Sky High Stakes – 2022

Track: Heavy Weather: Mostly Fine with a chance of a shower.

Ten runners have accepted for the $350,000 Group 3 Sky High Stakes. The Chris Waller stable is saddling up two runners whilst all other trainers have just the one entry each.

The early favourite in the betting is the Hawkes trained Mount Popa, who was wide throughout in his first-up run in the Chipping Norton Stakes. He still ran a solid race, finishing within three lengths back in ninth whilst running some solid sectionals. Stockman is second in the betting and is also coming off a a tough run first-up, finishing behind Mount Popa in the same race.

Sky Lab rounds out the top three in betting and he is coming off a swooping win at Rosehill last start over the 1400m in a weaker ground. The son of Real Impact really excels in the wet and that was shown first-up, easily lugging 60kg to a 0.6 length victory.

1. Great House (1)

He was a black booker after his first-up run in Parramatta Cup, where he ran some nice sectionals to finish fourth. Should run solidly with big plans in mind.

2. Spirit Ridge (9)

First-up. Three trials in preparation for this and does generally run well first-up. Solid soft track record but will appreciate a dryer surface. Prefer others.

3. Mount Popa (4)

Wide throughout behind Verry Ellegant in the Chipping Norton. Will appreciate the extra distance and goes okay on the wet. Drawn well. Big chance.

4. Sky Lab (3)

Super win first-up running a new peak figure. Gets the lugging bit first time. Draw would be good but has a habit of being slow out. Needs breaks but has the X Factor.

5. Stockman (5)

Loves the wet and will appreciate the step up to 2000m. Drawn ideally. Main player.

6. Torrens (10)

First-up. Norton Bit off. He comes to hand quickly but this might be a touch too tough this early in the preparation.

7. Toomuchtobear (7)

Has been consistent this preparation, finishing no further back than third. 2000m suits and will appreciate the track drying out.

8. Alakahan (2)

First-up. Can’t have.

9. Savvy Valentino (8)

Was a bit plain first-up in Canberra. He is going to love the extra distance and doesn’t mind the sting out of the ground. Can’t have.

10. Le Baol (10)

This horse ran home nicely last start despite being given none until late in the race. Good jockey chance, should map better and should be a player.

The following are the top 4 selections for this year’s race.

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
10 Le Baol	3 Mount Popa
3 Mount Popa	4 Sky Lab
1 Great House	7 Toomuchtobear
4 Sky Lab	1 Great House

Group 3 Black Opal Stakes 2022 (Canberra 1200m)

Listed National Sprint 2022 (Canberra 1400m)

Group 1 Coolmore Classic 2022 (Rosehill 1500m)

Group 2 Ajax Stakes 2022 (Rosehill 1500m)

Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes 2022 (Rosehill 1500m)

Group 3 Magic Night Stakes 2022 (Rosehill 1200m)

Group 3 Pago Pago Stakes 2022 (Rosehill 1200m)

Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes 2022 (Rosehill 1100m)

Group 1 Newmarket Handicap 2022 (Flemington 12oom)

Group 1 Australian Cup 2022 (Flemington 2000m)

Group 2 Kewney Stakes 2022 (Flemington 1600m)

Group 2 VRC Sires Produce 2022 (Flemington 1400m)

Group 3 Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap 2022 (Flemington 1400m)

Group 3 Matron Stakes 2022 (Flemington 1600m)

Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes 2022 (Flemington 1200m)

Listed Moomba Plate 2022 (Flemington 1100m)