It what can truly be described as a command performance, Derby and St Leger winner Perfect Neighbour (Dick Cardenas) dismantled his six rivals in the 54th running of the 2,000-metre Governor General Stakes to become the first of this season’s lot of three-year-olds to win in the top grade of local racing.

Cardenas literally toyed with the opposition, playing the waiting game for most of the race, as leaders Sweet Trail and Classy Prospect were simply bit part actors in this race. When the ever-so-confident Cardenas asked Perfect Neighbour to move just after passing the 600-metre pole, the roar from the large crowd in attendance at the Park went with him, and thereafter it was how many lengths this progeny of Natural Selection – Desperate Housewife would win by.

When they entered the straight, Perfect Neighbour drew alongside Classy Prospect, and then came the overdrive which ended in a rather easy victory by six expanding lengths in a final time of 2:06.3 minutes, which was a second faster than the time he produced when winning the St Leger in July. Kal Kal (D A Thomas) was second with Raging Prospect third.

The win by Perfect Neighbour was the third on the day for Cardenas, who is currently experiencing a purple patch, and also trainer Wayne DaCosta. Their other winners were Lady Celtic and Trail Blazer.

DaCosta, in commenting on this supreme run by his three-year-old, said: “He worked well coming into the race. I expected him to run well, but he outdid himself against some very good horses. I am pleased, very pleased.”

As to the chances of Perfect Neighbour in the much-vaunted Supertakes scheduled for the second Saturday in November, DaCosta gave a short reply. “That is another day, another, let’s wait and see.”

Champion jockey Dane Nelson also rode a triple Zeeva, Paid Our Dues and Border Line.