Horses of the world

Pleasantly Perfect tracked the leaders from the start of the Dubai World Cup race to headway over 2 furlong out before staying on well under pressure to win the world’s richest race at Nad Al Sheba last Saturday 27th March.

The Dubai World Cup meeting now firmly established as one of the greatest race around the world delivered a thrilling finish between Perfectly Pleasant and Medaglia d’Oro. The race presented a perfect occasion for a rematch between these two top class American horses after their duel in last year’s Breeder’s Cup Classic at Santa Anita where they finished just a length and a half apart at the finish.

Fleetstreet Dancer, mount of Jon Court, lead in the early stages of the race before being tracked down by Bobby Frankel-trained Medaglia d’Oro ridden by Jerry Bailey. The latter was talking no chances and sent the 2-1 favourite of the race to the front early in the straight. A determined Alex Solis responded immediately on Pleasantly Perfect, the second favourite at 5-2 in the UK betting prices. The American pair battled fiercely in the last 400 yards with Medaglia d’Oro fighting back gamely in the final yards. Pleasantly Perfect proved too strong on the night and clinched the US$ 6,000,000 race by three-quarters of a length. The South African- trained Victory Moon claimed third place five lengths behind. Godolphin’s Grand Hombre ran a good debut race under Frankie Dettori to claim fourth place.

Richard Mandella, trainer of Pleasantly Perfect, observed after the race, “We’ve come close in this race before, but I always believed that in racing if you keep trying then you will get there and I had a lot of faith in this horse.” He added, “Pleasantly Perfect will go home now, we will rest him up and then train him for the Breeder’s Cup.” Mandella dedicated this victory to his mentor, former trainer Lefty Nickerson, who died on Friday.

Commenting on the third place of Victory Moon, South African trainer Mike De Kock said, “He ran his heart out, he is a super horse.”

Pleasantly Perfect (USA) 6-y-o (4 February 1998) b h

Pleasant Colony (USA)- Regal State (USA) by Affirmed (USA)

Current Owner: Diamond A Racing Corporation

Current Trainer: Richard E Mandella

Breeder: Clovelly Farm

(Yahia Nazroo)



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