FORMER Derby and St Leger winner Perfect Neighbour can now claim ownership of the Governor General Stakes. The five-year-old bay horse by Natural Selection – Desperate Housewife easily put aside rivals in the 10-furlong event on Saturday to win this coveted race for the third consecutive year.

Ridden by now regular rider and stable jockey at the Wayne DaCosta barn, Robert Halledeen, Perfect Neighbour was held off the pace set by ‘rabbit’ Amicable before moving down effortlessly behind new leader, Uncle Taf (O’Brien White). With three furlongs of the 10 left, Halledeen guided Perfect Neighbour on the inside to take over the race. He pulled away in the straight, eventually winning by five lengths in a recorded time of 2:07.3 minutes.

Typewriter, the reigning Horse of the Year who was running only his second race for the season having recently returned from an injury looked somewhat out of sorts, but still ran well enough to finish second with Uncle Taf third. Typewriter (Shane Ellis) was allowing 12 lbs to Perfect Neighbour in the GG Stakes and both horses will carry level weights of 126 lbs (57.0 kg) in the upcoming Superstakes set for decision on the second Saturday in November. Typewriter has won the Superstakes for the last two years.

The run by Perfect Neighbour brought a hearty smile to the face of trainer DaCosta.

“Perfect Neighbour was almost a handicap certainty and ran accordingly. He is really a fantastic horse to train. He is a horse with personality, easy to handle, easy to train and always running his best. Truly one of the best if not the best I have ever trained,” a very satisfied trainer said.

As to Perfect Neighbour’s programme for the rest of the year, DaCosta was sure about two races.

“If all goes well and everything remains equal, I will prepare him (Perfect Neighbour) for the Superstakes in November and the Diamond Mile in December. I am still thinking about the Alex Imports Gold Cup but a final decision has not been taken on that one,” DaCosta informed.

With the win in the GG Stakes, Perfect Neighbour shot past the $17 million stakes earning mark.

The Complete Racing Guide understands that Typewriter will not chance his luck in the Gold Cup, but instead will go straight into the Superstakes.