Maharaj’s Pretty Perfect lands Griffiths feature

BLACK Bombshell (Northern Giant-Buyabook), a $4.5-million sale-topper at the 2019 Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association’s Yearling Sale, and retired after earning a measly $39,950 from four starts, yesterday rewarded Trinidadian owner Chevan Maharaj for his patience – her first offspring, PRETTY PERFECT, outfinishing ALCHEMY OF SOULS by a half-length in the $3.75-million Winston Griffiths Classic.

Sent off a 7-5 favourite for the nine-and-a-half furlong event after her fast-finishing third in the August 6 Jamaica Derby behind I DREAM AGAIN and BURNING HEDGE, PRETTY PERFECT was pushed from three furlongs out by Dane Dawkins to get into the pace being set by Jamaica Oaks runner-up, WOMAN IN LOVE, being chased by BOB THE BUILDER, PRINCE ROY, LOCKDOWN and BIG BUZZ.

Straightening seventh and widest, eight lengths behind WOMAN IN LOVE pressed by BIG BUZZ, who had eased into second off the turn, LOCKDOWN against the rail and BOSS MAN looming large on the outside after losing several lengths from his wide draw on the clubhouse turn, PRETTY PERFECT hit overdrive to charge at the leaders as a team with ALCHEMY OF SOULS.

Shifted from behind the tiring leaders by Clive Lynch midway the last furlong, ALCHEMY OF SOULS, who was fourth in the Derby, finishing two and three-quarter lengths behind PRETTY PERFECT, tried turning tables on the filly but was swallowed by her strong finish on his outside, both going by BIG BUZZ and BOSS MAN before taking aim at WOMAN IS BOSS trying to steal home with Raddesh Roman.

Dawkins, the 2022 champion jockey, who had earlier won the fifth aboard Steven Todd’s 12-1 outsider, TRAIN OF THOUGHT, had ALCHEMY OF SOULS measured as the two closers fought out the finish, PRETTY PERFECT proving the better stayer, winning in 2:06.0.

WOMAN IN LOVE stayed on for third, a half-length ahead of stablemate BOSS MAN, the horse who would have won it all, had it not been for his kiss-of-death draw, post-position 12, which saw him being taken in hand by Reyan Lewis, dropping back last at the clubhouse turn before having to be used up down the backstretch to make up ground.

However, it was a good win for PRETTY PERFECT and another major three-year-old stakes victory for Maharaj, who continues to enjoy tremendous success, winning the 2019 Triple Crown with Supreme Soul followed by Calculus, who landed the 2020 St Leger and Jamaica Derby.

Maharaj’s SENSATIONAL SOUL handed the Trinidadian a sixth Jamaican classic win in six years by running down escapee BOB THE BUILDER to score a three-quarter length win in the 2000 Guineas on June 8.