Following his dominant win in the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill, Skyhook has secured his spot in next week’s Group 1 Golden Slipper for trainers Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou.
Kerrin McEvoy took luck out of the equation aboard the +190 favourite with horse racing bookmakers after he jumped smartly from his barrier to take up the lead.
Settling behind the leader, Valedictorian (+1100) and Kilman (+1000) found good spots, while the other market fancies, United States (+500), State Visit (+600), and Comedy (+650) settled at the back of the field and gave the leader six lengths.
Turning for home, McEvoy had a stranglehold on the leader, and once he released the brakes, the son of Written Tycoon gave a strong kick and put up a three-length margin on the rest of the field by the 200m mark.
Good Hotspur (+4000) and State Visit took ground off the leader late, but there were never any worries if you were on the favourite, as he careered away with a 3.25-length victory.
Sterling Alexiou represented the stable in the post-race interview.
“He’s really bomb-proof. He’s the ultimate professional,” Alexiou said.
“He got a bit warm in the mounting yard but it is a very hot day.
“Kerrin made his intentions very clear early.
“He thought he was riding the best horse and rode him accordingly. It’s good to see him put a space on the field.
“I thought the second horse (Good Hotspur) ran particularly well.
“I 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 the winner, you might see him in the (Golden) Slipper on Saturday.”
Kerrin McEvoy echoed similar thoughts to Alexiou following the win.
“I wish I did that last start,” McEvoy said.
“He’s a nice colt moving forward and he was athletic out of the gate, so I just thought, right, if nothing’s 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 I actually asked Jason behind the gates, because he works with Gerald (Ryan) and he said he’s been leading in his work.
“So I thought, right, if he ends up in front, he’s going to be used to that scenario.
“He’s got to come in a week’s time again but fingers crossed he can pull up well.
“He did get quite warm and obviously two-year-olds week to week is a long time.
“Gerald and Sterling know if he can come again. He’s on the improve for sure.”
Skyhook is now in the Golden Slipper futures markets.
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