Preferment (NZ) Returns to Peak Form

Group 1 Victoria Derby winner Preferment (NZ) (Zabeel) returned to winning form as a four-year-old with a compelling victory in the A$200,000 Group 2 Ascend Sales Trophies Hill Stakes at Randwick.

Preferment (NZ) triumphant in the Group 2 Ascend Sales Trophies Hill Stakes.

Trained by ex-pat kiwi Chris Waller, Preferment’s only other win among his 13 starts was in the prestigious Group 1 Victoria Derby last spring. Following his Group 1 victory, the son of Zabeel went on to be runner-up in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas this autumn, narrowly beaten by fellow kiwi Volkstok’n’barrell (NZ) (Tavistock).

The win by Preferment came just one race after stablemate Kermadec (NZ) (Teofilo) won the Group 1 George Main Stakes for Waller. Both horses were purchased by Guy Mulcaster at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2013 Karaka Premier Sale.

“Running second up, he was a little bit fresh,” commented Mulcaster. “It is encouraging to see him perform on a wet track having only won on a good track.

“Winning second up indicates he is going well this preparation and we will look towards the Caulfield Cup as a lead in race for the Melbourne Cup – dependent on all things going to plan.”

Ridden from an outside barrier of 11 by Hugh Bowman, Preferment settled towards the rear of the field in the early stages. With only one horse racing behind him, Bowman began to make his move on the son of Zabeel, quickly making up ground around the outside of his rivals.

At the top of the straight Preferment had impressively made his way to be in a five-way battle with 200m to go. Magic Hurricane (Hurricane Run) and Preferment then cleared away from the field to fight out the finish and it was the kiwi who proved too tough to win by a head with race-favourite Complacent (Authorized)finishing third.

A second stakes success for the four-year-old colt has increased his prizemoney to A$1,200,905 for his host of owners which include Mrs L F Huddy, Woppitt Bloodstock, Mr I Bruce, Mr G L Huddy, Magic Bloodstock Racing, Mr R Smith, Mr B L Mathieson, Mr K H Warriner, Mr J T C Lake, Mr F W Cook, Mrs C M Cook & G G Ltd.

Mulcaster purchased Preferment on behalf of Chris Waller Racing for NZ$190,000 at the 2013 Karaka Premier Sale from Cambridge Stud.

Bred by Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan, Mrs B M & L J Anselmi and Mrs H M & M J Moran, the son of the great Zabeel is out of winning mare Better Alternative (Flying Spur), who is also the dam of Group 3 winner Rezoned (Zabeel), the full-sister to Preferment. He is from the family of Group 1 winner Ancient Song (Canny Lad).

Along with Preferment and Kermadec’s victories in Sydney, the kiwi success in Australia continued in Melbourne with Karaka graduates Bassett (NZ) (Savabeel) and Tarzino (NZ) (Tavistock) both impressive winners. Both three-year-olds have Group 1 ambitions this spring.