Covenant will go for Majorca next

COVENANT (photo) raced through late to win the Gr 2 Sceptre Stakes over 1200m at Kenilworth on Monday for the second year running – beating promising Trinity House – and will now bid to win the Gr 1 Majorca Stakes over 1600m on Met Day in successive years.

Mike Bass’ filly settled a few lengths off the pace in the Sceptre and looked in a spot of bother approaching the 200m mark, but she quickened when the chips were down and finished powerfully, lots more in the tank when she crossed the wire.

Neisius, who has won the race five times, said: “She hit a bit of a flat spot and I wondered for a moment if Trinity House might keep going. She hasn’t got the early pace she had before. But once I got to the leader I knew I had it. ”

This was the Western Winter filly’s seventh win from 15 starts for the Monaco-based Kalmanson family who own Varsfontein Stud. A delighted John Kalmanson and breeder Carl De Vos were on course to receive the winning trophy.

Bass had earlier also won the Need For Speed Sprint over 1000m with classy Dan De Lago, who blitzed home unextended for jockey Anton Marcus. Derek Brugman, racing manager for owner Ingrid and Markus Jooste, thanked Avontuur Stud for sponsoring the event and said: “There are no races for three-year-old sprinters so this is an ideal new event. Well done to Pippa Mickleburgh.”

Justin Snaith’s much-improved four-year-old, Cap Alright, beat a competitive field of sprinters in the Gr 3 Southeaster Sprint under MJ Byleveld. He ran on strongly under a handy weight to defeat Copper Parade and Monsieur DuPont.

Cap Alright, by Captain Al, was bred by Normandy Stud and is owned in partnership by the stud’s Veronica Foulkes, Etienne Braun and Paul Loomes.