Following his impressive fourth-place finish in the Mouttet Mile on December 7, Donovan Hutchinson’s Further and Beyond is set to return to the track in today’s $1.25-million Will In Charge Trophy feature. The six-year-old chestnut horse will be competing in a lower class, making him the top pick for an easy win.

Although Further and Beyond is not the dominant force he once was, his recent performance in the Mouttet Mile, an invitational Graded Stakes event, demonstrated that he still possesses a significant amount of talent.

Finishing only 2 ¾ lengths behind American-bred runners Funcaandun, Legacy Isle, and Commandant in the one-mile contest, Further and Beyond showed that he can still pack a punch.

With 11 starts this season, Further and Beyond has secured two wins, two second-place finishes, and two third-place finishes. His training regimen has been relatively light since his Mouttet Mile run as he had trotted four times.

As the former Horse of the Year drops down in grade, it’s difficult to envision him being beaten. Further and Beyond (Blue Pepsi Lodge – Rumble) is undoubtedly the top pick for today’s feature

The Will In Charge Trophy, an Overnight Allowance contest for three-year-olds and upward, running over one mile (1,600m), is positioned as the ninth event on the 10-race card with a post time of 4:35 pm. First race is at 11:40 am.

While Further and Beyond is the clear favourite, Blue Vinyl, Oasis Jak, and Impressive Force are the top contenders to potentially upset the applecart.

Blue Vinyl, the accomplished former 2000 Guineas and St Leger champion, is poised to make a stronger impression in the Will In Charge Trophy. Despite only two starts this season, both resulting in fifth-place finishes, Blue Vinyl is expected to elevate his performance and contend for a spot on the podium. His class and past achievements make him a formidable opponent, and it would be no surprise to see him finish in the money.

Oasis Jak is a paragon of consistency, having demonstrated her reliability time and again. Her suitability for the distance is well-established, and her close second-place finish to Bern Notice over the same journey on August 31 underscores her credentials. With her proven track record and affinity for the distance, Oasis Jak is an attractive contender who should run well and potentially challenge for a top-three finish.

Impressive Force, fresh from a commendable third-place finish in the Chairman’s Plate on November 9, is well-positioned to build upon that effort. The distance is likely to play to his strengths, and his running style suggests he will be in the mix for a top finish. With his recent performance serving as a springboard, Impressive Force is a compelling candidate to secure a prominent placing in the Will In Charge Trophy.

— Ruddy Allen

Ones to watch:

Race 1) Propellant/Final Load/Waterman John

Race 2) Zion’s Princess/Just Move In/Muzzo

Race 3) Tigeramedat/Cosmic Force/MPRS Links

Race 4) Mineola/Althia/Atila

Race 5) Secret Traveller/Dodge This Link/Sensational Gold

Race 6) Toronado Steel/Mila Kay/Solace

Race 7) Captain Sparrow/Mack and Rome/Francis

Race 8) Girvano/S’Natural Power/Fearless Mission

Race 9) Further and Beyond/Blue Vinyl/Oasis Jak

Race 10) Lucy In The Sky/Titan Tempo/Pineapple