The well-bred Skylimit makes his long awaited debut when he steps out in the $40,000 Schweppes Plate (1200m) for maiden three year old colts and geldings at Canterbury today.
Skylimit, a half brother to 2013 Golden Slipper winner Overreach, missed his two year old season because of immaturity but his owner – breeder George Altomonte is excited that the Flying Spur colt is ready to show his potential on the race track.
“We’ve been excited about this horse from the day he was born because he was a really good-looking colt, he was easy to handle, he just needed time to mature,’’ Altomonte told The Daily Telegraph.
“He’s got a few of her traits. He jumps like a rabbit out of the barriers, Overreach did that, and he’s also got that good turn of foot.’’
Skylimit will line up for the first time after being given a typical Gai Waterhouse preparation which included two sizzling barrier trial wins at Randwick, one by four lengths and the other by seven and a quarter lengths.
While race day jockey Tommy Berry says that Skylimit has well above average ability like his older half-sister Overreach, he is a bit more relaxed on the track than her, hence the addition of blinkers for his debut.
“His work at home has been exceptional, he’s a lovely type who is well put-together, and I expect him to be very, very hard to beat,” Berry said.
“She was a get-up-and-go filly, you didn’t have to ask her to work, and she worked almost too good. He’s more laid-back, you have to wake him up going out on to the track, and then down the straight he’ll pick up the bit and work to the line himself without you asking him.
“He can really let rip and run some good sectionals, he’s just laid-back.
“He’ll have blinkers on.”
Skylimit is currently the short priced $2.40 favourite for the Schweppes Plate with Ladbrokes.com.au in the small seven horse field.
Skylimit is a close relation to Dynamic Syndications Group 1 Blue Diamond Winner Reward For Effort, whom has his first crop of 2yo’s currently in training. Skylimit is also a close relation to Dynamic Syndications filly Bergdorf who was accepted this morning for the Listed Mode Stakes at Doomben on Saturday for trainer Matt Dunn and jockey Ryan Wiggans.