Group form is always good form – and that’s exactly what Skyhook (Written Tycoon) brought to the Listed Rosebud. Resuming in style, the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained colt was dominant, winning with authority and showing that the sky could be the limit, and that he can become a serious spring contender.
A high-class two-year-old, Skyhook won the Gr.3 Pago Pago Stakes and placed in the Gr.2 Skyline Stakes. Returning to racing with 60.5kg on his back, he was tasked with giving away a significant weight advantage to his rivals – 7kg and 6.5kg more than the placegetters, but he still proved too good.
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy allowed the field to roll early, settling last of the six runners. Nashville Jack (Farnan) and Blitzburg (Snitzel) made the running at a genuine tempo, while race favourite Pallaton (Wootton Bassett {GB}) settled in the trail, albeit a little keenly.
At the top of the straight, the field fanned across the track and presented their runs – but it was Skyhook who travelled best. Let loose down the outside, he bounded home to win by just over half a length from Grand Prairie (Written Tycoon), who made it a quinella for their sire. Pallaton boxed on fairly for third along the rail which may have been slightly inferior going.
It was a performance that impressed co-trainer Gerald Ryan.
“He worked here on Wednesday a week ago on the course proper, and Jason, who has ridden work for me for ten or twelve years, he said this is the best horse we’ve had since Menari,” Ryan said.
“I went through all the Written Tycoon’s (performances) on wet tracks and he hadn’t got many wet trackers. But he’s had a great prep. He’s a horse that doesn’t take heaps of work. He doesn’t get gross and he’s got the right attitude.
“He’s a horse that needs his races spaced. We’ll now go four weeks into The Run To The Rose and then two weeks into the Golden Rose. He’s a good horse.
“We’ve been going to the sales looking at Written Tycoons ever since Written Tycoon went to stud, and this is the only Written Tycoon we’ve bought. We loved him at the sales.”
Skyhook was purchased for $575,000 by Ryan and Alexiou Racing from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is the second foal from Madame Pauline (Redoute’s Choice), a two-time winner and a three-quarter-sister to Gr.3 San Domenico Stakes winner Anders, a speed machine now standing at Widden Stud. Ostraka (Snitzel) is another three-quarter-sibling, and he was a Listed winner in the Queensland Day Stakes.
Written for TTRAusNZ
