Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou hope to add another rich win when former Hong Kong prospect Matias contests the $3 million Big Dance at Randwick on Tuesday, after their stable claimed the $10 million Golden Eagle with Skyhook on Saturday.
The Rosehill stable claimed the $10 million Golden Eagle on Saturday when Skyhook edged out Decorum in the feature for four-year-olds. That win capped a four-run preparation that included victories in the group 2 Theo Marks and Shannon Stakes.
Skyhook, a son of Written Tycoon now destined for stud with a group 1 on his resume, will spell before a likely return in the Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick in February. Ryan noted the colt has won group races as a two, three and four-year-old, and is one of only two colts to have run in the Golden Slipper, Golden Rose and Golden Eagle.
Now attention turns to Matias, a four-year-old Snitzel gelding who jumps from gate one with 53 kilograms and Reece Jones aboard in Tuesday's Big Dance (1600m). The $14 TAB chance earned his spot with second in the wildcard race on October 17 at Randwick, following a fourth in the Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle.
Matias was on his way to Hong Kong following his Frank Packer Plate win in April before failing a vet check. Ryan said they probably started considering the Big Dance about three weeks before the Newcastle run. “We were looking at where we were going to start him, and we thought, I wonder if we could get him into the Big Dance qualifier?” Ryan said. “You had to run in a qualifying race to run in the wildcard, so went that way.”
Ryan said Matias probably lacked a bit of fitness first-up but reckons his fitness has improved since his last start. “First up, he probably lacked a bit of fitness,” he said. “Then the other day, he was perhaps looking for a tad further, but I do know since he raced then his coat has come right through. I reckon fitness-wise he's improved; it's just whether they are going to be sharp for him over 1600m or not.”
Ryan said the race looked likely to be strongly run, with about six horses going forward, and that he did not think Matias would be able to take advantage of gate one. Ciaron Maher-trained Gringotts was the $3.50 favourite to win a third consecutive Big Dance.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- A Big Dance win would give the Ryan-Alexiou stable its second group 1-level success in four days, cementing their spring carnival credentials.
- For punters and racing fans, the race features an intriguing mix of established form horses and emerging hopes like Matias.
- The Big Dance is a $3 million race that has become a spring highlight, with Gringotts chasing a three-peat.
Background
Gerald Ryan has trained for 35 years, and his partnership with Sterling Alexiou landed its second group 1 victory with Skyhook in the $10 million Golden Eagle on Saturday. Matias, a Snitzel gelding, was bound for Hong Kong before failing a vet check, and his preparation was redirected toward the Big Dance qualifying path.
What to Watch
- Whether Matias can handle the mile after being beaten when stretching out in the wildcard qualifier.
- The performance of Gringotts as he attempts a historic third consecutive Big Dance win.
- The impact of barrier one for Matias, with Ryan suggesting he may settle back despite the draw.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedRyan said, “We were looking at where we were going to start him, and we thought, I wonder if we could get him into the Big Dance qualifier?”WA Today - Latest News: ““We were looking at where we were going to start him, and we thought, I wonder if we could get him into the Big Dance qualifier?””
- SupportedRyan said, “You had to run in a qualifying race to run in the wildcard, so went that way.”WA Today - Latest News: ““You had to run in a qualifying race to run in the wildcard, so went that way.””
- SupportedRyan said, “First up, he probably lacked a bit of fitness.”WA Today - Latest News: ““First up, he probably lacked a bit of fitness,” Ryan said.”
- SupportedRyan said, “Then the other day, he was perhaps looking for a tad further, but I do know since he raced then his coat has come right through. I reckon fitness-wise he's improved; it's just whether they are going to be sharp for him over 1600m or not.”WA Today - Latest News: ““Then the other day, he was perhaps looking for a tad further, but I do know since he raced then his coat has come right through. I reckon fitness-wise he’s improved; it’s just whether they are going to be sharp for him over 1600m or not.””
- SupportedGolden Eagle-winning trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou are targeting another win with Matias in the Big Dance.WA Today - Latest News: “After a long-term plan delivered their greatest victory on Saturday, trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou hope a short-term program can produce another rich win at Randwick when former Hong Kong prospect Matias competes in the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) on Tuesday.”
- SupportedRyan and Alexiou aim to add the $3 million Big Dance to their spring carnival haul at Randwick on Tuesday.WA Today - Latest News: “After a long-term plan delivered their greatest victory on Saturday, trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou hope a short-term program can produce another rich win at Randwick when former Hong Kong prospect Matias competes in the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) on Tuesday.”
- SupportedThe stable won the $10 million Golden Eagle with Skyhook on Saturday.WA Today - Latest News: “The Rosehill stable claimed the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) on Saturday when Skyhook nosed out Decorum in the feature for four-year-olds”
- SupportedSkyhook’s four-run campaign included wins in the group 2 Theo Marks and Shannon Stakes.WA Today - Latest News: “capping a four-run campaign which also included wins in the group 2 Theo Marks and Shannon Stakes.”
- SupportedMatias is set to start from gate one with 53 kilograms and Reece Jones aboard in Tuesday’s Big Dance.WA Today - Latest News: “They can add a Big Dance to their achievements when Matias jumps from gate one with 53 kilograms and Reece Jones aboard on Tuesday.”
- SupportedMatias, a $14 TAB chance, earned his place with second in the October 17 Randwick wildcard after finishing fourth in the Cameron Handicap at Newcastle.WA Today - Latest News: “A $14 TAB chance, the four-year-old Snitzel gelding earned a spot in the race with second in the wildcard race on October 17 at Randwick. That came after the group 3 winner at 1800m and 2000m returned with fourth in the Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle.”
- SupportedMatias was headed to Hong Kong after his Frank Packer Plate win in April but failed a vet check.WA Today - Latest News: “Matias was on his way to Hong Kong following his Frank Packer Plate win in April before failing a vet check.”
- SupportedCiaron Maher-trained Gringotts was the $3.50 favourite to win a third consecutive Big Dance.WA Today - Latest News: “Ciaron Maher-trained Gringotts was a $3.50 favourite to win a third consecutive Big Dance.”