Go Racing’s talented European import Skyman has crossed the ditch to chase Group One glory.
Previously based with Champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller, Skyman has joined Stephen Marsh’s Cambridge barn this week and is being prepared for some lofty assignments this summer.
The winner of nine races and more than A$1 million in prizemoney, Skyman is being aimed towards the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham next month and Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa in March.
“He’s been a terrific horse for us,” Go Racing’s Matt Allnutt said.
“We purchased him from the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale in Newmarket, England in 2019. We only paid 42,000 Guineas for him, so he has proven to be great value.
“Chris Waller and his team have done an absolutely outstanding job with him but he’s just got to the stage now where he’s up in the handicaps and hard to place in Australia, so the decision was made to bring him to New Zealand and give him a crack at winning a Group One race here.
“The majority of his ownership group are based in New Zealand, Wellington especially, so it’s a great opportunity for them to have him race on their home turf and they’ll get a thrill out of that win, lose or draw.”
While he has yet to line-up in Group One company, Skyman has been successful at Listed level in Australia on four occasions and earlier this season he finished second behind subsequent A$10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) runner-up Pericles in the Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) and third in the Gr.3 Craven Plate (1800m) and Listed Ladies Day Cup (1500m).
“He’s been a terrific horse all the way through and he’s certainly got good form around him,” Allnutt said.
“With the Thorndon Mile being at set weights and penalties, he should get in with a really good weight, and as long as he adapts to New Zealand and settles in and does everything right, he’d have to be a chance.”
The son of Mukhadram arrived at Marsh Racing on Sunday night.
“Stephen said that he’s settled in well, he looks good in his work and he’s moving well,” Allnutt said. “The whole team is excited to have him there.”
