Enthusiasts familiar with “SF”, meaning Sydney form, probably know about him already, yet Sibaaq at double-digit prices might evade wider attention.
A betting market drifter extending to $11 by Friday, trainer Declan Maher feels that even though he shares a last name with top trainer Ciaron Maher, his recently established yard close to the Gold Coast venue means his charges often get ignored relative to longstanding Brisbane operations.
Sibaaq placed fifth in the Group 3 Parramatta Cup (1900m) at Rosehill on February 21 before heading back to familiar territory for Saturday’s Gold Coast Stakes (1800m).
“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 earned a Racing and Sports rating of 108 during his Sydney appearance, coming after a 113 mark when he was narrowly defeated in the Gold Coast Mayor’s Vase (2050m) on January 23.
Just a $23 prospect carrying topweight of 61kg, Victoria Road has shown comparable numbers in this campaign.
Maher highlights the quality of Sydney form too, as Parramatta Cup victor Piggyback came fourth in the Listed Randwick City Stakes (2000m) last Saturday, and Travolta, another placer there, took third in the Listed Canberra Cup (2000m) on Sunday.
“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.”
Besides the Gold Coast Stakes, the card includes Queensland’s owners incentive events like the $500,000 QTIS 2YO Jewel and $500,000 QTIS 3YO Jewel, both over 1200 metres.
Explore the Australian betting sites for top racing odds in the Gold Coast Stakes.
