IT was a very playful and chirpy Perfect Neighbour that greeted the Jamaica Observer team when they visited the stables of trainer Wayne DaCosta on Sunday morning (June 16), the day after the Natural Selection – Desperate Housewife bay gelding easily won the 93rd running of the Jamaica Derby.

“Thankfully, Perfect Neighbour came out of the race very well, no problems at all. He was his usual playful self and ate all of his feed demonstrating that he was healthy and strong”, the four time Derby winning trainer said.

Perfect Neighbour, after playing the role of bridesmaid for most of his career having finished second in the Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes behind stablemate Hovercraft and also second in the 2000 Guineas where Willie Goldsmith was the victor, finally took his place in the sun with a victory in the race of all races, the Jamaica Derby.

It was obvious from his run in the Derby that Perfect Neighbour is the best stayer of the three-year-old crop a point and which DaCosta was quick to note.

“He is a stayer who has developed nicely over the last few months. Now he will have a well-earned rest and then the preparation will start for the St Leger which is his next race in the second week of July,” the champion and leading trainer said.

The Jamaica St Leger is the third leg of the Triple Crown and is run after the 1000 and 2000 Guineas and the Derby over 10 furlongs or 2,000 metres.

And what of Orlando Bocachica the Puerto Rica-born Florida based jockey who piloted Perfect Neighbour to win the Derby?

“Well it was a perfect ride from Bocachica, I could not have asked for better. Whether he will return to ride Perfect Neighbour in the St Leger is dependent on many factors. Now I cannot give a definitive answer,” DaCosta said.