Excessive Force revels in conditions to claim Viceroy Trophy

PHILIP FEANNY’S imported pair of EXCESSIVE FORCE and I’VE GOT MAGIC revelled in conditions that handed them featherweights in yesterday’s Viceroy Trophy, completing the stable exacta by running topweight FURTHER AND BEYOND off his legs at a mile on a fast track.

The Feanny stablemates dominated the race from the off, I’VE GOT MAGIC rushing to the lead with Paul Francis before EXCESSIVE FORCE slipped into second along the rail five furlongs out under claiming rider Jordon Barrett.

FURTHER AND BEYOND, who had blown away both Feanny runners at six and a half furlongs three weeks ago in the Saint Cecelia Cup, tried attacking the pair four and a half furlongs out but was left flat-footed by the foreigners, I’VE GOT MAGIC running 16lb lighter and EXCESSIVE FORCE all of 21lb, highly questionable weight swings against the local-bred.

NO ANSWER

Pushed by Robert Halledeen to keep pace with the light importees, FURTHER AND BEYOND straightened three wide, two lengths off the foreigners, but had no answer when the six-furlong split of 1:10.4 kicked in at the top of the lane.

EXCESSIVE FORCE, carrying 105lb, quickened along the rail with Jordon Barrett to leave I’VE GOT MAGIC chasing, FURTHER AND BEYOND floundering and CALCULUS making a bid on his outside.

Far-striding EXCESSIVE FORCE drew off to win in 1:37.3, beating his stablemate, who held off CALCULUS for third while FURTHER AND BEYOND wilted.

EXCESSIVE FORCE completed a two-timer for Feanny, who earlier met another importee in the winners’ enclosure, TAURUS BOY, who recovered from a bumpy start with Omar Walker to land the fifth event at five furlongs straight in 57.4.