Skyhook has successfully extended his brilliance to the mile with an impressive win in the Gunsynd Classic, firmly positioning himself for a shot at the $10 million Golden Eagle in the spring of 2026.
Co-trainer Sterling Alexiou confirmed that the three-year-old colt would be sent for a spell after his victory in Saturday’s feature race at Eagle Farm. This win served as a valuable consolation after failing to gain a start in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, and it also provided connections with the opportunity to test him over 1600 metres.
Skyhook had not competed beyond 1400 metres prior to this Brisbane success, which has now opened the door for a potential tilt at the Golden Eagle (1500m) later in the year.
“It’s a big carrot to say no to, the Golden Eagle,” Alexiou said. “(Doncaster Mile winner) Sheza Alibi is probably going there, but you never run away from one horse, albeit she looks like a very bloody good one.”
Alexiou stated that he and training partner Gerald Ryan would wait for the situation to become clearer before discussing a spring program for Skyhook. Mindful that he remains an entire, they are keen to step him back up to elite company at some point.
“Possibly the Premiere (Stakes), Silver Eagle, Golden Eagle but nothing in concrete yet,” Alexiou commented on their spring options. “We wanted to make our mind up after today and work out where we want to go and then talk to the ownership group. A lot of those races next prep are not Group Ones, but he is an entire. Possibly, down for the C F Orr late spring as well, which could be a nice race for him at Caulfield.”
Skyhook was a Group 3 winner at two and finished fourth to Beiwacht in last year’s Golden Rose (1400m).
However, Alexiou indicated that Skyhook had returned physically stronger this campaign, allowing him to dictate his own race from the front. He expects the three-year-old colt to continue his development.
“I reckon he will make that progression to weight-for-age next campaign,” he explained. “A lot of people say, ‘you’ve worked out how to ride him this prep’, but back to when we were running him in the Golden Rose, he wasn’t strong enough to do it both ends. He would plateau on his runs riding him that close, where this preparation he’s a much stronger horse.”
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