SPANISH MISSION LEADS ZIPPING FIELD

Spanish Mission winning in England under the ride of Jamie Spencer

Spanish Mission will tackle the 2400m Zipping Classic contest at Caulfield on Saturday looking to achieve a better finish than the minor placing in the Melbourne Cup.

After seeing a recent purchase from the Andrew Balding Stable completed, new owners Brae Sokolski and Ozzie Khier are set to test their latest acquisitions talents under new trainer Peter Moody by tackling the Group 3 contest.

Prior to heading down under, Spanish Mission had been in strong form, finishing with a place in the Group 1 Gold Cup, winning the G2 Yorkshire Cup before finishing a head behind the great Stradivarius in the G2 Lonsdale Cup.

The recent import is unlikely to be facing such talent as Stradivarius this weekend with Spanish Mission holding the highest rating in the race by some distance.

Spanish Mission, who rates at 115 stands clear above the field with only 3 other runners in triple figures in the ratings. Warning, 108, Sound 104 and Lunar Flare 102.

Sound comes into the race as the defending champion and has been in good recent form however trainer Mike Moroney believes it  will be a tough challenge to go back to back with the likes of Spanish Mission lining up.

“Spanish Mission is going to throw a bit more strength into the race against what Sound has been meeting recently but he (Sound) looks to be right in the race," told News Corp.

Spanish Mission currently sits as the $1.70 favourite for the G3 contest with Warning second favourite at $6. 

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