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It took just a matter of minutes for five-time Victoria Derby-winning jockey Damien Oliver to declare his latest success Preferment a genuine Melbourne Cup contender next year.
After the tough three-year-old bravely fought off his opponents in the final 200 metres, Oliver - never given to overstatement - declared Preferment had all the hallmarks of a contender at Flemington on the first Tuesday in November next year.
"He's very tough," Oliver said. "I didn't have much luck in getting in, but strangely enough that's not the worse thing that can happen to this horse.
"He could well be back here next year, he's that type of horse, he's a real stayer and I think he's just going to get better."
The victory was another group-1 success for all-conquering Sydney trainer Chris Waller who earlier in the day clinched the Coolmore Stud Stakes for the second year in a row, when Brazen Beau saluted. But a Victorian Derby success was a moving moment.
"It's made possible by having a good horse," Waller said. "The writing was on the wall last start; he's by that great stallion Zabeel, and had a great rider on board, who actually beat me in the previous race a by a nose."
Waller was referring to the last-stride win of Happy Trails who defeated his galloper He's Your Man in the Mackinnon Stakes.
Oliver met with Waller during the week to discuss whether Preferment should wear blinkers in the Derby.
"I was just a bit concerned for him to have blinkers on such a big day. He might fire up and feel enclosed in the gates. The gear change worked well, Chris was understanding, we chatted about it, and decided to go this way," Oliver said.
Preferment drifted in betting from $6 to $8.50, but scored by a long neck from Bondeiger ($11) with Nozomi ($41) third.
"Coming around the home turn I just wanted to wait and fortunately Magicool came out and I was able to get a tack off him into the race with a little bit of cover from the wind.
"He was very brave in the straight; he could be back next year on the first Tuesday in November," said Oliver who scored his fifth success in the classic.
Preferment is by one of Australasia's great staying stallions, Zabeel, who has underpinned distance racing in Australia for the past two decades. However, he was retired from stud duties late last year.
Waller was understandably elated by Saturday's success, his first in the Victoria Derby.
"Turning for home he [Preferment] got cover, which was important as they are coming into the breeze," he said. "I feel he's a genuine stayer and he was wound up a long way from home and got the result."
Asked if Preferment's racing agenda for next year would include the Melbourne Cup, he said: "I guess so. The Melbourne Cup is the next step. It's good to know you have a horse that can be at that level."
The $2.45 favourite Hampton Court was well beaten in the straight.
"I was pretty happy with the run," said rider Kerrin McEvoy. "We just got into a forward spot. I should have asked him to quicken up at the 600 metres just because he takes a little bit of winding up, but all of a sudden, they were up and around him and he could give no more."
James Winks who was narrowly beaten on the runner up Bondeiger was full of praise for the bravery of the horse.
"He gave his all. We had a lovely run in transit," he said. "Before the start of the straight, I thought I'd be held in, but I manouevred him out and he didn't have the turn of foot. The 2500 metres just saw him out and the last 100 metres he was under pressure. But he fought on well to get second and overall it was a great performance."
Joao Moreira who rode Atmosphere said the horse blundered at the start which made his task difficult, but he was impressed with the way the three-year-old finished off the race.
