This year’s running of The Viceroy Trophy on Saturday at Caymanas Park was reminiscent of the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes of 2012 when Hovercraft with Dick Cardenas aboard defeated Perfect Neighbour. Since that victory nothing of significance has been achieved by Hovercraft until his signal performance in the nine-furlong race on Saturday.

Hovercraft went missing during the Classic campaign of 2013 as Perfect Neighbour reaped success in the Derby, the St Leger and the Governor General’s Stakes. Hovercraft’s four-year-old campaign was nothing to write home about as he continued his stuttering career. Now at the age of five, the bay gelding seems to have found his best hooves.

Guided this time by Paul Francis, Hovercraft came with a strong run on the outside on Saturday to catch and beat his stablemates Perfect Neighbour (Omar Walker) and All Correct (Shamaree Muir) in what turned out to be a one, two, three finish for trainer Wayne DaCosta. This win by Hovercraft, at the highest level of racing caps, a recent streak of good performances, which has seen him win three races this season along with other good runs.

“Hovercraft has been performing consistently this season and has really come into his own. He promised to deliver in the early part of his career, but that did not work out as planned for a number of reasons. Now he is taking advantage of being fit and healthy.

“He is enjoying prime form at the moment and my hope is that he continues to keep healthy and fit. Hovercraft might just be a late bloomer,” the champion trainer said.