Skew Wiff to Cross the Tasman

Recent Group One winner Skew Wiff (4 m Savabeel – Starvoia, by Starcraft) had a quiet exhibition gallop between races on Wednesday at Matamata.

Not after time, Skew Wiff worked steadily over 1000 metres in 1:08, last 600m in 40.8, and pleased rider Opie Bosson.

“She was nice and relaxed for her and feels good,” Bosson said.

Dual Group One placed before beating what was widely considered the strongest Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400m) in recent years on 9 September at Hastings, which included nine Group One winners, four of whom won Group One races last year in Australia, Skew Wiff is preparing for assignments in Australia.

Co-trainer Mark Walker said: “It’s good to keep her mind ticking over and we might give her another exhibition next Friday (29 September) at Te Rapa.”

Skew Wiff is scheduled to fly the following Tuesday (3 October) to the Te Akau stable at Cranbourne, Victoria, in readiness to contest the $300,000 Rose of Kingston Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) on Saturday 7 October at Flemington.

“She’s valuable already, but if she gets black type there (Australia) and potentially a Group race win then she’s worth a lot of money to (owners) Waikato Stud,” Walker added.

“If she runs up to scratch at Flemington, then she’ll go up to Sydney for the Golden Eagle, that’s the plan.

“With the setup now at Cranbourne, It’s good we can facilitate these races and options.”

The $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m), won last year by Waikato Stud owned, and Everest contender, I Wish I Win (Savabeel), is contested on Saturday 4 November at Rosehill Gardens. 

NZ Racing News reports (excerpt):

Last-start Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) winner Skew Wiff has contested her last race in New Zealand for the foreseeable future, with co-trainer Mark Walker confirming the mare will head to Te Akau’s Cranbourne base early next month.

The classy four-year-old beat a star-studded line-up that included the likes of Sharp ‘N’ Smart and Legarto to take her first Group One crown at Hastings on September 9, and appeared between races at Matamata for a quiet exhibition gallop on Wednesday.

Guided by regular rider Opie Bosson, Skew Wiff worked at a steady pace over 1000m clocking 1.08, with 40.8s for the last 600m.

Skew Wiff, who is owned by Waikato Stud and sired by their Champion stallion Savabeel, will now target Australian riches over the Melbourne and Sydney spring carnivals, kicking off in the A$300,000 Gr.2 Rose of Kingston Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on October 7.

Waikato Stud were successful in the $A10 million Gr.1 Golden Eagle (1500m) last year with former Te Akau runner I Wish I Win, and the 2023 edition of the top-flight four-year-old event will be run on November 4 at Rosehill.