Australia: Sibaaq stands out in rescheduled Wellington Cup

The Wellington Cup was rained out at Wellington Racecourse in Australia last Sunday.

Rescheduled for Friday’s program at Dubbo Racecourse, the Wellington Cup has a slightly different distance because of course configurations, but the same favorite in Sibaaq, a second-time starter in Australia who appears to be a standout in a field of 14.

The field has grown because of the relocation. A maximum of 12 would have started at Wellington, but Dubbo can accommodate 14. There are two runners on the also-eligible list for the rescheduled race.

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.

A 4-year-old gelding, Sibaaq was a game second in his Australian debut in a seven-furlong handicap at Gold Coast Racecourse on May 7. In England, 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. Considering the stout uphill finish at Beverley, a race there at 7 1/2 furlongs may seem more like a mile.

Tommy Berry will ride Sibaaq and is likely to have the gelding in a stalking position in the Wellington Cup, the ninth race on a 10-race program that begins at 9:10 p.m. Eastern, or 6:10 p.m. Pacific, on Thursday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

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Sibaaq’s competition remains largely unchanged, with Ita, Knight, and Major Artie rated as the most likely to cause an upset.

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 since 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.

Ita, a 4-year-old filly, won for the fifth time in her 17-race career in a seven-furlong handicap for fillies and mares on the infield Kensington course at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney on May 18. Ita tends to race from a tracking position. She has been second seven times in her career, and may do so again if Sibaaq runs to expectations.