Skyhook a Golden Eagle contender after dominant Shannon Stakes win

Trainer Gerald Ryan described Skyhook as "poetry in motion" after the four-year-old delivered a faultless display to win the Group 2 Shannon Stakes at Rosehill. The gelding led from barrier to wire in a decisive performance.

However, Ryan indicated that Skyhook would not be backing up for the Epsom Handicap next weekend. Instead, the stable will stick to the original plan, aiming for the Silver Eagle (1300m) in three weeks before targeting the lucrative $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) on October 31.

"I've tested him now two weeks apart and no, he's not going to the Epsom," Ryan revealed.

"I'll probably freshen him up a little bit, get the freshness in his legs for the Silver Eagle. The Golden Eagle is a different kettle of fish, but it's a $10 million race, 1500 metres at Randwick. He's in form, we'll have a crack."

Following his first-up victory in the Theo Marks Stakes (1300m), Skyhook ($1.50 fav) proved even more impressive in the Shannon Stakes (1500m). With jockey Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle, he set a strong tempo and was never headed.

He finished three lengths clear of Estadio Mestalla ($10), with stablemate Private Eye ($4.80) securing third place, a further neck behind.

Ryan commented that Skyhook has reached a new level as a four-year-old, emphasizing his versatility.

"Dry tracks, wet tracks. Lead, sit back. Pretty bloody handy," he quipped.

"Beautiful ride. I thought the topweight (Private Eye) would probably lead and we'd take the sit, but Kerrin was more, let's put it to him and make him chase us because we're still on our way up. My query today was 1300 to 1500 second-up, but he's coped. He's done it well."

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy, who has been aboard Skyhook for his last three consecutive wins, felt the horse was in top order heading to the start.

"He was lovely and fresh and bouncy going to the start, which I was pleased to see because I hadn't been on him since his last run," McEvoy said. "He is handling himself really well. He takes bad luck out of the equation. That's half the battle sometimes."

With the Golden Eagle now firmly in sight, Skyhook is a horse to follow. Check out the latest racing betting markets for upcoming feature events at online bookmakers.