A big long striding gelding, he has been given plenty of time to mature by
Jason Coyle and was a short priced favourite in the 1150 metre maiden.Ridden patiently by Jason Collett after the jump when he refused to settle and pulled hard, Covert Operation surged home through the heavy conditions to score a neck win.
"He did a lot more wrong that I anticipated," said Jason Coyle.
"He overcame that though and was strong to the line. There looks to be a quality horse there."
A $55,000 Inglis Classic purchase from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft for Familia Nominees Pty Ltd / Homann Bloodstock, Covert Operation was re-offered at the Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale but passed in shy of his reserve.
He is the fourth winner from imported More Than Ready stakes-winner Well Hidden (USA) and is the 54th winner this season for Epaulette, whose winners include an impressive six stakes-winners.
A dual Group I winning son of Commands, Epaulette is well priced this spring at Darley at a fee of $27,500.
