KINGSTON, Jamaica - After his seasonal debut win in the April 2 Saint Cecelia Cup over 6 ½ furlongs (1,300m), Horse of the Year Further and Beyond returns for his second run in the $1.5-m The Viceroy Trophy (G1) feature on Saturday, April 23, at Caymanas Park. The race is for three-year-olds and upwards horses at the Open Allowance/Graded Stakes level going one mile (1,600m).
Below is the analysis of the six starters.
I’VE GOT MAGIC, a US-bred four-year-old bay colt by Fast Anna – Lil Miss Richie finished a favourable second behind Further and Beyond in the recent run for the Saint Cecelia Cup over 6 ½ furlongs (1,300m), in what was I’ve Got Magic first attempt in Open Allowance. I’ve Got Magic will not be disturbed by the extension in the journey and with a substantial pull in the weights can get closer, especially if he is unmolested on the headlines, plus he is lightly weighed. If I’ve Got Magic can reproduce his last effort then the exacta behind Further and Beyond is a strong possibility.
CRIMSON, a bay gelding by Nuclear Wayne out Sarah Barracuda, who finally got back on the winning track on March 27, but that was in the level below. Crimson has more running to do on Saturday and will find repeating a difficult task.
EXCESSIVE FORCE, a five-year-old chestnut horse by Broken Vow out of Fevered finished fourth in the Saint Cecelia Cup, and with the winner Further and Beyond and second-place finisher I’ve Got Magic present once more, Excessive Force will have to settle for a minor placing but will be happy with the extension of the trip.
FURTHER AND BEYOND, a four-year-old chestnut colt by Blue Pepsi Lodge – Rumble made a winning start to his four-year-old career in the Saint Cecelia Cup. Then going 6 ½ furlongs, Further and Beyond won by 4 ¼ lengths moving away. Further and Beyond should once again blow these away with the minimum of any fuss, as he has everything, speed, and he can come from behind. Plus, a mile is more to his liking.
KING ARTHUR, a bay four-year-old bay gelding by Natural Selection out of Geisha’s Art opened his season with an unplaced effort way behind Further and Beyond in the recent Saint Cecelia Cup. King Arthur is much better than that and with him better suited to the one-mile distance, so an improved but not a winning effort is expected but if there is a wet track tomorrow then expect King Arthur to flourish.
CALCULUS, a four-year-old bay colt by Sensational Slam – Trinket Box lost by a neck to Oneofakind in the Chairman’s Trophy (March 19). Calculus faces his perennial three-year-old rival Further and Beyond receiving seven pounds. Calculus can beat Further and Beyond with another battle between the two expected.
