Rhythm Buzz upstages the favourites

RHYTHM BUZZ split the battling pair of FUNCAANDUN and ABILITY a furlong out to upstage the favourites, at odds of 5-2, with champion jockey Reyan Lewis in yesterday’s Mark My Word Trophy at nine furlongs and 25 yards.

Sired by Into Mischief’s 2016 Gold Cup winner, Buzz Nightmare, RHYTHM BUZZ was never far off the pace after ABILITY, last year’s Jamaica Derby winner, slipped through to lead from the rail five furlongs out.

Rubbing shoulders down the backstretch with unbeaten American, FUNCAANDUN, before the even-money favourite went after ABILITY three furlongs out, RHYTHM BUZZ straightened within striking distance of the duo and staged a mighty rally between horses in the stretch run.

Locked in a stirring duel, ABILITY and FUNCAANDUN were dissected by RHYTHM BUZZ, who inched away to win by a length and three-quarter, confirming his versatility and vast improvement by clocking 1:57.2.

FUNCAANDUN outlasted ABILITY by a head, his four-race win streak snapped in equitable company after plundering weaker rivals in skewed condition races.

Lewis returned to close a three-timer in the following event, the Mr Lover Lover Trophy, also at nine furlongs and 25 yards, racing at the rear with the Savoy Stomp-Rackam’s Mistress colt before a wide, sweeping move had him challenging the leaders coming off the home turn.

CAPTAIN SPARROW won in 1:59.4, a gaping chasm in time for a three-year-old hoping to, later this season, challenge the top-class horses, who were almost three seconds faster at the trip in the previous race.

Lewis had earlier opened his account on the 10-race card by booting home even-money favourite STORM A COME by eight lengths in the fourth at five furlongs round.

The 10th and final race was abandoned due to an immobile starting gate, which could not be transported to the five-furlong-straight chute.

Racing continues at the weekend.