Pago Pago Stakes winner Skyhook set to get Golden Slipper chance on seven-day back alongside stablemate King Of Pop

Black Opal Stakes winner King Of Pop and Pago Pago Stakes victor Skyhook will give Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou plenty of firepower in the $5 million Golden Slipper.

Skyhook was dominant in the Pago Pago Stakes. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images.

Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou are poised to unleash an imposing two-pronged Golden Slipper attack after exciting colt Skyhook pulled up “bright and well” from Saturday’s Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes romp.

Ryan and Alexiou already had Group 3 Black Opal Stakes winner King Of Pop bound for the world’s richest two-year-old before Skyhook thrust himself into the frame at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Skyhook produced one of the most impressive performances of all the Slipper lead up to earn ballot exemption and will look to back it up seven-days later at the same venue.

“It’s not ideal backing up but it has been done before and he’s on his home track,” Ryan said.

“He didn’t have a float trip on Saturday, leaving here at 11.30am and was back home in his box at 2.15pm.

“The run doesn’t appear to have take too much out of him, he’s nice and bright.

“He ate enough feed on Saturday night, he didn’t clean the bin but that was too be expected. He did eat a lot of hay and was quite bright and well on Sunday morning.”

Ryan believes both Skyhook and King Of Pop are in the Slipper “up to their ears” with Kerrin McEvoy set to ride Skyhook ($8) and Zac Lloyd will partner King Of Pop ($21).

*Mr Brightside ruled out of Group 1 George Ryder Stakes

Skyhook is going to the Golden Slipper! 💥

Skyhook wins the Pago Pago Stakes for @RARacing_! 👏 pic.twitter.com/HWVz4tmoea

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 15, 2025

Skyhook will be attempting to become the fifth two-year-old to win the Pago Pago Stakes-Golden Slipper double, joining Shinzo (2023), Stratum (2005), Rory’s Jester (1985) and Inspired (1984).

King Of Pop is trying to become the first horse this century to claim the Black Opal Stakes-Golden Slipper double, a feat that’s only been achieved by Catbird in 1999.

Skyhook might not be the only Ryan and Alexiou-trained galloper to line up on the seven-day back up with Eagle Nest a possible starter in the Group 1 $1 million The Galaxy (1100m) on Saturday.

Eagle Nest is set to go through the Inglis Chairman’s Sale next month and picked up some extremely valuable black-type over the weekend with victory in the Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens.

*Freedman mulls options for Skybird as Attrition builds towards Australian Cup

Eagle Nest – Rises Above the Rest! 🦅

The @RARacing_ stable scores a double at Rosehill with @RachelK11 in the saddle! 👏 pic.twitter.com/VAayQCKmEb

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 15, 2025

“She might back up because there is not a lot around for her,” Ryan said.

“She is an 1100m horse and has had six wins, all that distance from 12 or 13 starts, with four placings.

“There is nothing around for her for ages so if she continues to do well, we might back her up given that it’s on her home track.

“If she runs a hole in it, she is going to be worth a couple of hundred thousand dollars more.”

Pago Pago Stakes runner up Good Hotspur will next line up in the Group 3 T L Bailleau Handicap (1400m) while Magic Night Stakes placegetter Dream Side is being aimed at the Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m).

Originally published as Pago Pago Stakes winner Skyhook set to get Golden Slipper chance on seven-day back alongside stablemate King Of Pop