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Preferment grabbed yet another Group 1 victory at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday when taking out the Group 1 BMW Stakes (2400m).
Hugh Bowman gave Preferment an inspired ride, taking off before the turn, holding off challengers over the concluding stages for a narrow win over stalemate’s Who Shot Thebarman and Grand Marshal.
Preferment ran to 121 when winning the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) on protest two starts back and ran to a new career peak of 123 when winning the Group 1 BMW Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
2015 winner Hartnell returned a Timeform figure of 124 when taking out the 2015 renewal with Silent Achiever and Fiveandahalfstar running to 123 the two years prior.
The Racing and Sports field strength value (RSFS) of 122.1 was slightly below that of the 2015 renewal of 123.9 which included international runners and Melbourne Cup winners which would have boosted the figure.
Of the beaten brigade Who Shot Thebarman ran to a new career peak of 123 his highest since winning the Group 2 Zipping Classic in the spring and will more than likely progress to the Sydney Cup in which he ran second last year.
Grand Marshal who won the 2015 Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) is on a similar path and ran to a career peak rating of 120.
Other fancied runners including Rising Romance and Mongolian Khan ran considerably below there previous peak ratings.
The Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes saw an upset with Single Gaze claiming a maiden Group 1 win for Canberra trainer Nick Olive.
Single Gaze returned a peak Timeform rating of 113, five pounds above her win in the Arrowfield Classic two starts back.
The Racing and Sports field strength value of 112.1 is below that of the 2015 renewal taken out by Fenway of 114.6.
Fenway returned a Timeform figure of 113 as well with 2014 winner Lucia Valentina returning a figure of 115p.
Single Gaze will now likely head towards the Group 1 ATC Oaks (2400m) at Randwick which might see her tested by the extra 400m on offer.
2015 winner Gust Of Wind returned a Timeform figure of 114, the lowest rated winner since 2007.
Placegetters Valley Girl (111) and Happy Hannah (111) ran up to there best form and are also worth watching going into the Oaks.
It’s Somewhat made it two wins in a row when taking out the Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m).
Settling off the leaders under James McDonald, the Godolphin-trained runner proved too strong over the concluding stages with Messene second and It’s Somewhat third.
It’s Somewhat ran to a new career peak rating of 120, one pound above his previous best in the 2015 Group 2 Villiers Stakes.
Not quite sure It’s Somewhat has the improvement in him to measure up in Group 1 company, particularly in a race like the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 9.
Stablemate Old North also earns a mention following his win in the 2016 Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m).
The John O’Shea-trained runner returned a career peak Timeform rating of 112 and only lightly raced certainly has improvement to come.
Old North will not progress to the ATC Derby but could certainly feature during the Brisbane Winter Carnival on the back of that effort.