Skyhook is attracting attention for a spot in the prestigious $10 million Group 1 Golden Eagle following a superb resumption of racing at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
With champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle, Skyhook managed to overcome a wide draw and secure an ideal run in transit, ultimately delivering an impressive victory in the Group 2 $300,000 Theo Marks Stakes over 1300 metres.
Co-trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou have meticulously planned Skyhook’s path to the $15 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Royal Randwick on October 31 for several months. They were not deterred by the freakish mare Sheza Alibi’s dominant win in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.
Following Sheza Alibi’s strong performance, TAB Fixed Odds adjusted her price, making her the $1.60 favourite for the Golden Eagle, while Skyhook is positioned on the third line of betting at $11.
“What if Sheza Alibi doesn’t come for the Golden Eagle?” Alexiou questioned. “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 the Golden Eagle is the primary objective for Skyhook, meaning the striking chestnut will bypass the Group 1 $1.5 million Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 3.
“There will be no Epsom,” Ryan declared. “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, who started the $2 favourite, settled one-out, one-back early on, tracked three wide around the turn, and went on to win by a comfortable one-and-a-quarter lengths from Magnatear ($26). Verona Rose ($7) finished a short neck further back in third.
McEvoy suggested that Skyhook appears “bigger and more developed” and is poised for his best racing preparation.
“Behind the gates, he was walking around like he owned the place,” McEvoy remarked. “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 marked Skyhook’s fifth from 14 starts, pushing his career earnings past the $1 million prizemoney threshold, with potential for further gains.
“The trip to Queensland late last season has done him the world of good, he has really grown up and come of age,” Alexiou commented. “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 indicated that Skyhook’s recovery from the Theo Marks win would dictate the race program leading up to the Golden Eagle.
“We will let the dust settle, get over today and see how he gets through the week,” Alexiou stated. “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.”
The talented gelding will be looking to build on this impressive win as he heads towards the Golden Eagle. You can find the latest racing odds at Australian betting sites.
