Sono Perfetto Caps Banner Season for Labanca and Balmaceda at La Plata
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Trainer-Jockey Duo Caps Year in Style as Sono Perfetto Takes G2 Clausura Honors
LA PLATA.- The G2 Clasico Clausura, one of the most storied fixtures on the La Plata calendar, provided the perfect stage for trainer Omar Labanca and jockey Lautaro Balmaceda to put the finishing touches on an exceptional year. The formidable duo once again proved their prowess at the stakes level, secured by a professional score from the consistent Sono Perfetto (c, 3, Tetaze—[Dam], by Perfectperformance).
The race unfolded exactly according to the script. The winner utilized his natural early foot to seize control from the break and responded gamely when called upon in the closing stages.
Balmaceda’s timing was clinical. “It went just as we anticipated because he was able to dictate terms,” the rider explained. “They let us set a moderate rhythm; from the 600-meter mark, I asked him for his run, and he dug in well at the wire.”
The Clausura victory was no fluke for Sono Perfetto, who entered the gate battle-tested from high-level assignments. “The [GI] Dardo Rocha was his litmus test—2400 meters against seasoned older horses—and he passed with a solid result,” Balmaceda noted, referring to an effort that solidified the team's confidence in the colt's progression.
Omar Labanca echoed that satisfaction after ending the season on a high note. “I’m thrilled to close out the racing year winning such a beautiful stakes race with a horse that has given us so much joy in the second semester,” the trainer remarked. He highlighted the colt's steady evolution and the strategic execution of the race. “He is maturing. In the Rocha, he left a very strong impression against mature rivals at a different distance. We thought he could lead today with a softer pace, and he held up well. He beat El Darwin, a very experienced horse, though the weight assignments played in our favor this time.”
The victory serves as a reflection of the peak professional form Labanca and Balmaceda have maintained throughout the season, as they have been regular protagonists in La Plata’s feature races. In a circuit where they have consistently set the standard, the Clausura was a masterclass in planning and conviction.
Regarding future plans, prudence remains the priority. “It’s difficult to say what’s next. We will study the calendar,” Labanca concluded. “He deserves a break given the current temperatures, especially since he dealt with a heat-related setback recently. Once he’s rested, we’ll decide on our next steps.”
La Plata bore witness to a triumph that was more than just a Group 2 win; it confirmed the dominance of a partnership that closes 2025 at the top of their game, with the authority that only a well-built project can deliver.
