Impressive run by Above And Beyond

ABOVE AND BEYOND firmly staked her claim as the favourite for next month’s 1000 Guineas, easily flooring Gary Subratie’s colt, NIPSTER, at a mile in Race 3 of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission/Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Series.

Returning off a near three-month lay-up, ABOVE AND BEYOND reproduced her glowing exercise workouts to stalk the pace set by stablemate TASK FORCE, who ensured that even-money favourite NIPSTER was pegged to the rail down the backstretch.

ABOVE AND BEYOND made her move on the outside approaching the half-mile, hemming in NIPSTER, who was left flat-footed when the filly swept to the lead three furlongs out.

Pushed out by Dane Nelson, ABOVE AND BEYOND romped home by six and a half lengths, leaving NIPSTER struggling in her wake, clocking a solid 1:39.3, bettering the 1:40.1 posted earlier by overnight-allowance winner ROJORN DE PILOT.

ABOVE AND BEYOND was the second of four winners for Nelson and completed a two-timer for champion trainer Anthony Nunes.

Nunes won the previous event, the Grooms’ Association of Jamaica Trophy, with even-money chance SPLENDID VISION, who closed on the stands’ side to outfinish 4-1 chance SMOKEY TOPAZ by a length and a half at five furlongs straight.

Nelson opened his account with KD FLYER in the fourth at 1,000 metres straight, splitting DEE DANGER and OUTRAGEOUS TAJ inside the last half-furlong to win the $650,000-$600,000 optional claiming event by two and a quarter lengths.

The three-time champion jockey closed the 10-race programme with back-to-back winners PATRIARCH and SEA CRUISE.

Speedy PATRIARCH blasted home in 59.3, at odds of 7-5, making all at five furlongs round in the SVREL Third Anniversary Trophy, which was reduced to four runners with the scratching of TREVOR’S CHOICE and GOD OF LOVE.

Aboard SEA CRUISE, Nelson sat third in the seven-furlong night pan while THERMAL EXPLOSION led FAULYNA FOREVER down the backstretch. Nelson made his move approaching the home turn and took over from THERMAL EXPLOSION early in the straight to easily win by three and a quarter lengths.

Racing continues at Caymamas Park on the weekend with back-to-back meets Saturday and Sunday.