The Claire Anderton trained 4yr-old was keen to run and gave rider Lisa Allpress plenty to think about when she sprang out of the starting stalls at the 1200m.
Her antics were not enough to dim her at the finish as she jogged effortlessly to the line after hitting the lead early in the home straight.
She left some handy and fitter types in her wake
The performance signalled The Precious One has come back in brilliant order this season.
It also has Anderton eyeing the group 3 Canterbury Breeders Stakes' during the New Zealand Cup carnival for her mare.
Wet tracks have played havoc with The Precious One's buildup.
''She did that [Riccarton race] without having a jumpout or a trial,'' Anderton said.
''We had her in at the jumpouts and had to pull her out because it was too wet. There is certainly a lot of improvement in her.''
The Precious One's return was delayed even further with the rescheduling of her race from Saturday to Tuesday.
Her victory comes during a season of change for her owners, the Dennis Brothers, of Woodlands.
The four brothers - Joe, Martin, Ray and Tony - have recently ended their five-man partnership with Tony's son, Robert.
Robert has taken out a solo-training licence.
