Big plans for Havana Grey

Trainer Karl Burke has some big plans for Havana Grey following his Sapphire Stakes victory at the Curragh on Sunday.

The three-year-old could target the Qatar King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood before contesting the Nunthorpe at York at the end of August.

If Havana Grey impresses in those races, Burke could send his charge back to Ireland before the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp and the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in Kentucky later in the year.

“We were very happy with that. From what we had seen at home, we knew he had trained on but until they do it on the track, people don't believe you,” said Burke, as reported by The Irish Field.

“Three-year-olds taking on older horses earlier in the year if they are five-furlong horses, it's very tough for them.

“Add that to if they are not 100% right, it makes it difficult. It's just coming to that time of year when he's entitled to take on the older horses and as he showed on Sunday he's well up to it.

“We're aiming to go to Goodwood a week on Friday. Obviously he's a Goodwood winner [the Molecomb Stakes last year], he handles the track, it's a huge prize for a Group Two. It's not going to be an easy race, but none of them are after yesterday.

“All being well, he'll go there, the Nunthorpe, then back to Ireland for the Flying Five [at the Curragh] and hopefully end up in the Abbaye and maybe the Breeders' Cup. That's the ambitious plan.”