Royal Ascot aims on the horizon for Covey

Nick Robson
May 30, 2023 1:57 pm

Jersey or Britannia under consideration after Haydock strike.

Covey is likely to run in either the Jersey Stakes or the Britannia at Royal Ascot following his easy win at Haydock on Saturday.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained colt has now won three of his four races following a narrow defeat on his debut.

Unraced at two, he is rapidly making up for lost time but after Frankie Dettori admitted to being run away with on the gallops with him last year, what has pleased connections most is that he now saves his energy for the track.

A 10lb rise from the handicapper means he is now rated 100.

“We were all happy at Haydock and I was expecting the sort of rise he’s got,” said Barry Mahon of owners Juddmonte.

Covey cruises home to win the Betfred Silver Bowl Handicap@FrankieDettori controlled that from the off#ITVRacing | @haydockraces pic.twitter.com/vtaIYyMOuZ

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) May 27, 2023

“We’ve got a couple of weeks to decide, but I would imagine he’ll go for either the Jersey or the Britannia.

“He’s a beautiful horse, an unbelievably good physical specimen and we always felt he could be a very good horse last year but he just didn’t give himself a chance, as Frankie said he was a bit of a boyo.

“But in every run on the track this season, he hasn’t put a foot wrong in temperament or performance, in every run he’s turned up and behaved well. He’s grown up a lot and we’re on the right path, hopefully he can turn into a nice horse.

“He won under hands and heels at Haydock. We’ve been a little bit behind all year but he’s catching up now, it just takes a while to get where you need to be.”