Riveting Further and Beyond, Steadman, Nunes capture Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica – In his last race Further and Beyond lost to Calculus after the rider lost use of the right stirrup.

Today in the Jamaica Cup, Further and Beyond racing in a newly minted style repaired all the damage of the past including lost efforts in the Classics races, to win the Grade One – nine and a half furlongs – feature event for his trainer Anthony Nunes and jockey Linton Steadman.

Further and Beyond in nearly all of his previous races was always close to the leaders if not setting the pace himself. In the Jamaica Cup, Steadman stayed way behind the front runners led by Billy Whizz (Dick Cardenas), followed by Eroy (Oshane Nugent), and Supreme Soul (Paul Francis). Down the backstretch it was still Billy Whizz as Calculus (Shane Ellis) and King Arthur (Anthony Thomas) came closer. Further and Beyond was out of sight on the backstretch.

Billy Whizz forged further ahead to enter the straight still the leader, as Further and Beyond was fifth still about 10 lengths behind.

Calculus, Eroy and King Arthur failed to mount a serious challenge to Billy Whizz but the patient Steadman bided his time with confidence as Further and Beyond came flying on the outside to catch and beat a brave Billy Whizz by three parts of a length. Third was Calculus.

Of note is that the three-year-old cohort dominated the Jamaica Cup finishing first, second and third.

This was the third winner on the day for Nunes and the second for Steadman.