Australia: Wicklow looks to end skid in Wagga Wagga Gold Cup

It has been nearly two years since Wicklow made a splashy debut in Australia, winning his first three starts in the country.

An Irish-bred gelding who began his career in Britain, the three-race streak remains Wicklow’s career highpoint. Wicklow won twice in 2022, but has been beaten in his last six races.

A start in the $133,400 Wagga Wagga Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles at Wagga Wagga Racecourse on Thursday evening can potentially solve two issues – end the losing streak and provide the 5-year-old with a berth for the Big Dance Stakes at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney in November.

Wicklow was fifth of 20 in the $1.27 million Big Dance Stakes last November.

Wicklow will start at 1 1/4 miles for the first time in the Wagga Wagga Gold Cup, which drew a field of 16. Wicklow was fourth and fifth in handicaps at seven furlongs and 7 1/2 furlongs earlier this year, closing well in the final furlong in a manner that suggests this longer distance is within his ability.

Wicklow has won three times at 1 1/8 miles. In the Wagga Wagga Gold Cup, Wicklow will be ridden by Brett Prebble for top national trainer Chris Waller.

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Wicklow was the 3-1 favorite in early betting Wednesday in an otherwise open race. Pink Ivory (6-1), Great House (9-1), and Bois d’Argent and Lion’s Roar (both 10-1) are other leading contenders in a large field.

Wagga Wagga has an eight-race program beginning at 10:40 p.m. Eastern, or 7:40 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.

Great House, Pink Ivory, and Lion’s Roar were fourth, fifth and 10th in the Group 3 JRA Plate at 1 1/4 miles on April 15 at Randwick and face an easier field at Wagga Wagga.

Bois d’Argent was a minor stakes winner in France earlier in his career. This is his second start of 2023 after a fifth-place finish in a one-mile handicap at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne on March 18.

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