Gold Coast Stakes eyes Sydney import Sibaaq at generous odds
Those tuned into “SF” – shorthand for Sydney form – may have him on the radar, but Sibaaq lurking at double-figure quotes could dodge the spotlight.
Drifting in the wagering to $11 come Friday, Declan Maher the trainer suspects his comparatively fresh setup near the Gold Coast course – despite the shared surname with elite handler Ciaron Maher – leads to his team being undervalued against veteran Brisbane yards.
Having run fifth in the Group 3 Parramatta Cup (1900m) at Rosehill February 21, Sibaaq now tackles the Gold Coast Stakes (1800m) on Saturday back on home turf.
"I think that is a general thing with a few of my runners these days as they usually get a bit of extra odds, but we are building the stable and fresh trainers to Queensland.
"In a lot of his starts I think he has blown out in the market," Maher said.
"He was out to $27 when he just missed out (on winning) by a stride in the Mayor's Vase."
The eight-year-old notched a 108 Racing and Sports rating at Sydney, succeeding a 113 when just beaten in the Gold Coast Mayor's Vase (2050m) January 23.
Victoria Road, a $23 shot with 61kg topweight, has posted like figures this prep.
Additionally, Maher emphasises Sydney form lines, noting Parramatta Cup winner Piggyback's fourth in last Saturday's Listed Randwick City Stakes (2000m), plus Travolta's third in Sunday's Listed Canberra Cup (2000m) after placing there too.
"He went to my brother Ciaron's farm in Bong Bong for a week after the Sydney run and his last six weeks have been relatively quiet for him," Maher added.
"He has only needed a couple of bits of work back home and he likes to get down to the beach at The Spit which is more to keep a smile on his face.
"Hopefully tomorrow he can do the rest."
In addition to the Gold Coast Stakes, Queensland's owners bonus races feature with $500,000 QTIS 2YO Jewel and $500,000 QTIS 3YO Jewel both at 1200 metres.
Check online bookmakers for the best betting markets for the Gold Coast Stakes.
More Racing News
Tommy Berry trusts Transatlantic to overcome wide Stradbroke draw
Transatlantic came painfully near to beating a wide barrier in a major spring event, with Tommy Berry now counting on the gelding's durability and endurance to improve on that effort from yet another challenging post in the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap.The horse started from the widest gate in the Five...
Thrilling Scone Cup success for in-form Hellsing
Trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, Hellsing has entered excellent shape and notched his finest victory yet in the Listed $200,000 Arrowfield Scone Cup (1600m) held at Scone on Friday.On his 10th run in a preparation exceeding six months, Hellsing is thriving more than ever, building on a Royal Randwick...
Trainer Moloney sees ongoing enhancement in Hearcomesthestar
Improvement has marked every preparation, and John Moloney, the trainer, expects additional development from Hearcomesthestar in her upcoming appearance at Flemington.From 28 races, Hearcomesthestar has notched six wins and eight places, but Stakes grade has proven challenging for her.The approaching six-year-old earned a Listed placing at Geelong earlier this year,...
Searle family from SA chasing Melbourne Cup dream with Sir Kingsford
Gary and Nichole Searle, together with their daughter Brianna Callanan, form a South Australian training outfit with ambitions for Sir Kingsford in the Melbourne Cup.A victory in Saturday's Listed Andrew Ramsden (3200m) at Flemington earns the winner a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption ahead of the big November event.Nichole Searle sampled...
Scone's Luskin Star Stakes sees Estadio Mestalla with tough weight
Trainer Joe Pride questions the two-kilo advantage given to a Group 1 winner over Estadio Mestalla in the Luskin Star Stakes, but trusts the steady gelding to deliver full commitment.At seven years old, he notched his top triumph in the prior year's Listed Winter Stakes (1100m) and must shoulder 61kg...
Barrier 18 no hindrance to Sequista's Scone return
Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou believe filly Sequista has the class for black-type success despite her tendency to undermine herself.Having notched stakes placings in the 2024 Inglis Nursery (1000m) and run near the placings in Tempted's Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m), the three-year-old targets another milestone in Saturday's Listed Denise's...
Flemington awaits Concord Connie's next bold move
Trainer Charlotte Littlefield hopes her talented filly Concord Connie can replicate her recent feat before entertaining grander aspirations.In her third race appearance at Flemington on Anzac Day, Concord Connie notched a breathtaking win by six lengths in sharp time.This Saturday, the filly heads back to Flemington to compete against the...
Dark Jewel Classic in sights for Harlem Queen
While Harlem Queen didn't sustain her early promise from age three, trainer Nathan Doyle feels confident after her trouble-free lead-up that she might restore reliable results.She returns Saturday in the Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) held at Scone, where despite preferring stamina tests ahead, barrier five positions her well for Doyle's...
Flemington run to decide Different Gravy's Queensland Derby chances
At Flemington, Different Gravy will put his Queensland Derby dreams to the test in upcoming action.Following a Listed triumph over 1800m at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day last year, trainer Henry Dwyer fixed his focus on the northern Derby.The Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm scheduled for May...
Abounding's scratch lets Napoleonic into Doomben 10,000 lineup
Confirmation has arrived that Napoleonic will join the Doomben 10,000 field, following Abounding's removal which opened the door for the colt in the elite Group 1 dash.Team members experienced a stressful seven days after the three-year-old earned second emergency status for the $1.5 million event, as reserve Beadman claimed a...