Classic effort from hot staying prospect

Talented staying three-year-old Kiwi Skyhawk produced a stirring performance at Trentham to gain a richly deserved victory.

The Stephen Marsh-trained Cambridge Stud graduate came from the tail of the field to land the thick end of the stake in the G3 Manawatu Classic over 2100 metres.

“With the pattern of the day, the plan was always to get back – possibly not 14 lengths off them at the 800 metres, but he’s a lovely horse and it’s great to see him deliver on a big day,” stable representative Dylan Johnson said.

“We elected to go back and ride him like the best horse in the race. We know he has a sharp turn of foot. Matt gave him a lovely, patient ride and it was a good win.

“Stephen has done a brilliant job. We’ve been quite light with him through the summer, which opens up the possibility of taking him to Brisbane in the winter. Bourbon Lane are a great bunch of owners who might enjoy a trip.”

A son of Contributor, Kiwi Skyhawk has raced creditably in strong company this season and finished third in the Listed War Decree Stakes before a game fourth in the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas.

Following a break, he was fifth in both the Karaka Millions 3YO and G1 New Zealand Derby before doubling his winning tally with his Trentham success.

Kiwi Skyhawk was last with 600 metres to run when rider Matt Cartwright urged him forward and, after cornering the widest runner, he produced a sustained finish to win by a length.

“I actually love riding this horse. He’s the kindest horse in the stable,” he said.

“They rolled along for the first part of the race and I was a fair way off them, but I really just trusted my horse.

“I have a lot of faith in him and he proved the talent that he’s got. I’m hoping he gets some good confidence out of this win.”

Kiwi Skyhawk was bred by Warwick Doughty and sold through our draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at Karaka where he was knocked down to Marsh and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock for $240,000.

He is a half-brother to stakes winners Rock Dove and Midland with their dam the Dubawi mare Pouter who has a yearling filly by Hello Youmzain and is in foal to our new stallion Chaldean.

Pouter’s pedigree has a strong international flavour with her dam a half-sister to the G1 Mother Goose Stakes winner Dreams Galore, who was also runner-up in both the G1 Kentucky Oaks and American Oaks.

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