Quality Written Tycoon colt Skyhook was taking on the A graders last start when sixth in the $1million Group I ATC Arrowfield Sprint won by Tempted and he franked the depth of that form when leading all the way to win the Group III Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m).
Trained by Geraldy Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, Skyhook was ridden like a good thing by Josh Parr and taken to the front in his first try at 1400m for this preparation.
Fourth over this distance last spring in the Group I ATC Golden Rose won by Beiwacht in course record time, Skyhook found this assignment a comparative walk in the park.
He cruised along in front and gave a good kick to win by a length and a half over the Godolphin entry Burma Star takins his overall record to three wins and three placings from 11 starts with prizemoney topping $650,000.
The dominant win for Skyhook will see connections aim high with the brilliant three-year-old during the Brisbane autumn-winter carnival and the Group I $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 13 is a likely target.
"Skyhook is a well-bred colt so you have to look at Group 1 options like the Doomben 10,000 (May 16),'' Ryan said.
"But I believe this horse likes his races spaced and we might look at something like the (Group 3 $300,000) Fred Best Classic (1400m, Eagle Farm, May 30). If he wins that race, then he gets into the Stradbroke field.''
Now a three-time stakes-winner, Skyhook was a $575,000 Magic Millions purchase for his trainers from the Arrowfield Stud draft and runs for a big syndicate that includes Matthew Ennis of Stallion Match.
He is the second foal and first winner from winning Redoute’s Choice mare Madame Pauline, a winning sibling to Group III winner Anders and SW’s Ostraka and Caffe Florian.
Arrowfield sold a Dundeel yearling colt from Madame Pauline at Inglis Premier in the Glen Lee Thoroughbreds draft for $120,000 to Monarch Racing / Paul Moroney / Catheryne Bruggeman.
Madame Pauline was covered last sprint by Castelvecchio after missing to Maurice (Jpn).
