Perfect Power Surges Late To Win Norfolk

ASCOT, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND – Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum’s Perfect Power surged to the lead in the late stages and won a thrilling photo finish to Thursday’s Norfolk Stakes (G2) at Ascot Racecourse.

Restricted to 2-year-olds, the Norfolk is a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event, with Perfect Power receiving an automatic berth in the Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar this November.

Sent away at 16/1 odds stateside, Perfect Power and jockey Paul Hanagan sat towards the rear of the group racing along the standside rail, then uncorked a sharp turn of foot with a 1/2-furlong remaining to win a tight finish on the wire between the groups split to either edge of the course. The Richard Fahey-trained Ardad colt broke his maiden 8 days prior in a 5-furlong dash at Hamilton in his second start following a third-place finish on Newcastle’s all-weather surface.

“You couldn’t really get a horse with a better attitude,” Hanagan said. “He takes it all in and has a great temperament. I think that’s what got him beat first time, because we were all expecting him to win. First day at school – I think he just had a bit of stage fright, but he’s come out of that race so well, and as we saw at Hamilton, that race brought him on again.”

Go Bears Go was the first runner from the far side group to cross the wire, finishing a head behind Perfect Power and a nose past the standside runner and 4/1 stateside favorite Project Dante. Close behind them came Cadamosto, American-based Lucci, Khunan, and Twilight Jet.

Nakatomi (the other American-based entry), Korker, Andreas Vesalius, Navello, Second Wind, Little Earl, King Of Speed, and Straits Of Moyle completed the order of finish. Instinctive Move scratched after becoming unruly during the loading process.

Perfect Power returned $31.60 to win and $9.40 to place. Go Bears Go brought back $5.20 to place. Project Dante paid $3.60 to place.