Further and Beyond takes Super Challenge Trophy
Published:Monday | November 30, 2020 | 12:10 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
FURTHER AND BEYOND pushed Anthony Nunes further, but not yet beyond the reach of nemesis Wayne DaCosta, by landing yesterday’s Pick 3 Super Challenge Trophy for two-year-olds.
Starting the morning with a lead of approximately $1 million and grabbing the lion’s share of the $750,000 purse in the third event with 4-5 favourite, TRICKY ONE, Nunes cleaned up in the feature, grabbing $2.12 million in stakes after HOIST THE MAST stayed on for third behind FURTHER AND BEYOND and DEN STREET.
FURTHER AND BEYOND, a full brother to ABOVE AND BEYOND, this year’s 1000 Guineas and Oaks winner, clocked a fast 1:25.3 after chasing splits of 23.1, 45.2 and 57.1.
Nunes Pick 3 winner is being pointed at the rich Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes on Boxing Day, December 26, when he is bound to renew rivalry with DaCosta’s DEN STREET, whose three-race win streak he halted in a commanding victory.
DEN STREET, the even-money favourite, was outsped in fourth down the backstretch of the seven-furlong event while FURTHER AND BEYOND, ridden to keep pace, looked more comfortable chasing stablemate HOIST THE MAST and speedy SHE’S A WONDER.
FURTHER AND BEYOND caught up with the speedsters by running the rail into the straight and led a furlong and a half out while DEN STREET remained fourth despite being put to the whip by Anthony Thomas.
Though going past the tiring fillies, SHE’S A WONDER and HOIST THE MAST, a furlong out, DEN STREET found far-striding FURTHER AND BEYOND an elusive target inside the last half-furlong, flattered by the margin of defeat, a length and three-quarter, after Dane Nelson eased the winner at the wire.
For the second straight meet, Thomas added a winner to his lead over Nelson, inching to six atop the standings with an early two-timer, KEY WITNESS in the second and FORMAL GLADIATOR in the fourth.
Racing continues with back-to-back meets at the weekend, Saturday-Sunday, with a mandatory Pick 4 payout tentatively set for the second day.