The event was initially held by the Williamstown Racing Club at the Williamstown Racecourse.[2] After the racecourse grandstand burned to the ground in 1947 the racing club amalgamated with the privately owned Victorian Trotting and Racing Association to become the Melbourne Racing Club and moved the event to Sandown Racecourse.[3] In 1963 the racing club merged with the Victoria Amateur Turf Club and the club changed the name of the event.[2][3]
Prior to 1999 the conditions of the race were an open handicap. Since 2011, the name of the race has been changed to honour Zipping, after he won the race for a fourth consecutive time in 2010. In 2013, the race was transferred to Caulfield due to renovations occurring at Sandown.
Meanwhile, in 2010 the Melbourne Racing Club introduced a new Sandown Cup into the program. This event became a Listed race in 2012 and is held over 3,200 metres.[4]
In 2021, the race was moved to Caulfield Racecourse permanently and occurs two weeks later than its original date, which was one week after the conclusion of the Flemington carnival.[5]
1948 racebook
1948 MRC Williamstown Cup racebook front cover
1948 MRC Williamstown Cup raceday officials
1948 MRC Williamstown Cup official oncourse notices for patrons
1948 MRC Williamstown Cup starters and results showing the winner, Gayness
1948 MRC Williamstown Cup starters and results
Back cover showing railway and admission charges
Name
1888–1962 - Williamstown Cup (except in 1945 it was called the Victory Cup for the end of World War II)[2]
1963–1998 - Sandown Cup
1999–2010 - Sandown Classic
2011 onwards - Zipping Classic
Grade
1888–1978 - Principal race
1979 onwards - Group 2
Distance
1888–1919 - 13⁄8 miles (~2200 metres)
1920–1942 and 1951–1971 - 11⁄2 miles (~2400 metres)
