Trainer Gerald Ryan has described Skyhook as “poetry in motion” after the four-year-old gelding produced a dominant all-the-way victory in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes at Rosehill.
The experienced trainer has indicated that he will not back-up Skyhook for the Epsom Handicap next weekend. Ryan’s intention is to keep the horse fresh for the Silver Eagle (1300m) in three weeks, followed by a campaign towards the $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 said.
“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.”
Skyhook ($1.50 favourite), who also won the Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) first-up, was arguably even more impressive in the Shannon Stakes (1500m). Kerrin McEvoy controlled the race from the front, leaving his rivals with no chance.
He crossed the line three lengths ahead of Estadio Mestalla ($10), with Joe Pride’s Private Eye ($4.80) taking third place, a further neck behind the runner-up.
Ryan believes Skyhook has elevated his performance this season as a four-year-old, noting his versatility as a key strength.
“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.”
McEvoy, who has partnered Skyhook in his last three victories, stated that the horse felt in fine fettle as they proceeded to the starting gates.
“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 mentioned. “He is handling himself really well. He takes bad luck out of the equation. That’s half the battle sometimes.”
Skyhook’s dominant win positions him as a major contender for the Golden Eagle. You can explore the latest racing odds at leading bookmakers.
