REIGNING Horse of the Year Further and Beyond, after a 21-day refreshening, returns for his second run for the season in the $1.5-million The Viceroy Trophy (G1) feature race at Caymanas Park today.

The Viceroy Trophy, honouring one of the best thoroughbreds to ever race at the Park, is for three-year-olds and upward horses at the Open Allowance/Graded Stakes level going over the distance of one mile (1,600m).

Further and Beyond had made a winning start to his four-year-old career in the Saint Cecelia Cup on April 2. Then going six and a half furlongs (1,300m), Further and Beyond won by 3 1/2 lengths moving away from rivals in deep stretch. The final time was 1:19.3.

The Anthony Nunes trainee should once again blow these horses away with minimum fuss as he has speed, can come from behind — everything. Plus, a mile is more to his liking.

Further and Beyond has never finished below third in his career. He has raced 16 times, winning nine times, finishing second four times and finishing third three times — with lifetime earnings of well over $16 million.

A four-year-old chestnut colt by Blue Pepsi Lodge out of the Graeme Hall mare Rumble, Further and Beyond’s ascent into the ranks of stardom and last year’s triumphs over older horses in the Jamaica Cup and Ian Levy Cup bring hope he will not only lift himself, but also the sport to a higher level.

His clocking at exercise on April 16 over six furlongs in a time of 1:13.3 is clear indication that Further and Beyond will be in a no-nonsense mood for this trophy race. Although the field is packed with some talent, it is going to be hard to see anyone denying Further and Beyond here.

The Viceroy is positioned as the eighth event on the 10-race card with a post time of 4:20 pm. First race is at 12:05 pm.

I’ve got Magic finished a favourable second behind Further and Beyond in the recent run for the Saint Cecelia Cup, in what was I’ve Got Magic’s first attempt in Open Allowance. The Philip Feanny trainee will not be disturbed by the extension in the journey and with a substantial pull in the weights he can get closer, especially if he is unmolested on the headlines. Added to this, he is lightly weighted.

If I’ve Got Magic can reproduce his last effort then the exacta behind Further and Beyond is a strong possibility here.

Crimson finally got back on the winning track on March 27 but that was in the level below at the Overnight Allowance grade. Crimson has more running to do here and will find repeating a difficult task.

Excessive Force came home fourth in the Saint Cecelia Cup, and with the winner Further and Beyond and second-place finisher I’ve Got Magic present once more, he will have to settle for a minor placing but will be happy with the extension of the trip.

King Arthur opened his season with an unplaced effort way behind Further and Beyond in the recent Saint Cecelia Cup. King Arthur is much better than that, and with him better suited to the one-mile distance an improved but not a winning effort is expected.

Calculus, in his last race, lost by a neck to Oneofakind in the Chairman’s Trophy on March 19 over seven and a half furlongs (1,500m). Calculus faces his perennial three-year-old rival Further and Beyond, receiving seven pounds as another battle between the two is expected.

Ones to watch:

Race 1) Loose Cannon/Heart Of A Lion/Baltusrol

Race 2) Smooth Criminal/Funky Fashion/General Mubaraak

Race 3) Yellowstone/Freedom Street/Code of Conduct

Race 4) Run Jaya Run/Euphoria/Valliant

Race 5) Artesia/Taurus Boy/Mister Mandate

Race 6) Superluminal/Fearless Champion/Mirabilis

Race 7) Lacrimae/Blue Vinyl/Luksol

Race 8) Further and Beyond/Calculus/I’ve Got Magic

Race 9) El Cid/Sir Tajay/Howilookin

Race 10) Mental Warfare/Avenging Angel/Bigmanbiden