Tom Prebble lands first Stakes success in The Straight Six

In a career milestone moment, apprentice jockey Tom Prebble secured his first Stakes win aboard outsider Title Fighter in the Listed Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.

The son of former top jockey Brett Prebble and Maree Payne, Tom began his riding journey in November 2022 and has now racked up 110 career wins. Saturday’s triumph was his third ride in a black-type event.

Title Fighter, sent out at $61, held on bravely to defeat Deekay ($21) by a short-head, with Lim’s Kosciuszko ($12) finishing a close third.

“This means a lot,” Prebble said after the race.

“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.”

Despite the occasion, Prebble kept his emotions in check and quickly turned his attention to future rides.

“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 was full of praise for both Prebble and Title Fighter, who progressed from a benchmark 74 event to win at Stakes 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 credited Prebble’s ride as key to the victory, especially given the horse’s tricky nature and outside draw.

“He’s a quirky horse. You have to get the first furlong right and then you’re right,” he said.

“Sometimes it doesn’t happen when you draw good gates, but he drew the outside gate today, so it worked out perfectly.”

Punters looking to back Title Fighter in upcoming features can find odds and market updates through Australia’s top betting sites.