The Sky is the Limit

Well rated in front by Cameron Lammas, Skyscraper (4 g Manhattan Rain - Grand Performance, by Palace Music) gained a richly deserved win for the Te Akau Skyscraper Syndicate (Mgr: D C Ellis) in the Jason Price Maiden 1600 metres on Valentine's Day at Matamata.|

“He wanted it today, but it was hard work,” said Lammas, after dismounting.

Having placed in six of his ten starts, Skyscraper had signalled when second on the course last time out that a winning turn was near and Lammas took luck out of the equation by controlling the race from in front.

Skyscraper strode along boldly, under a hold, with a two length advantage, and after finding a kick at the 300m he established a winning break.

On footing upgraded from Dead4 to Good3, he ran the mile in 1:36.7 and last 600m in 36, paying $6.00 & $1.80 on the tote.

Skyscraper was purchased as a yearling by David Ellis for $25,000 at the 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Westbury Stud, and was aptly named on two counts: being a tall horse and also a son of Manhattan Rain.

It was apporpriate therefore that the gelding won on the day when Team Te Akau was also busy at the Karaka Open Day organised by New Zealand Bloodstock to promote racehorse ownership.

While the occasion was celebrated by all the owners, it capped a special weekend for co-owners Jim & Pauline Hepburn and Peter & Jenny Georgetti. They also share in the ownership of Xtravagant (Pentire), who a day earlier had brilliantly won the $200,000 NRM Sprint (Gr. 1, 1400m) at Te Rapa.

And it was Peter Georgetti that accepted thanks, on behalf of the owners, from the race sponsor Kelly Price, who not trains with her husband Jason but rides Skyscraper in work as a track work rider for Te Akau.

Georgetti said: “Thank you for being sponsor, and many thanks from the Skyscraper owners to everybody that looks after the horse. Starting with the stable staff, the trainers (Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards), and of course David (Ellis) who sits on top."

Skyscraper brought up the 60th win this season for premiership leading trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards.

Skyscraper was strapped by Teina Walters.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz