Kingswood added the 2026 Zipping Classic to his spring achievements with a narrow victory at Sandown on Saturday, 14 November, strengthening his record as one of Australia’s leading staying performers.

The Gavin Bedggood-trained seven-year-old defeated Melbourne Cup placegetter Juja Kibo in the $750,000 Group 2 contest over 2400 metres.

John Allen partnered Kingswood to victory, adding another significant result to their successful spring partnership following the Caulfield Cup.

Connections are now planning an international campaign targeting the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin in December.

Kingswood Claims Narrow Zipping Classic Victory

Kingswood entered the Zipping Classic following his Group 1 Caulfield Cup success.

Saturday’s race presented another demanding 2400-metre contest against established Australian and international stayers.

John Allen settled Kingswood in the second half of the field as Strictly Business established a substantial early lead.

Juja Kibo and Middle Earth travelled closer to the pace, while Small Fry began improving into contention approaching the final stages.

Kingswood was positioned towards the outside of the field as the runners entered the straight.

Allen allowed the grey to build momentum before challenging Juja Kibo in the closing stages.

The pair fought out a close finish, with Kingswood getting his head in front near the winning post.

The official result recorded a winning margin of 0.1 lengths.

Zipping Classic 2026 Results

Race details

• Venue: Sandown Hillside
• Date: 14 November 2026
• Distance: 2400 metres
• Race classification: Group 2
• Prize money: $750,000
• Official recorded time: 2:34.03

Kingswood’s victory followed his Caulfield Cup success over the same distance.

The result provides another important reference for assessing Australia’s spring staying form.

Caulfield Cup Form Holds Up at Sandown

Kingswood’s performance was significant because he returned to racing after winning the Caulfield Cup.

Winning major staying races across separate starts requires a horse to maintain fitness and competitive form over an extended preparation.

The Zipping Classic presented different race circumstances, including a changing track surface and a field containing Melbourne Cup performers.

Kingswood settled off the early speed before making his run wider on the track.

His late challenge proved sufficient to defeat Juja Kibo, who had finished among the placings in the Melbourne Cup.

Small Fry, previously second in the Geelong Cup behind Melbourne Cup winner Point Of Law, finished third.

These form connections provide useful material for comparing the spring’s major staying races.

However, the relative strength of each performance requires examination of the official sectionals, race tempo and track conditions.

The finishing order alone does not establish which horse produced the strongest sectional performance.

Kingswood’s Pedigree: Roaring Lion and All At Sea

Kingswood is a son of Roaring Lion, the European Horse of the Year in 2018.

Roaring Lion was a multiple Group 1 winner whose racing career included major victories in Britain and Ireland.

His breeding career was cut short when he died in 2019, leaving a limited number of progeny.

Kingswood is out of All At Sea, a stakes-winning daughter of Sea The Stars.

The pedigree contains several notable international staying performers.

Kingswood is a half-brother to Eldar Eldarov, winner of the Group 1 Doncaster St Leger and Irish St Leger.

His maternal family also includes Alpinista, the multiple Group 1-winning mare who captured the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

This family background provides context for Kingswood’s success over 2400 metres.

His pedigree combines established European middle-distance and staying influences with a record of high-level race performance.

Kingswood’s Career Record

Following the Zipping Classic, Kingswood’s career record stood at:

His major achievements include the Group 1 Caulfield Cup and Group 1 Zabeel Classic, alongside Saturday’s Zipping Classic victory.

The results reflect his ability to compete successfully in major staying races across Australia and New Zealand.

Hong Kong Vase Campaign Planned

Following the Zipping Classic, trainer Gavin Bedggood outlined plans to take Kingswood to Hong Kong.

The intended target is the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase over 2400 metres at Sha Tin on 13 December.

Connections indicated that Kingswood was expected to travel on 30 November, allowing time to settle into his new environment before the international meeting.

The trip remains dependent on the horse recovering satisfactorily from his Sandown performance and completing the necessary travel arrangements.

If confirmed, the Hong Kong Vase would provide another opportunity to assess Kingswood against international middle-distance and staying competition.

What the Result Adds to Spring Form Analysis

Kingswood’s Zipping Classic victory provides several points for further form assessment.

His Caulfield Cup success established his credentials over 2400 metres, while the Sandown result demonstrated that he could maintain competitive form later in the spring.

The race also produced another meeting between horses with established staying records, including Juja Kibo and Small Fry.

For a more detailed evaluation, the race replay and sectional data should be considered alongside the finishing margins.

Kingswood’s position during the race, his move into the straight and his ability to sustain his finishing effort are relevant areas for specialist review.

Jig Racing readers can follow the wider carnival through the Spring Racing Carnival 2026 guide.

Information about Jig Racing’s analysis services is available through its membership packages.

Kingswood’s next confirmed engagement will depend on the finalisation of his Hong Kong campaign.