Plaudits all round as Prebble's treble shows his mega talents
Brett Prebble grabbed a Group Three win on Captain Sweet, but two contrasting rides in lowly Class Five handicaps, where he showed both brawn and brains, showcased the Australian's complete skill set.
First Prebble got every ounce of effort from Mega Castle for Manfred Man Ka-leung, before summing up the situation in a slowly run staying race and pinching a victory on David Hall's Surrounded with a smart mid-race move.
Both trainers dubbed Prebble's rides 'perfect'. Mega Castle required strong arm tactics from Prebble, the rider wielding the whip from the top of the straight and throwing himself into his work as only he can.
'It was hot and it was hard work, I was glad I had a race off in the next so I could have a cool shower and freshen up,' Prebble said. 'I don't know if he'll be winning again soon, I won't be putting my hand up for it. That was a pretty bad race, I wouldn't be holding my breath for next time.'
After Prebble drove Mega Castle and Captain Sweet to the line and prevailed in close finishes, a more cerebral performance got a maiden result for Surrounded.
A slow speed in the 2,000m event saw Prebble loop the field down the back and it proved a winning move.
'Hats off to Brett, they were running 26 second sectionals,' Hall said. 'For him to make that decision and then pull it off is the sign of a world-class jockey.'
'That's just my job,' Prebble said of his ride. 'You've got to have a clock in your head and know what time you're going. It is important where you make a move like that, I did it down the back straight and I didn't do it fast, so I got there very cheaply.'
Prebble said Surrounded has temperament problems which seem destined to hold him back.
'Mentally he is not the right horse for Hong Kong,' he said. 'He is just a fizzy, revvy horse that doesn't want to help you in any way. His ability is much better than what you see, but because he doesn't adapt to here , he is always going to struggle.
