a much-deserved win in the 2400m feature race of the day.
Vow And Declare hadn’t won a race since winning the 2019 Melbourne Cup, but now his connection can that put that hoodoo behind them after this victory on Saturday.
Persan set up a solid tempo, while Vow And Declare and Desert Icon settled a couple of lengths behind him, which turned out to be the race winning move by John Allen as he raced clear with 200m to go.
Zipping Classic Replay
Danny O’Brien was very emotional after the race when speaking to Racing.com post-race.
“It’s very special for us, he is very special this horse.” O’Brien said post-race.
“We’ve had him for six years and he’s given us the greatest thrill winning the Melbourne Cup and he’s a very popular horse with the public.”
O’Brien also spoke glowingly about John Allen’s ride on the winner.
“He couldn’t have ridden him better.
“He was always in control of where he needed to be.”
John Allen has now picked up the feature on the last two Saturdays after winning the Ballarat Cup last week.
“He gave me a lovely ride, he was always travelling well.” Allen said.
“We got rolling down the side to give him a bit of room and he kept responding for me in the straight.
“Obviously a great training performance by Danny (O’Brien) and his team to get this guy back to his best form.”
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