Skyhook Asserts Authority In Rosebud Victory

Dane Squance - Saturday August 16

Arguably one of the leading 2yo colts last season with victory in the Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes, Written Tycoon’s Skyhook resumed with a significant weight impost to win the Listed Rosebud at Rosehill on Saturday.

The conditions of the $200,000 feature 3yo race saw the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexious trained Skyhook carry 60.5kg, two and a half more than the next highest weighted runner Blitzburg (Snitzel).

With money coming for the one-time Golden Slipper favourite Pallaton, the Michael Freedman trained Wootton Bassett colt jumped away the race favourite with Skyhook on the second line of betting just ahead of impressive last start winner Nashville Jack (Farnan).

Second Black Type Victory For Written Tycoon's Skyhook - Image Bradley Photos

With just six runners facing the starter, it was Brad Widdup’s Nashville Jack who went forward to take up the lead with Blitzburg sitting just off him in second.

As the field headed to the home turn and outsider Peleus (Pariah) started to pull himself forward to be in a challenging position, Kerrin McEvoy was bidding his time in last position aboard Skyhook.

As the six runners where almost in a line reaching the 300m mark, Pallaton was making his move along the inside rail while Skyhook had gone to the outside of the field to make his challenge.

Coming through the middle of the six was the Peter Snowden trained Grand Prairie (I Am Invincible) who momentarily took the lead before Skyhook’s class and determination saw the colt pull clear, winning by a half-length margin.

With Skyhook carrying 7kgs more than the runner up, the victory over Grand Prairie was even more impressive, with Pallaton a further two lengths back in third.

Taking his record to two wins and two placed efforts (all at black type level) from just five starts and over $380,000 in prizemoney, the exiting colt holds a nomination to the Group 1 Golden Rose on September 27.

Although very confident in the ability of his colt, Ryan was slightly concerned about the wet track.

"I went through all the Written Tycoon's (performances) on wet tracks and he hadn't got many wet trackers," Ryan said.

Advertisement

"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."

Having won the Rosebud with Menari back in 2017 before that colt went on to win the Group 3 Run To The Rose before contesting the Group 1 Golden Rose, Ryan saw no reason not to follow the same path with Skyhook.

"That's one of the reasons we ran him today and got him up early because I don't reckon he's a horse that can go two weeks-two weeks apart," he said.

"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."

Purchased by Ryan and Alexiou for $575,000 from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the Magic Millions yearling sale, the chestnut colt races for a large group of owners headed by his trainers and Matthew Ennis’s Stallion Match.

Skyhook is the second foal, and first winner out of the dual winning Redoute’s Choice mare Madame Pauline, herself a three-quarter sister to Group 3 winner Anders (also a winner of the Listed Rosebud) and the Listed winner Ostraka.

The Flashing Chestnut Skyhook Holds A Group 1 Golden Rose Nomination - Image Bradley Photos

Madame Pauline currently has a yearling colt by Dundeel and will not have a foal this season after unfortunately slipping to Maurice (Jpn).

Skyhook is one of 77 stakes winners headed by 17 individual Group 1 winners for Champion Sire Witten Tycoon who will stand at Yulong this season at a Private Fee.

Advertisment

Race Result - Drinkwise Rosebud LR 1100m

Rosehill Track: Heavy(8) Time: 1:06.12
1
Skyhook
- 3c Written Tycoon (AUS) x Madame Pauline (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: K Mc Evoy 60.5
MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale $575,000
Seller: Arrowfield Stud, Scone, NSW (As Agent)
Buyer: Ryan & Alexiou Racing Pty Ltd
2
0.6
Grand Prairie
- 3c Written Tycoon (AUS) x Viddora (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: Peter Snowden Rdr: Tom Sherry 53.5
Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale $0
Seller: Yulong, Nagambie, Vic
Buyer: Passed In - Reserve: $500,000
3
2.5
Pallaton
- 3c Wootton Bassett (GB) x Anevay (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Freedman Rdr: Tommy Berry 54.5
Wootton Bassett
4
4.8
Nashville Jack
- 3c Farnan (AUS) x Dixie Chick (AUS) (Star Witness (AUS))
Tnr: Brad Widdup Rdr: J R Collett 56
5
6.7
Blitzburg
- 3c Snitzel (AUS) x Sierra (JPN) (Orfevre (JPN))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: Tim Clark 58
6
7.3
Peleus
- 3c Pariah (AUS) x Desert Flower (AUS) (Animal Kingdom (USA))
Tnr: Annabel & Rob Archibald Rdr: Ashley Morgan 54
More Reading...
Cogburn Sire Not This Time on Fire at Keeneland September
If you have been considering sending a mare to Widden Stud’s exciting new shuttle sire Cogburn (USA) or have already booked one in you are going to be pretty interested in what is going on at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale this week where his sire Not This Time is in hot demand.
Vale, Ryan Smith
Victorian breeding farm Kulani Park are mourning the loss of partner and family member Ryan Smith.
Mulberry Racing Purchase $550,000 Colt at Keeneland September
Australian based Mulberry Racing featured on the buyers list during the first session of the Keenland September Yearling Sale purchasing a colt by Quality Road for $550,000.
Waller Army Leads Cox Plate First Acceptances
Defending champion Via Sistina is among 21 horses champion trainer Chris Waller still has in contention for the $6 million 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate, following the closure of first acceptances on Tuesday.
Tragic News from Milburn Creek – Vale, Secret Admirer
Spring brings so many foaling stories from our studs each year and while the majority have a happy ending, sometimes things sadly don’t go as planned.
Kiwi Cup Hopeful Headed to Melbourne
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Wolfgang will fly to Melbourne on Wednesday to commence his path towards the A$10 million feature.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 9
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Manikato Next for Alabama Lass
New Zealand sprinter Alabama Lass will press on for a tilt at the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley later this month following her runner-up effort in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at the Melbourne track last Saturday.
MRC Committee Returned Unopposed
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has confirmed the results of the 2025 nominations for the MRC Executive Committee and the Mornington Advisory Group (MAG), which will be formally ratified at the Club’s Annual General Meeting on 25 September.
Skyhook into Golden Slipper
Talented Written Tycoon colt Skyhook has been a big watch horse at Breednet since he won his first barrier trial at Rosehill on February 3 and has now earned a shot at the Golden Slipper with a bold front running win in the $250,000 Group III ATC Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.