Trainer Hugo Palmer has raised the possibility that Irish Oaks winner Covert Love could go to the St Leger at Doncaster instead of York’s Ebor meeting.
The Darley Yorkshire Oaks later this month remains the primary target for Covert Love but Palmer will not allow the Azamour filly to race on very fast ground on the Knavesmire should it prevail.
Palmer says that if things do not go to plan for a run at York connections would be willing to pay the £35,000 required to get a place in the St Leger field.
“It’s all systems go for York at the moment but she does need supplementing and I don’t want to run her on August baking ground,” he said.
“If Yorkshire gets a hot spell for two and a half weeks we might have to think about stumping up 35 grand, but we are working with that in mind.”
Covert Love took her career record to four wins from give starts with a stylish success at Curragh last month although Palmer admits he believes she will be best served running at a mile-and-a-half as opposed to stepping up in trip for the St Leger.
“If she wasn’t to go to York we’d have to think of the St Leger.
“Pat Smullen said when he crossed the line he felt she’d win the St Leger, but now he’s watched it back he agrees with me the obvious races for her are over a mile and a half.”
The Newmarket handler added that he was “sure she’d stay the Leger trip” if required.
Covert Love is 11.00 to win the St Leger at Doncaster while Mr Singh is 8.00 and Aidan O’Brien’s Highland Reel 15.00.
Leave a comment
Link Dafabet