Sky’s the limit for 2025 Golden Slipper hopeful Skyhook on Saturday

Trainer Sterling Alexiou is banking on natural improvement enhancing Skyhook’s claims on Saturday’s Group 2 $300,000 Skyline Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick.

Trainer Sterling Alexiou is banking on natural improvement enhancing Skyhook’s claim on Saturday’s Group 2 $300,000 Skyline Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick.

Skyhook was beaten but not disgraced on debut when third behind unbeaten speedster Shaggy last month and will attempt to turn the tables in the juvenile colts and geldings feature.

Shaggy, a $2.30 favourite, is the horse to beat again but Alexiou is confident Skyhook ($8) is ready to close the gap as he heads towards the Group 1 $5 million Golden Slipper.

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“He went into that his first start the other day only having one start and one jump out ever,” Alexiou, who trains with Gerald Ryan, said.

“I can imagine there is good improvement to come from him.

“In saying that, the winner Shaggy looked good the other day and put a fair margin on us but the step up to 1200m and a good barrier will help his cause.”

Skyhook has drawn well in barrier one for the Skyline Stakes with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle.

The jump could be key to Skyhook’s success.

Zoinks! Shaggy leads all the way to win the Pierro Plate and races into TAB Golden Slipper contention for Allan Kehoe!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/a233Smg15g

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 15, 2025

• ‘We have to fight hard to get what we can’: The battlers serving it up to the behemoths

“He stepped a bit awkward on debut and I wouldn’t want to see him do that this week from barrier one,” Alexiou said.

“If Kerrin (McEvoy) can get him out nice and handy, I’d imagine he will be in the first four or five and should get a good trip.

“We will be finishing off hard.”

The fillies division of Saturday’s two-year-old races will see a healthy field of 15 juveniles face off in the Group 2 $300,000 Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m).

Brilliant Lonhro Plate winner Bellazaine shares $4 favouritism for the Slipper lead-up with the Chris Waller-trained Snitzel Miss.

Another 2YO feature to @GaiWaterhouse1 -Bott, as Bellazaine wins the Listed @DarleyAus Lonhro Plate with @Reganbayliss in the saddle!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/uWZCRppeCm

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 8, 2025

• Minor setback for Winx’s $10m filly

The race to the Slipper remains wide open just over three weeks out from the race.

Wodeton ($3.50) is the one horse in single digits with bookies for the Golden Slipper while second favourite Apocalyptic was ruled out of the autumn on Tuesday afternoon.

Originally published as Sky’s the limit for 2025 Golden Slipper hopeful Skyhook on Saturday