Further and Beyond to outclass rivals in Sunday’s feature

FURTHER AND BEYOND ran like a horse possessed for the first seven furlongs of the Alsafra Trophy two weeks ago, peeling 10 lengths from the field at the half-mile, spinning into the home turn eight clear, before splits of 45.4, 58.1, 1:11.1 and 1:24.1 took toll a furlong out, allowing PERFECT BREW to sweep by for a five-length win.

Whether Ameth Robles needed a stopwatch aboard the 2021 classic campaigner appears to have been corrected by trainer Donovan Hutchinson summoning Mouttet Mile-winning Bebeto Harvey, replacing the Panamanian journeyman.

Should FURTHER AND BEYOND reproduce a run even close to his Alsafra effort off the lay-up, his rivals will be seeing nothing but his rear from start to finish in Sunday’s Hubert Bartley Memorial at seven and a half furlongs.

Returning off the lengthy break from a new barn, punters were sceptical of the former Anthony Nunes trainee, cautiously backing him at 9-2 against PERFECT BREW. Leaving the half-mile 10 lengths clear, it appeared as though it was FURTHER AND BEYOND reincarnated, making a story-book return from almost a year’s lay-up.

Though reeled in by PERFECT BREW, who won comfortably, FURTHER AND BEYOND was never in danger of losing the runner-up spot, finishing a neck ahead of STOMP THE RHYTHM, who got a baptism of fire in his first overnight allowance outing.

Going a half-furlong shorter should suit FURTHER AND BEYOND, who was caught by PERFECT BREW reporting off back-to-back second-place efforts behind last season’s three-year-old stars, ATOMICA and BLUE VINYL.

GREEN GOLD RUSH, who had finished a length behind PERFECT BREW being outclassed by ATOMICA, has certainly improved since taking orders from Dalton Sirjue off an 18-month break in February. Finishing five lengths behind YELLOWSTONE at five furlongs straight three weeks ago confirmed GREEN GOLD RUSH’s well-being.

However, should FURTHER AND BEYOND report anywhere close to the form he showed in the Alsafra, it will be lights out from the word go.