After knocking on the door for a while, Preferred finally opened his account for his new handler David Hill on Friday.
The Elusive City six-year-old only moved to the Englishman last November, landing with a handy enough record of two wins, three seconds and six thirds from 31 starts when first prepared by Theo Kieser.
Stable transfers are never guaranteed formulas for improved form, but the Secondtonone Stable-owned galloper has somehow found a second lease of life with the change of scenery.
Even if Preferred had not yet won for Hill in five starts, the three seconds, one third and one fourth, all coming from behind, suggested his winning turn was not far off, and it could not have occurred any sooner in the $60,000 Kiwi Karma 2015 Stakes, a Class 4 Premier race over 1100m.
Ridden by Olivier Placais, who has been aboard at four of the five starts under Hill’s care, Preferred ($23) was always in touch with the early pacesetters, enjoying a smothered run in fifth spot.
As race-leader Snip (Chin See Cheng) folded upon cornering, his stablemate and favourite Red Claw (Nooresh Juglall) drew first blood, but Preferred was not going to be denied his moment of glory as he came darting through an opening at the 300m mark, going on to score by three parts of a length from the fast-finishing Rum N Raisins (Benny Woodworth).
Red Claw stuck on for third place another three-quarter length away. The winning time was 1min 6.64secs for the 1100m on the Polytrack.
“This horse has been running very consistently since he’s been transferred to me,” said Hill.
“I don’t do much with him as he’s a lovely old horse. I just keep him happy and he deserves today’s win.”
Placais, who was at win No 10 for the season, was for one delighted his faith in Preferred has finally paid off.
“I’m very happy he’s won today. I’ve been riding him since he started to race for David,” said the French rider.
“David has done a good job with him. He can lose his concentration a little, but he has been in good form, and he won a nice race today.
“I was close to Nooresh in the race and I know his horse well. My horse showed a very good fighting spirit at the top of the straight and was very strong to the line.
“Well done to the team.”
Preferred has now taken his stakes earnings past the $210,000 mark for his connections.
