Funcaandun dominance to spill over on to Mark My Word Trophy

UNBEATEN UNITED States-bred colt FUNCAANDUN, a 14-length winner among overnight-allowance runners, chalking a fourth straight win on April 27, jumps to open-allowance company for Saturday’s Mark My Word Trophy at nine furlongs and 25 yards.

Facing four rivals, including stablemate SHE’S MY FRIEND out for the run as a filler, FUNCAANDUN has finally reached the level at which his ability placed him from he won on debut, clocking 1:12.0 for six furlongs on January 20.

Of three subsequent victories, FUNCAANDUN’s toughest task was his March 30 win against fellow importee WALL STREET TRADER, who franked the form by ripping a five-furlong split of 57.3 to stun DIGITAL ONE at six furlongs on May 5.

WALL STREET TRADER subsequently fell to Mouttet Mie runner-up ABILITY, beaten in the I’msatisfied Trophy at six furlongs on May 25, not appearing to be at his best with bandages all around.

Taking nothing from ABILITY, the four-year-old Jamaica Derby winner has proven himself top-shelf material, appearing none the worse after being moved from Patrick Lynch’s barn ahead of his I’msatisfied victory, closing along the rail past BOOTYLICIOUS to outfinish I AM FRED by a short head.

However, ABILITY, at 118lb, was eight pounds lighter than topweight 126lb I AM FRED, who returned off a near six-month break for the I’msatisfied in which he was dragged by BOOTYLICIOUS while chasing, with WALL STREET TRADER on his shoulders into the lane.

Roused in mid-track by Shamaree Muir, I AM FRED responded, but ABILITY travelled better, with the weight in his favour, digging in resolutely to beat the off-the-break foreigner by a short head.

ABILITY sharing topweight 124lb with RHYTHM BUZZ, an additional six pounds out of the I’msatisfied, allowing FUCAANDUN three pounds, puts the local-bred at risk of being outsped by the foreigner, who has shown that he probably prefers a distance of ground, easily winning at a mile in 1:40.0 on April 27.

Having returned to gallop six furlongs in 1:14.2 at exercise on June 1, FUNCAANDUN confirmed his versatility, enabling him to track any pace, speed that he could use to go all the way with Panamanian José Osorio.