Skyhook (AUS)
2 c Written Tycoon – Madame Pauline, by Redoute’s Choice
O: Ryan & Alexiou Racing, Stallion Match, The Big 4 Racing, South Arm, Mr J B Plozza, Mr J F Townley, Ms L Coghlan, Mr I C Burford, Mrs M A Burford, Legacy Thoroughbreds, Tripp Racing, Mr T Carroll, Mr M T Tripp, Mr M A L Stevens
B: Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd, NSW
T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou
S: 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale V: Arrowfield Stud P: Ryan & Alexiou Racing, $575,000
W: Pago Pago Stakes, Group 3, 1200m, March 15, Rosehill
Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou’s juvenile colt Skyhook (Written Tycoon) emerged as a genuine contender for Saturday’s Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) with an emphatic all-the-way success in last weekend’s Pago Pago Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) at Rosehill.
Despite suffering a minor abrasion to his foreleg on Saturday morning, Skyhook led the field from barrier four under Kerrin McEvoy, before racing 3.25 lengths clear of Good Hotspur (Calyx), justifying $2.90 favouritism, with State Visit (Wootton Bassett) rounding out the trifecta.
“He’s really bomb-proof. He got a bit warm in the mounting yard but it is a very hot day, so we weren’t too concerned. Kerrin made his intentions very clear early. He thought he was riding the best horse and rode him accordingly, and it was good to see him put a space on the field,” Alexiou said
“I thought the second horse [Good Hotspur] ran particularly well, and we think he’s a nice horse in his own right. He sat three deep there, and finished off the race really well. They’ve both got nice futures and hopefully if he pulls up well, you might see the winner in the [Golden] Slipper on Saturday.
“He’s very adaptable – you’ve seen him settle here, there and everywhere in his races.
Skyhook was purchased by his trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou for $575,000 from his breeders Arrowfield Stud at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He is the second foal and only to race out of the winning Redoute’s Choice (Danehill) mare Madame Pauline, who is herself a half-sister to stakes-winning pair Anders (Not A Single Doubt), who stands at Widden, and Ostraka (Pariah). The mare has since produced a colt by Dundeel (High Chaparral) and has been covered by Maurice (Screen Hero).
An $8.50 third elect for Saturday’s showpiece, Skyhook will bid to become only the fifth horse in history to achieve the Pago Pago Stakes-Golden Slipper double, joining Shinzo (Snitzel), Stratum (Danehill), Rory’s Jester (Crown Jester) and Inspired (Vain).