Vandyke hopeful of big day out at Ipswich

By Glenn Davis

Trainer David Vandyke is hoping the cream will rise to the top when promising sprinter Mccovey Cove makes his comeback at Ipswich on Wednesday.

Mccovey Cove steps out for the first time since August when the five-year-old starts in the Class 5 Plate over 1200 metres.

The son of Husson will be one of four Ipswich starters for the in-form Vandyke who has been in the winner’s stall eight times from his past 20 starters.

Vandyke has always believed Mccovey Cove was up to winning in Saturday grade in the city ever since he made his debut finishing second at Doomben in 2019.

Mccovey Cove has only had 10 starts for three wins and five placings and is having his first start since finishing fourth in a Class 3 at Eagle Farm on August 21.

A low-key midweek return should see Mccovey Cove figure in the finish with apprentice Kylie Wilson-Taylor’s two-kilogram claim.

“He’s first-up but has had a jump out and he should run well,” Vandyke said.

“He’s got a good record.”

Mccovey Cove is raced by the Harris family who have several horses on the books with Vandyke.

The family are part owners of star filly Duais, who finished second in the Group 1 Australian Oaks at Randwick before claiming the Group 1 Queensland Oaks at Eagle Farm during the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.

Duais then went on to win the Group 3 Coogny over 2000 metres at Caulfield last month before a flat performance in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup behind Incentivise.

Vandyke also expects a strong showing from Joy Too All in the Class Three Handicap over 1100 metres.

Joy Too All has started five times for three wins and a second and is also on the comeback trail since winning a Benchmark race over 1600 metres at the Sunshine Coast in June.

Joy Too All is a daughter of All Too Hard and was knocked down for $170,000 at the Magic Millions sales at the Gold Coast in 2018.

“Joy Too All should be hard to beat and I’m hopeful another runner Jakkalberry Finn will be hard to beat as well,” Vandyke said.

Jakkalberry Finn is having his second run back from a spell in the Class 2 Handicap over 1609 metres.