Skyhook sets sights on the Golden Eagle from Rosehill

The Epsom Handicap is no longer on the agenda, but the lucrative $10 million Golden Eagle remains a key target for Gerald Ryan's sprinter-miler, Skyhook.

This four-year-old will make his return in the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday, a decision that effectively closes the door on any attempt at the Epsom Handicap (1600m) three weeks later.

"He won't get to the Epsom. If he runs Saturday here then he'd have to run again in the Shannon (Stakes) and back up. He's not a back-up horse," Ryan explained.

"The main aim is to get him to the Golden Eagle. It's just how we get there.

"The horse doesn't cop heaps of work, but I will have to give him three of four runs prior to going there."

His campaign towards the Golden Eagle commences with the Theo Marks Stakes, where he faces the challenge of the widest draw, barrier 15. Nevertheless, Ryan is optimistic, pointing to Skyhook's natural speed and the fitness gained from his Queensland winter carnival campaign, believing he is forward enough to be competitive.

A horse of consistent quality, Skyhook claimed the Pago Pago Stakes at two and participated in the Golden Slipper. His talent was further showcased at the end of his three-year-old season with victories in the Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) and a commanding win in the Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm.

Ryan credits a refined training approach for Skyhook's ability to consistently perform at Group level.

"Between the Arrowfield (3YO Sprint) and Hawkesbury Guineas, I changed a few things with his training, and it really worked," Ryan commented.

"I started working him sharper, and just did some things like jumped him over a couple of hurdles.

"He's pretty forward. He only had nineteen days off then three weeks of pre-training at Newington Farm with (former horse trainer) Kacy Fogden. She looked after him up there and he came back in really good order, and he's had the two good trials as well."

In a stable change, Just Party has been scratched from the Theo Marks Stakes and will instead be redirected to Saturday's Listed Tontonan Stakes (1400m) at Flemington, a track Ryan believes the backmarker will appreciate.

Having secured a first-up win in the Goulburn Cup (1400m), Just Party is qualified for The Big Dance (1600m) on Melbourne Cup Day, though his connections have expressed only moderate interest in pursuing this event.

"We always thought he'd run a journey, and he's been placed over 1600 metres a couple of times, but we've decided to train him as a shorter course horse and see how he goes," Ryan said.

"It's his second preparation as a gelding as well. That can make a difference.

"He'll come home after Saturday. There's nothing else down there for him for a couple of weeks, so we'll bring him home and decide after that."

Just Party was rated a $4.20 chance for the Tontonan Stakes on Thursday, with Skyhook heading the market for the Theo Marks Stakes at $3. Explore the latest racing betting markets for the Theo Marks Stakes with leading online bookmakers.