Popular sprinter Take Cover back in the groove and raring to go

Veteran sprinter Take Cover has returned to training “looking amazing and feeling as strong as ever” as he sets out on his eighth season on the Flat at the ripe old age of 11.

His advancing years certainly showed no sign of blunting his speed last season, when his four victories included a Group 3 success at Newbury and three wins at Listed level.

As has become the norm over the years, his season will again revolve around the Group 2 King George Stakes at Goodwood in August, a race he has contested four times, winning twice and finishing second and fourth on the other two occasions.

“He’s been back in for about a month now and is cantering away,” said David Griffiths, who trains the son of Singspiel for Andrew Hollis of Norcroft Park Stud.

“He’s come back the same as every year – bloody mad! You wouldn’t think he’s 11. He’s looking amazing and feels so strong. There’s nothing bad to say about him.”

Take Cover has been influential in putting Bawtry-based Griffiths on the map and the trainer has started 2018 with a flourish, already tallying ten wins from 55 runners at a strike-rate of 18 per cent.

Temple Stakes to start

It will be a while longer until Take Cover joins the party, with Griffiths targeting Haydock on May 26 as a starting point.

“The first target is the Temple Stakes at Haydock,” he said. “We’ll probably miss the King’s Stand Stakes at Ascot this year and all roads lead to Goodwood.

“We’ll be looking at the City Walls Stakes at York again, a race he won last year, and will try to find another race between between Haydock and Goodwood too – there’s plenty to look forward to and hopefully we can have a good year.”

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