Skyhook focus shifts to Golden Eagle after Shannon Stakes

Gerald Ryan, the trainer, has confirmed that Skyhook will not be entered for the Epsom Handicap, regardless of his performance in the Group 2 $300,000 Shannon Stakes (1500m) scheduled for Rosehill Gardens this Saturday.

The visually striking chestnut, Skyhook, who demonstrated a brilliant turn of form with a win in the Theo Marks Stakes upon resuming this month, is set to carry the 58kg topweight in the Shannon Stakes.

It's worth noting that since the Shannon Stakes was introduced in 1977, only one horse, Dalmacia under Neville Begg in 1982, has achieved the double of winning both the Shannon Stakes and the Epsom Handicap.

Skyhook is currently listed at $26 in the early betting for the prestigious Group 1 $1.5 million Epsom Handicap (1600m), but Ryan has made it clear that the four-year-old gelding will not be competing at Royal Randwick on October 3.

The primary objective for Ryan and his training partner, Sterling Alexiou, is to ensure Skyhook is in peak condition for the lucrative Group 1 $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Royal Randwick on October 31.

"The plan is to run Skyhook in the Shannon then most likely go to the Silver Eagle (October 17)," Ryan explained.

"We might even throw him in a nomination and see what the King Charles (III Stakes, October 17) looks like.

"After the Shannon, there's three weeks to the Silver Eagle or the King Charles, which is worth a lot of money.

"I don't think he would win it (King Charles) but if he is going to the Golden Eagle (October 31) he needs a run beforehand."

Ryan added that Skyhook has responded exceptionally well following his impressive comeback victory in the Theo Marks Stakes earlier this month.

"He has come through the race 'terrific' and he has worked superbly," he revealed.

The training partnership of Ryan and Alexiou had considered the Group 3 $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on October 10 as a potential option for Skyhook; however, their focus is now on General Salute for that race.

General Salute also made a strong return to racing with an impressive win in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) last Saturday.

In other stable news, Ryan announced that the promising filly Chilly Girl has been withdrawn from the Group 1 $750,000 Flight Stakes (1600m) on Epsom Day.

Chilly Girl, a winner of The Rosebud earlier in the spring, finished fourth in Bangkok Hottie's Tea Rose Stakes last Saturday. Ryan stated the filly will not be stretched to the 1600m distance for the Flight Stakes.

"We will look for a suitable race over a shorter distance for Chilly Girl or possibly even give her a break," Ryan said. "She could even go to a race like The Sunlight at the Gold Coast in January."

For those keen on placing a wager, consider the competitive racing odds available at various online bookmakers.