Ken Casellas | Photo: PACEPIX
Skylord unleashed a sizzling burst of speed to charge home from last in a field of eleven at the 120m mark in the home straight to storm to a spectacular last-stride victory in the $21,000 Happy 90TH Birthday Des Parr Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Rarely has a pacer produced such a remarkable late charge to win a race at Gloucester Park, and Skylord’s win was convincing proof that he will develop into a serious contender for the rich feature events for four-year-olds in November and December.
Skylord, racing first-up for three months for trainer-driver Jocelyn Young, was a $10 chance from out wide at barrier No. 8. He was restrained at the start and raced at the rear while the $2.05 favourite Rock Artist was setting the pace from Gully Gum ($19) in the breeze.
When $2.35 second favourite Louie Dior came from sixth at the bell to burst to the front 280m from home it appeared he would go on and win easily. Young switched Skylord six wide on the home bend and the gelding was still last with 120m to travel before flying home with a jet-propelled surge to snatch an amazing victory.
Skylord rated 1.56.9 after final 400m sections of 27.7sec. and 29sec. Young said that she had worked the gelding harder than she had in the past to get him ready for a strong first-up performance.
“I have had a few dramas with him, mostly with his feet,” she said. “I try to keep him off the track as much as I can. I gallop him in the cart in the sand at home and have been trying to get him much more forward to come to the races. And I must thank farrier Kendal Laidlaw for his work.”
Skylord is owned by Young and her younger sister Madeliene, and the gelding has earned $176,996 from ten wins and ten placings from 27 starts. He was a gift from Jocelyn and Madeliene’s late grandparents Ray and Pam Grantham.
“So, he’s very special,” said Jocelyn. “This is also a special occasion because Madeliene is celebrating her 30TH birthday in Las Vegas.”
Skylord is continuing to show the great promise he did as a two-year-old when he finished second to Never Ending in the Golden Slipper and third to Never Ending in the Westbred Classic in September 2022.
Skylord is by Fly Like An Eagle and is the third foal out of Southern Legacy, who raced 26 times for six wins, ten placings and $81,326. She finished second to the brilliant Sensational Gabby in the WA Oaks in May 2012.
Skylord’s half-brother Gardys Legacy won the Group 2 Pearl for three-year-olds in May 2020, and he won at nine of his 20 WA starts before going to America where he won another eight times.
Skylord’s half-brother Southern Rock made an impressive debut when he won a race for two-year-olds at Northam on July 26 this year.