The presence of Derby and St Leger winner Perfect Neighbour and Prime Minister’s Stakes winner Classy Prospect provide top trainer Wayne DaCosta with a firm grip on the 54th running of the $1,320,000 Governor General’s Stakes feature at Caymanas Park today.

Winners of their second to last races, the improving three-year-old and the soldiering-on six-year-old, nothing is expected to be between them when the wire comes calling, having been prepared in a manner with an eye on the upcoming Superstakes.

The Graded Stakes event for three year olds and upward is the highlight of a well supported 10-race card, which has attracted a nicely balanced field of seven going 2,000 metres, and is scheduled to go to post at approximately 4:25 pm, with first post at 12:10 pm.

The field looks uncannily competitive down to the final runner and even though both Perfect Neighbour, the mount of Dick Cardenas, and Classy Prospect, Dane Nelson up, look inseparable, it could just prove foolhardy to cast these two into a stone monument for the two top places at the finish in the presence of some capable and lightly weighted gut busters.

Included are Sweet Trail, Raging Prospect, Kal Kal, an American import also from the barn of DaCosta, Time Of Arms, and recent winner Commanding Chief with Paul Francis astride at 56.0kg for a workmanlike victory over Typewriter on last.

This five-year-old chestnut gelding is just as competitive over the distance as is the entire field and despite the weight, would be right there when this is being decided.

Despite energy-draining competitiveness that is expected in the event, it looks difficult not to see one of the three DaCosta entries being unsaddled in the winner’s enclosure, but this is anybody’s guess as they, like their rivals, look well tuned for the showdown that could set the stage for the big one to come.

Ones To Watch

Race 1 She’s Plummy (Richard Mitchell)

Race 2 Valid Image (Shane Ellis)

Race 3 Rocketeer (Shane Ellis)

Race 4 Rainbow Man (Odain Simpson)

Race 5 Likkle Bit (Paul Francis)

Race 6 Lady Celtic (Dick Cardenas)

Race 7 Prince Oshaun (Shane Ellis)

Race 8 Dutchrow (Doushane Gordon)

Race 9 Classy Prospect (Dane Nelson)

Race 10 Country Train (Prince Holder)