Desert Icon might’ve surprised many watching the JRA Cup at Moonee Valley with the way he took off at the turn, but not jockey Brett Prebble.
Prebble guided him to what ended up being a comfortable 3 ½-length victory in the Group 3 feature worth $200,000 over 2040m.
Both veterans have built up a strong connection.
“Once I had some momentum going I thought he’d maintain his gallop,” Prebble told racing.com when asked about the seven-year-old gelding.
“But then for some reason tonight he wanted to lay off the track. First time at nighttime I think he was a bit lost here.
“But he’s really raised the bar, this horse. Last prep he got to 2040 and toughed it out.
“I think he’s going to be an ultra-consistent soldier for the team.”
Chris Waller’s foreperson at Flemington, Jo Taylor, said it was a perfect ride from Prebble, the $3.20 winning chance with Ladbrokes easily accounting for $1.85 favourite, Nerve Not Verve.
“He’s a horse that once he starts finding form he holds it quite well,” she said.
“Brett certainly suits him. He rode him perfectly. He seems to have figured him out now, especially around the Valley.
“He’s pressing the buttons at the right time and getting the job done.
“He had a fairly easy time up front. He’s a horse who’s not as effective when it gets too heavy.
“So, with a Soft 6 he handled that well. But I think that’s probably as soft as he’d like it.”
Taylor said there were no set plans for Desert Icon at this stage.
“I think we’ll just take it one step at a time. Obviously, there are bigger tasks that he can be set for,” she said.
“But it was really about what he could step up to this preparation. And tonight again was a bit of a step up for him, and he certainly showed that he’s up to the task.”
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