Preferment (NZ) too Strong in Group 1 BMW

Karaka graduate Preferment (NZ) (Zabeel) claimed his second consecutive Group 1 win when he won Saturday’s A$1.5 million Group 1 BMW (2400m) at Rosehill.

This was the powerful galloper's fourth Group 1 win, he has also won the Victoria Derby as a three-year-old and has since added the Turnbull Stakes, Australian Cup and now the BMW.

Overall Preferment has had 20 starts for five wins, five placings and A$3.3 million in stakes. It’s an outstanding return for Chris Waller, who bought the horse for $190,000 at the 2013 Premier Sale.

Saturday's result was clear-cut as Preferment went from sixth to first in a spectacular wide move approaching the home turn, then held on strongly all the way down the Rosehill straight to win by a half-neck.

Preferment’s Group 1-winning stablemates Who Shot Thebarman (NZ) (Yamanin Vital) and Grand Marshal (Dansili) finished second and third. The trio are trained by champion expat New Zealander Chris Waller.

“It’s a race which has eluded us,” a jubilant Waller said. “It’s a great thrill.”

Preferment was ridden to victory by Hugh Bowman, who was full of praise for his mount.

“He feels like a Rolls Royce,” he said. “He is one of the best movers I have ever sat on, and I have sat on some nice ones.”