COVENTRY STAKES

(GROUP 2)

SEASONED John Gosden watchers would not hear of defeat for the stable’s Calyx in the Coventry Stakes and the youngster did not let them down, even if 2/1 favourite in a 23-runner field hardly looked value.

Gosden takes time with his two-year-olds and Calyx was out earlier than most, winning a novice event at Newmarket by five lengths. That was only 10 days before the Coventry, and many regarded his appearance this week as a major tip.

Drawn towards the stands’ side, Calyx was going so well at halfway that Frankie Dettori soon let him stride on.

He beat those on his flank by a very wide margin but Martyn Meade’s Advertise and Aidan O’Brien’s Sergei Prokofiev kept on well on the opposite wing to be beaten a length and a neck.

They were going on strongly but Calyx had nothing to race against for well over a furlong and was very impressive.

“He’s a horse that makes you get up in the morning,” Gosden said with a smile. “I thought being drawn high was a disadvantage and I couldn’t believe it when he hung on as he did.

“He’s a bit of a show-off, like his jockey sometimes, and he needed a bit of time. Mind you, Kingman didn’t race until July.

“I don’t see why he shouldn’t be a Guineas horse, but let’s go for the Prix Morny, which is a Group 1, and then see about stepping him up.

“Incidentally, I don’t let Frankie ride the two-year-olds first time up because when I did it at Yarmouth last year he damaged his shoulder and missed the royal meeting!”