An already busy 2023 campaign for the Australian gelding Swoop Dog has been geared toward a start in the Group 3 Hobart Cup at Hobart Racecourse on Saturday evening. Swoop Dog is unbeaten in three starts at tracks this year on the island of Tasmania, where Hobart is located, including the Summer Cup at 1 3/8 miles at Hobart on Jan. 22.  The $207,400 Hobart Cup is run at 1 1/2 miles, a new distance for Swoop Dog. The competition will be different, too. With group status and a strong purse, the Hobart Cup has drawn a field of shippers from mainland Australia. As of early Friday, Swoop Dog was the 7-1 fourth choice behind Spirit Ridge (5-2), Military Mission (7-2), and Ain’tnodeeldun (9-2). They all raced with success in recent starts at tracks in Melbourne and Sydney. Swoop Dog, trained at Longford Racecourse in Tasmania by John Blacker, has won 7 of 20 starts in his career. A 5-year-old, Swoop Dog has been in the sharpest form of his career in recent weeks. Swoop Dog tends to run near the front and may track I’m So Cool, who was third in the Summer Cup. Jockey Sigrid Carr rides Swoop Dog and has had the mount for the gelding’s last five starts. :: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing The Hobart Cup drew a field of 13 and is a handicap. Spirit Ridge will carry top weight of 130 pounds, while Swoop Dog is second in the weights at 122.3 pounds. Spirit Ridge, a winner of 7 of 32 starts, was second in the Australian Day Stakes at 1 1/2 miles at Warwick Farm Racecourse on Jan. 26. An 8-year-old gelding, he has won three times at 1 1/2 miles in his career. Military Mission was third in the Australian Day Stakes, while Ain’tnodeeldun won a handicap at about 1 1/4 miles at Moonee Valley Racecourse on Jan. 21. This is his first start at 1 1/2 miles. Hobart has a nine-race program beginning at 8:35 p.m. Eastern, or 5:35 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.