Sky’s the limit for ‘bomb-proof’ son of Written Tycoon
Skyhook (Written Tycoon) earned an 11th hour entry into next week’s $5 million Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) after his electric victory in Saturday’s Pago Pago Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) at Rosehill.
The colt, who is trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, received a ballot exemption for the world’s richest juvenile race after he left his rivals – headed by stablemate Good Hotspur (Calyx) – trailing in his wake at Rosehill.
Should he back up next Saturday, Skyhook will bid to become only the fifth horse in history to achieve the Pago Pago Stakes-Golden Slipper double, with 2023 victor Shinzo (Snitzel) – who joined Coolmore’s stallion roster last year – the most recent member of the exclusive club.
Despite suffering a minor abrasion to his foreleg on Saturday morning, Skyhook showed no signs of any ill effects on his home track as he raced 3.25-lengths clear of Good Hotspur to justify $2.90 favouritism, with State Visit (Wootton Bassett) rounding out the trifecta.
Skyhook’s rider Kerrin McEvoy may have a tough decision to make after he also rode Memo, who is by Written Tycoon’s Slipper-winning son, Capitalist, to victory in the Magic Night Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m), although trainer Peter Snowden revealed the Percy Sykes Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) was a more realistic option than backing up that filly in the Golden Slipper.
Memo, who had already banked more than $600,000 despite being a maiden, finally lived up to her undoubted potential with a swooping run to overhaul Dream Side (Trapeze Artist), who is trained by Ryan and Alexiou.
In the immediate aftermath of his statement win, Skyhook was promoted to the $8 third favourite for the Golden Slipper, with Memo installed on the fourth line of betting.
Skyhook was labelled ‘the ultimate professional’ by Alexiou, who indicated that the colt – provided he came through the run well – would most likely press onto next Saturday’s showpiece.
“He’s really bomb-proof,” Alexiou added. “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.
“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. We’ll just get over today, get through the next few days, make sure he has pulled up alright and hopefully we’re on our way to the Slipper.
“The owners had a hectic enough morning, wondering if we were or weren’t going to run after what happened. So they all deserve to have a Golden Slipper runner. They put plenty of money into this horse because he cost quite a bit, but I think they’re going to have a bit of fun with him.”
McEvoy had regretted his decision to sit off the pace in the Skyline Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m), won by Rivellino (Too Darn Hot), but he removed bad luck from the equation by taking Skyhook straight to the head of affairs in the Pago Pago – and the pair never saw another rival.
“He’s a nice colt moving forward,” said McEvoy, who won the Golden Slipper in 2011 on Sepoy (Elusive Quality).
“He was athletic out of the gate, so I just thought that if nothing’s going quicker than me, I’m just going to let him get into a comfortable stride which is what he did.
“He pricked his ears and behind the gates I actually asked Jason [Collett], who works with Gerald [Ryan], and he said he’s been leading in his work. So I thought that if he ends up in front, he’s going to be used to that scenario.
“He’s got to come back in a week’s time [for the Slipper], but fingers crossed he can pull up well. He’s on the improve for sure.”
Victory for Skyhook would make it back-to-back Golden Slipper triumphs for his sire Written Tycoon (Iglesia), whose dashing daughter Lady Of Camelot just nailed Coleman (Pierata) on the line 12 months ago.
Skyhook, whose ownership group includes wagering leviathan Matt Tripp, was purchased for $575,000 from his breeders Arrowfield at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
His dam Madame Pauline (Redoute’s Choice) won two races for Paul Messara at the start of her career, before joining Arrowfield’s elite broodmare band in 2020.
She has a foal by Dundeel (High Chaparral) at foot and was covered by Maurice last September.
Memo – who is out of South African Grade 1 winner Chocolicious (Kahal) – was purchased at the same sale for $350,000 from the draft of Newgate Farm, who also sold her Stay Inside (Extreme Choice) half-brother to Yulong for $380,000 at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Memo’s sire Capitalist (Written Tycoon) won the Golden Slipper for the same stable in 2016, but Snowden indicated the filly was unlikely to follow in her famous father’s footsteps with the master trainer likely to lower his sights to the $1 million Percy Sykes Stakes at Randwick on 12 April.
“She’s run in some very good races with close seconds and thirds, but today was her day,” said Snowden.
“It’s too early to make a call yet but I don’t think she will [run in the Slipper]. I’ve got to talk to all the owners about it but in my mind, she’s a good chance of running in the Percy Sykes. She’s had a long season, she’s been to every dance so to back up again in a week, especially after a very hot day today, it might be a bridge too far for her.
“We’ve got a few weeks to get to the Percy Sykes, and I think three or four days in the paddock would do her the world of good and then we’ll bring her back in. She’s holding good condition and she’s a very fit filly. We’ve just got to get her mindset right because it (the Percy Sykes) is a hard race to win as well, so I’m not taking it lightly.
“But she’s a damn good filly, and I’m really glad she won it for the owners’ sake. It’s been frustrating when you keep running seconds all the time and you start to think that maybe they’re not winners, but she deserved it today.”
It was a red-letter day for Newgate Farm-based sire Capitalist with Memo being one of nine winners for the stallion.