Skyhook is now firmly in contention for a start in the $10 million Group 1 Golden Eagle following a brilliant return to racing at Rosehill Gardens this past Saturday.
Champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy managed to overcome a wide barrier draw, positioning Skyhook perfectly for a triumphant performance in the Group 2 $300,000 Theo Marks Stakes over 1300 metres.
Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou have had Skyhook’s campaign mapped out for months, aiming for the Golden Eagle (1500m) at Royal Randwick on October 31. They were not swayed by the outstanding win of the mare Sheza Alibi in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.
TAB Fixed Odds reacted to Sheza Alibi’s Flemington triumph by firmed her into $1.60 favourite for the Golden Eagle, while Skyhook is listed on the third line of betting at $11.
“What if Sheza Alibi doesn’t come for the Golden Eagle?” Alexiou asked. “You never run away from one horse and the Golden Eagle has been our aim for some months now. Since his Brisbane campaign we have basically worked backwards from the Golden Eagle and we thought how we could get him there in his best form.”
Ryan confirmed that the Golden Eagle is the singular focus for Skyhook, meaning the striking chestnut will not participate in the Group 1 $1.5 million Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 3.
“There will be no Epsom,” Ryan stated. “If he went to the Epsom he would have to run in the Shannon Stakes the Saturday before and I don’t think he is a back-up horse. We might look at the Alan Brown Stakes which is four weeks away so this means he could go to the Shannon in two weeks. But this horse has won Group races as a two, three and four-year-old now and the aim is to try and win a Group 1 with him.”
Skyhook, the $2 favourite, secured the one-out, one-back position early, advanced three-wide on the turn, and ultimately won by one-and-a-quarter lengths from Magnatear ($26), with Verona Rose ($7) a short neck behind in third.
McEvoy indicated that Skyhook feels “bigger and more developed” and is set for his best racing preparation.
“Behind the gates, he was walking around like he owned the place,” McEvoy commented. “It’s always a good sign for a horse moving forward in a preparation. His trials have been pleasing and it was a nice kick-off point today. We got into a good trailing spot, and he was able to produce a nice finish.”
This victory represented Skyhook’s fifth win from 14 starts, pushing his career earnings past the $1 million mark, with considerable potential for more.
“The trip to Queensland late last season has done him the world of good, he has really grown up and come of age,” Alexiou said. “Kerrin off-set the wide barrier pretty quickly, he got into a nice position early, it was a nice first-up run and he’s won well. He is not really a sit-sprint horse, he has a high cruising speed which he can kick off from and sustain his sprint. When Verona Rose came alongside him, I was a bit worried for a few strides but he asserted his authority late.”
Alexiou stated that Skyhook’s recovery from the Theo Marks Stakes win would be the deciding factor in finalising his race program for the Golden Eagle.
“We will let the dust settle, get over today and see how he gets through the week,” Alexiou advised. “There are a few options, the Shannon Stakes, Alan Brown, Silver Eagle – we will let him get over this first and then make up our minds. He’s a pretty athletic horse and doesn’t need a lot of work so he could get there with one more run, that wouldn’t worry us.”
Skyhook’s impressive return has put him in good stead for the Golden Eagle. Explore the latest online bookmakers for betting options.