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

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
NZB Karaka Book 1 $240,000
Seller: Cambridge Stud
Buyer: Stephen Marsh Racing / Dylan Johnson Bloodstock
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
NZB Karaka Book 2 $0
Seller: Woburn Farm
Buyer: Psd, Res $50,000
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...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
There were six heats for juveniles at Rosehill on Friday that featured some interesting winners including stakes-placed filly Horseshoe Hill, a couple of unraced youngsters by Zoustar and the highest priced yearling by Prague.
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.
New Winner for Bivouac
Godolphin have been  enjoying a winning run with their late season juveniles and it continued at Geelong on Thursday where Bivouac gelding Loving opened his account.
North Pacific 2YO Ready to Win
Byerley Park trainer Steven Cole will head to Ellerslie with a quartet of runners on Saturday, and he is particularly upbeat about the chances of Pacific Breeze in the Network Visuals 1200.
SWs in foal to Wootton Bassett and Snitzel headline the June (Early) Online Sale
Stakes winners in foal to Wootton Bassett and Snitzel, along with a significant number of young, well-bred racing and breeding prospects headline another intriguing catalogue for the Inglis Digital June (Early) Online Sale.
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 5
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Another Day, Another Stakes-Winner for Wootton Bassett
A homebred for Marc Chan, quality Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Green Impact closed out his juvenile season winning the Group II Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown and he bounced back into the winner’s list at the same venue overnight.
A Passion That Lasts a Lifetime
A passion for pedigrees and thoroughbreds is often one that lasts a lifetime and so it has been for one of the co-breeders of Bravery, who contacted me this week following our earlier and very well read story on current 2YO star Cool Archie.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 Queensland Oaks
Unbeaten this preparation, Philia will be looking to emulate her half-sister Duais in winning the $1million Group I BRC Queensland Oaks (2200m) on Saturday, but a swarm of up and comers are nipping at her heels, so who are they?
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.