Coolmore Stud Stakes contender Skyhook has come to Melbourne searching for a change of fortune on Saturday and a set of winkers might just unlock his full potential.
The son of Written Tycoon has won twice in seven starts, the Pago Pago Stakes and the Rosebud, but more often than not his postscript from races is full of what ifs.
“His two wins are about the only time he hasn’t had a tale of woe,” co-trainer Sterling Alexiou said.
“He should have at least run second in the Run To The Rose, but Tempted was excellent that day. In the Golden Rose he just got trapped wide as they were running a track record.”
“We came down here early to go down the straight last week, and he had a good look around as he trialled, so we might need to focus him.”
“We’re going to give a hitout in the morning [Tuesday] with the winkers on just to see if they help.”
Craig Williams will ride in the Coolmore and thought Skyhook would need to take benefit from his trial down the straight.
However, Alexiou pointed out Skyhook has regularly looked plain in previous trials.
“He can be a frustrating horse because of it, but the days he has got it right, he has won,” Alexiou said. “We know it is there.”
“He has settled in very well down here and if he gets the right sort of run on the weekend he is capable of winning it.”
Skyhook remains an $11 chance for the Coolmore in a market dominated by Godolphin colts, Golden Rose winner Beiwacht and Tentyris at $3 and $3.50.
