Trainer Gerald Ryan has confirmed that Skyhook will not be aimed at the Epsom Handicap, even if he secures victory in the Group 2 $300,000 Shannon Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.
The striking chestnut, Skyhook, who made a formidable return in the Theo Marks Stakes earlier this month, is burdened with the 58kg topweight for the Shannon Stakes.
Historically, since the Shannon Stakes’ inception in 1977, only Neville Begg’s charge Dalmacia in 1982 has achieved the remarkable feat of winning both the Shannon Stakes and the Epsom Handicap.
Skyhook is currently a $26 chance in the early betting for the Group 1 $1.5 million Epsom Handicap (1600m), but Ryan has stated the four-year-old mare will not be participating at Royal Randwick on October 3.
The current focus for Ryan and his training partner Sterling Alexiou is to have Skyhook at his absolute peak for the Group 1 $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Royal Randwick on October 31.
“The plan is to run Skyhook in the Shannon then most likely go to the Silver Eagle (October 17),” Ryan commented.
“We might even throw him in a nomination and see what the King Charles (III Stakes, October 17) looks like.
“After the Shannon, there’s three weeks to the Silver Eagle or the King Charles, which is worth a lot of money.
“I don’t think he would win it (King Charles) but if he is going to the Golden Eagle (October 31) he needs a run beforehand.”
Ryan also reported that Skyhook has trained on exceptionally well since his commanding comeback win in the Theo Marks Stakes earlier this month.
“He has come through the race ‘terrific’ and he has worked superbly,” he revealed.
The training duo, Ryan and Alexiou, had considered the Group 3 $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on October 10 as a possible target for Skyhook. However, they are reserving the in-form General Salute for that particular race.
General Salute also marked his return with an impressive victory in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) last Saturday.
Meanwhile, Ryan announced that the talented filly Chilly Girl is out of contention for the Group 1 $750,000 Flight Stakes (1600m) on Epsom Day.
Chilly Girl, who won The Rosebud earlier this spring, finished fourth in Bangkok Hottie’s Tea Rose Stakes last Saturday. Ryan indicated the filly will not be tested over the 1600m trip for the Flight Stakes.
“We will look for a suitable race over a shorter distance for Chilly Girl or possibly even give her a break,” Ryan said. “She could even go to a race like The Sunlight at the Gold Coast in January.”
For those interested in the betting markets for the Shannon Stakes, explore options at various Australian betting sites.
