A change of scene and track conditions will ideally invigorate Preferment on the Gold Coast, as the multiple Group One-winner seeks a return to form before the Doomben Cup.
Just over a 12 months ago the now five-year-old horse was on top of his game after wins in the Australian Cup and The BMW.
But he hasn’t won in seven start since and finished a distant last in the Group One Chipping Norton Stakes on February 25 on a heavy track.
Waller’s racing manager Charlie Duckworth was upbeat ahead of Saturday’s Group Two weight-for-age Hollindale Stakes (1800m).
“He’s a bit of a casual horse and that seems to be heightened on softer tracks. He gets a good track on Saturday,” Duckworth said.
He said Preferment, one of two Waller-prepared runners in the Hollindale, had impressed during his down time.
“He’s well and has more of a willingness to please his rider. His work is back to his very best,” Duckworth said.
“I think 1800 metres is a little bit short of his best but in two weeks at the Doomben Cup …. he’ll be really sprouting wings.”
Waller also has undersized battler McCreery primed for the fifth start of a preparation that features a win in the Group Three Liverpool City Cup and game runs in a trio of Group One races – the George Ryder, Doncaster Mile and All Aged Stakes.
“He’s just a great little, happy horse. He’s one of the lightest in the stable so the big weight does hinder him (59kg) but he just tries his absolute best,” Duckworth said.