Kiwi Skyhawk breaks through in Manawatu Classic

Breednet - Saturday March 29

After a series of highly creditable performances against some of the best of his age group, Kiwi Skyhawk broke through for his first feature-race success in Saturday’s Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2100m) at Trentham.

Kiwi Skyhawk winning Saturday’s Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2100m) at Trentham. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

The Contributer gelding was a third placegetter on debut at Te Rapa on July 27 last year, then scored a 1400m maiden victory at the same venue a fortnight later.

Kiwi Skyhawk had gone winless through the seven months since then, but ran third in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1400m), fourth in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), fifth in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), seventh in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) and a last-start fifth in Willydoit’s Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).

On paper, Saturday’s $150,000 Manawatu Classic appeared to be a big step down for the Stephen Marsh-trained Kiwi Skyhawk, who jumped as a $2 favourite.

Ridden for the sixth time in his career by Matt Cartwright, Kiwi Skyhawk settled near the tail of the field as Shockabella set a strong pace and strung the field right out along Trentham’s back straight.

Cartwright never panicked, even when he dropped out to a clear last and more than a dozen lengths from the lead coming down the side of the track. He allowed Kiwi Skyhawk to warm into his work while waiting for the leaders to feel the effects of the torrid early pace.

The race changed rapidly coming into the home turn as the front-runners faded out of contention, and Cartwright brought Kiwi Skyhawk with big bounds down the outside. The favourite strode to the lead at the 150m mark and kicked away from a tightly bunched group of chasers, going on to win by a length.

Kiwi Skyhawk has become a real favourite for Cartwright, who celebrated his black-type breakthrough with a fist pump just after the finish line.

“I actually love riding this horse,” the Australian jockey said. “He’s the kindest horse in Marshy’s stable. That’s why I was a bit excited going past the line – just because I really like this horse and it was good for him to get this win. Hopefully he can go on with it from here.

Advertisement

“They rolled along for the first part of the race and I was a fair way off them. But I had a bit of trust in the horse Craig Grylls was riding, Way Out West, who was one of the favoured runners. I knew Craig was going to have to make a move at some stage to get into the race, so I followed him.

“I really just trusted my horse as well. I have a lot of faith in him and a lot of time for him. He proved the talent that he’s got. I’m hoping he gets some good confidence out of this win.”

Kiwi Skyhawk was part of a big afternoon for Marsh. Talented three-year-old Super Photon had earlier won The Oaks Stud (1200m) in his first start since October, while Takeshi provided a third win on the Trentham card in the Intowin.co.nz (1600m). Last season’s champion two-year-old Velocious was also a winner at Te Aroha.

Both Super Photon and Kiwi Skyhawk race in the colours of major Marsh stable clients the Bourbon Lane stable.

The third individual stakes winner out of the Dubawi mare Pouter, Kiwi Skyhawk was a $240,000 purchase by Stephen Marsh Racing and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock in Book 1 of Karaka 2024.

Kiwi Skyhawk has now had 10 starts for two wins, three placings and $212,975 in stakes.

By Richard Edmunds, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Visit the profile page for Contributer

Contributer in upcoming sales:
Advertisment

Race Result - Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic Gr3 2100m

Trentham Track: Good(4) Time: 2:07.80
1
Kiwi Skyhawk
- 3g Contributer (IRE) x Pouter (AUS) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 57.00
2
1
Dubai's Potiki
- 3f Ocean Park (NZ) x Dubai Belle (NZ) (E Dubai (USA))
Tnr: C A Bambry Rdr: R T Elliot 57.00
3
1.2
Prochester
- 3g Proisir (AUS) x Vanilla Chinchilla (NZ) (Reliable Man (GB))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: G Rooke 57.00
4
1.3
Freddie Time
- 3g Time Test (GB) x Skite (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: Kelvin Tyler Rdr: L T Hemi 57.00
5
1.4
Way Out West
- 3f U S Navy Flag (USA) x Candybelle (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Forsman Rdr: C J Grylls 55.00
6
2.7
Joan's Joker
- 3g Eminent (IRE) x Dance All Day (NZ) (Cullen (AUS))
Tnr: G R Vile Rdr: M Hashizume 57.00
7
4.3
Coulthard
- 3g Redwood (GB) x Best Of British (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: J K Riddell 57.00
8
16.2
Honoka
- 3f Staphanos (JPN) x Forever Hailey (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: Joe Doyle 55.00
9
16.3
I Park
- 3g Ocean Park (NZ) x Star Bright (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: Ms L Brennan Rdr: W F Pinn 57.00
10
20.5
Scandalize
- 3g Shocking (AUS) x Barbara Jennie (NZ) (Bahhare (USA))
Tnr: M N Eales Rdr: K R Hercock 57.00
11
29.7
Shockabella
- 3f Shocking (AUS) x My Isabella (NZ) (O'reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson Rdr: S C Spratt 55.00
More Reading...
Kiwi Skyhawk wins G3 Trelawney Stud Championship
Kiwi Skyhawk’s last-gasp thriller in the Gr.3 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday delivered a milestone result for his trainer Stephen Marsh.
Horse Trading Stock Issues to Avoid
One of the key areas in thoroughbred taxation is accounting for trading stock and ensuring the tax closing value is properly ascertained. You’d be quite surprised of the enormous difference to the tax position of any racing player where trading stock problems occur.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Richard Johnston has bred some very good horses under his Bylong Park banner including triple Group I winner Think It Over and an Anders three year-old he bred and races was an eye-catching debut winner at Hawkesbury on Thursday.
Aquis Welcome First foals for Young Gun Officiating
A fast Group winning sprinter by Breeders Cup Classic winner Blame, Officiating (USA) was carefully selected by Aquis Stallions following a global headhunting mission to secure an outcross stallion for Queensland and his first foals are arriving this spring.
La Dorada Chasing Redemption at Valley
Last season’s champion NZ two-year-old La Dorada will be out to prove her ability against her Australian counterparts on Friday night when she contests the Gr.3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.
Boutique Breeder Gets a Result with Plan B
A forced change of plan with a daughter of Dubawi has produced another success story for Sydney breeder Warwick Doughty.
Invincible Filly Snares $100,000 Inglis Bonus
The least expensive filly by champion sire I Am Invincible sold at Inglis Easter in 2024, Wear the Crown always looked to have been well bought at $260,000 by Seib/Racing / Champion Thoroughbreds and she set about repaying her purchase price at Goulburn on Thursday.
Breeding to Win - 2025 Manikato Stakes
Racing at The Valley on Grand Final Eve in Melbourne - the southern capital doing what it does best, bringing people together in celebration of sporting greatness!
Golden Rose Colts – Sires of the Future
The $1million Group I ATC Golden Rose (1400m) this Saturday offers the winner far more than prizemoney and assuming it’s a colt he is given a golden ticket to a commercial stud career, so let’s take a look at this year’s contenders, who would you want on your stallion roster in 2026?
€1.9million Sale-Topping Colt Wins G3 Somerville Stakes
The Group III Somerville Stakes (7f) was run at Newmarket overnight with the Godolphin blue carried by exciting Night of Thunder colt Distant Storm, who they purchased for a sale-topping €1.9million at the Arqana May Breeze Up Sale earlier this year.