Connections of Skysoblue are considering Australian options to cash in on the Group performer’s return to form.
The Oaks Stud-bred and owned mare is a dud on heavily rain-affected going and the Cambridge farm’s general manager Rick Williams is looking further afield for suitable opportunities for her.
“She’s useless on the slow and heavy tracks so the Rotorua Cup is out and I’ll have a look at the New South Wales and Victorian programmes to see what there is for her,” he said.
“She’s right at the top of her game and we could do a hit and run raid on Saturday week if there’s something there or maybe stay for a couple of races.”
Trained by Graeme Sanders, the six-year-old Skysoblue has won seven races and finished runner-up in both the Gr.2 Wellington Cup and the Gr.2 Avondale Cup in the summer.
The free-going daughter of Cape Cross earned a further black type credit last time out at Te Rapa when she finished third in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes.
“She’s very well and right at the top of her game and I’ve half a mind to race on with her next year – she seems to be getting better as she’s getting older,” Williams said.
Meanwhile, the stud is more than happy to continue to race the two-year-old Alter Ego, who is unbeaten in two appearances from Chris Wood’s yard.
“A couple of agents have made inquiries and there’s been interest from Hong Kong,” Williams said. “If he’s not sold he’ll either run in the Great Northern Foal Stakes (May 24) or we’ll wait a week for the Castletown Stakes at Wanganui.
“He’ll go where the track is best and if they’re too bad we’ll spell him and set him for the spring – we think he’s up to stakes class.”
Alter Ego followed his first-up win at Pukekohe with another impressive performance at Te Rapa.
“The track there was marginal for him and he led to make use of the draw, but as Michael (Coleman) said he was waiting for the opposition,” Williams said.
“He’ll be a better chaser and I’d like to see him come from off the speed if possible next time out.”
