Skyhook's Golden Eagle journey begins with a win at Rosehill
Skyhook is generating significant interest for a berth in the lucrative $10 million Group 1 Golden Eagle following a dazzling return to the racetrack at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Star jockey Kerrin McEvoy, despite a challenging wide barrier, skillfully guided Skyhook to an advantageous position, ultimately securing a dominant victory in the Group 2 $300,000 Theo Marks Stakes over 1300 metres.
The training partnership of Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou has been meticulously crafting a plan for Skyhook's campaign towards the Golden Eagle (1500m) at Royal Randwick on October 31 for many months. They remain unfazed by the exceptional performance of the mare Sheza Alibi in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington.
Following Sheza Alibi's commanding Flemington victory, TAB Fixed Odds have shortened her odds to $1.60 favourite for the Golden Eagle, with Skyhook priced at $11, sitting on the third line of betting.
"What if Sheza Alibi doesn't come for the Golden Eagle?" Alexiou posed. "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 emphasized that the Golden Eagle is their absolute priority for Skyhook, confirming the striking chestnut will not contest the Group 1 $1.5 million Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick on October 3.
"There will be no Epsom," Ryan stated firmly. "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, sent out as the $2 favourite, settled in the one-out, one-back position early. He improved three-wide around the bend and powered to a decisive one-and-a-quarter-length victory over Magnatear ($26), with Verona Rose ($7) a short neck behind in third.
McEvoy commented that Skyhook seems "bigger and more developed" and is primed for his most successful preparation yet.
"Behind the gates, he was walking around like he owned the place," McEvoy shared. "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."
The win was Skyhook's fifth from 14 career starts, propelling his earnings beyond the $1 million mark, with further prize money expected.
"The trip to Queensland late last season has done him the world of good, he has really grown up and come of age," Alexiou observed. "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 the horse's post-race 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 confirmed. "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 commanding win sets him up perfectly for a tilt at the Golden Eagle. Check out the available racing betting markets.
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