Victoria Derby Goal for Fiorente 3YO Skyphios

Tara Madgwick - Saturday July 16

The $150,000 VRC Byerley Handicap (1800m) at Flemington on Saturday was expected to produce another victory for last start stakes-winning filly Quang Tri and it certainly looked that way when she shot clear of her rivals with a furlong to run.

Skyphios wins at Flemington to secure a start in the Victoria Derby - image Brett Holburt / Racing Photos

Quang Tri had a bit of work to do in the run after being caught wide, but she looked the winner until Fiorente (IRE) gelding Skyphios charged home from last to win by three-quarters of a length running away.

Trained by Rob Blacker, Skyphios was fifth two starts ago in the Listed VRC Anzac Day Stakes before finishing unplaced behind Quang Tri last start in the Listed VRC Taj Rossi Final over 1600m, but relished the step up in distance and a cold ride from Harry Coffey to break his maiden.

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With nearly six lengths back to the third horse, it’s a good indication the first two juveniles home are well above average and the winner now has automatic entry to the Victoria Derby with the Byerley Handicap a qualifying race.

The Group I VRC Victoria Derby (2500m) in the spring is the goal for Skyphios with his trainer keen to see his charge perform over longer distances.

“He got between horses in the Taj Rossi and was over-racing so that race was a wipe,” said Blacker.

“I thought nine furlongs at Flemington today would be a completely different race.

“We’ll give him a little break now as there is no pressure. He’s been running in races that were too short for him his whole life and I think a couple of 2000m runs before the Derby will do him.”

Retained to race by his breeders, Skyphios has a pedigree that screams Derby being by Widden Stud based Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente from Spleasure, a winning daughter of Epsom Derby winning sire New Approach (IRE).

Spleasure is a grand-daughter of four time Group I winning Sadler’s Wells mare Islington, whose dam Hellenic won the Group I Yorkshire Oaks and produced Group I winning stayers Greek Dance and Mountain High in addition to Islington.

Hellenic is also the third dam of Fiorente, so Skyphios is line bred to this exceptional racemare and producer 4 x 4.

A proven sire of staying stakes-winners, Fiorente has a couple of big crops of rising two and three year-olds in the pipeline that should ensure plenty of success for him over the next few seasons as they mature.

Fiorente, click for more information.

The two time Group I winning son of Monsun stands this spring at a fee of $9,900.

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Race Result - Byerley Hcp 1800m

Flemington Track: Soft(6) Time: 1:52.14
1
Skyphios
- 2g Fiorente (IRE) x Spleasure (AUS) (New Approach (IRE))
Tnr: R J Blacker Rdr: H Coffey 54
2
0.8
Quang Tri
- 2f Shalaa (IRE) x Saigon Tea (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: W Egan 59
3
5.8
Midnight Glow
- 2g Sebring (AUS) x Midnight Fantasy (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: J P Salanitri Rdr: Dean Holland 54
4
6.5
Badda Boom Baby
- 2f Smart Missile (AUS) x Think Out Loud (AUS) (So You Think (NZ))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Jamie Kah 54
5
6.6
Disturbia
- 2f Turn Me Loose (NZ) x New Age Rocka (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: E & D Browne Rdr: Ethan Brown 54
6
7.6
Winning Bid
- 2f Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Anchor Bid (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: Ms L J Meech 54
7
7.7
Transzam
- 2g Pierro (AUS) x Commanding Secret (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: Craig Williams 54
8
7.8
Verifier
- 2c Tivaci (AUS) x Checkout (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: N A Blackiston Rdr: Jye McNeil 54.5
9
8.8
Laurie Blue
- 2f Adelaide (IRE) x Cassie's Favourite (AUS) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: Colin Scott Rdr: Carleen Hefel 54
10
8.9
Shamister
- 2g Shalaa (IRE) x Mandistana (FR) (Azamour (IRE))
Tnr: L & T Corstens Rdr: D W Stackhouse 54.5
11
9.0
Highland Blaze
- 2c Highland Reel (IRE) x Bells Of Troy (AUS) (Clangalang (AUS))
Tnr: Jackson Pallot Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 54.5
12
19.0
Ostile
- 2g Shocking (AUS) x Acquisto (NZ) (Thewayyouare (USA))
Tnr: Mitchell Freedman Rdr: Alana Kelly 54
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