Perfect Neighbour triumphs in thrilling race

PERFECT NEIGHBOUR used his class to prevail in a three-way photo, beating DONTAE and stablemate HOVER CRAFT yesterday in a driving finish for the 1820-metre Bonnie Blue Flag Trophy.

Partnered by regular rider, champion jockey Omar Walker, the eight-year-old gelding was bumped at the clubhouse turn by errant UNCLE TAF but recovered to race third down the backstretch, tracking HOVER CRAFT and ANOTHER BULLET.

PERFECT NEIGHBOUR attacked widest, coming off the home turn, but didn't have his way in the stretch run, burdened by topweight 57.0 kilos, which allowed his lighter rivals, HOVER CRAFT and rail-running DONTAE, to rally with 50.0 and 52.0 kilos, respectively.

However, PERFECT NEIGHBOUR proved strongest on the outside, holding his gallop well to beat DONTAE by a half-length with HOVER CRAFT a short head away in third.

Dane Nelson and Aaron Chatrie were the day's top riders with two winners apiece. Nelson won the second event astride 1-2 favourite AMAR and closed the card with 7-2 chance FLYING MACHINE.

Chatrie had a pair of 5-1 winners, FREE MARIE and PLEASANT SECRET, in the sixth and ninth races, respectively.

PLEASANT SECRET staged a tremendous rally against the rail to outfinish Walker astride RAMBUNCTIOUS LINKS in a stirring stretch duel, winning the 1100-metre event by a nose.

Racing continues at Caymanas Park on Saturday.