Apprentice jockey Tom Prebble enjoyed a career-defining moment on Saturday, guiding longshot Title Fighter to a thrilling victory in the Listed Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington.
The win marked Prebble’s first success at Stakes level and came in just his third ride in a black-type race. Son of former champion rider Brett Prebble and Maree Payne, Tom has now notched 110 wins since beginning his apprenticeship in late 2022.
Title Fighter, a $61 outsider, edged out Deekay ($21) by a short-head, while Lim’s Kosciuszko ($12), a proven performer in Singapore, finished a neck back in third.
“This means a lot,” Prebble said.
“It was my first time on the horse. I thought the win was mine, but I didn’t want to go too soon and be smiling and cheering when I didn’t get the winner, so it’s pretty awesome now that I do realise I’ve won.”
Rather than bask in the win, Prebble quickly shifted focus to his next commitment, saying he approaches each race with a mindset of continual learning.
“I just see every race as the next and I just learn from them,” he said.
“I got the opportunity to ride in a Listed race and took it on the chin and it turned out awesome.”
Trainer Clayton Douglas praised both horse and rider, noting the maturity Title Fighter has shown this preparation, stepping up from benchmark company to win at black-type level.
“We knocked back big offers from Hong Kong early on,” Douglas said.
“To be honest, I thought the owner was mad, but he’s won a Stakes race at Flemington.
“It’s been a long, hard process to get him to switch off and now he’s got a few strings to his bow.
“He’s done a terrific job this campaign and there might be some more for him in the next 12 months or so.”
Douglas also applauded Prebble’s ride, particularly his decision-making from a tricky outside draw.
“He’s a quirky horse,” Douglas added.
“You have to get the first furlong right and then you’re right. Sometimes it doesn’t happen when you draw good gates, but he drew the outside gate today, so it worked out perfectly.”
Stay tuned to future races featuring Title Fighter and follow betting updates through leading Australian betting sites.
