Australia: English transplant favored to score first win Down Under

Sibaaq was a four-time winner in minor handicaps in England in 13 starts in 2020 and 2021. Now based in Australia with trainer Annabel Neasham, Sibaaq may be on the verge of a successful campaign in 2022.

After finishing a game second in his Australian debut in a seven-furlong handicap at Gold Coast Racecourse on May 7, Sibaaq will start favored in a field of 12 in Sunday’s Wellington Cup at 1 1/16 miles at Wellington Racecourse.

A 4-year-old gelding, Sibaaq won three races at Beverley Racecourse and once at Haydock Park at distances ranging from 7 1/2 furlongs to a mile for trainer Mark Johnston in England. Considering the stout uphill finish at Beverley, a race there at 7 1/2 furlongs may seem more like 1 1/16 miles.

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At Wellington, Sibaaq will be ridden for the first time by Tommy Berry, who is likely to have the gelding in a tracking position in the Wellington Cup, the eighth race on a nine-race program that begins at 9:25 p.m. Eastern or 6:25 p.m. Pacific on Saturday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Sibaaq was 5-2 in early betting on Friday, a slight choice over Major Artie (5-1) and Casino Mondial and Knight (8-1).

Major Artie, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, will be near the front. A 4-year-old gelding, Major Artie has won twice this year - in a one-mile handicap at Moonee Valley Racecourse in March and a handicap at 1 1/8 miles at Eagle Farm on April 30.

Knight, a 5-year-old gelding who has won 5 of 17 starts, ended an eight-race losing streak dating to December 2020 with a win in a lucrative handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Eagle Farm on April 30 at 15-1. Knight was near the front throughout and finished 2 1/2 lengths clear of runner-up Highly Desired, an eight-time winner.