But he was just as fast in the sulky last night when he joined the late John Burgess as the oldest winning drivers in New Zealand harness racing history when he steered home Holdon Toyaspurs to a maiden win.
Prendergast's off-the-cuff line as he returned to the winner's circle gave away his age without the awkward question having to be asked.
''Not bad for 81, eh?'' he chuckled.
Prendergast trains just two horses - Holdon Toyaspurs and Millwood Charity - at his property at Hyde, north of Middlemarch. It's not hard to find if you want to watch the 81-year-old in action either.
''There's only one street in Hyde - just turn right at the pub.''
Never afraid to try something new in his training approach, Prendergast rode Holdon Toyaspurs in saddle on Tuesday night to mix up the gelding's training regime.
''I hadn't been on a horse in five years,'' he said.
Prendergast, who turned 81 in October, has been around the industry for more than 50 years, riding his first winner under saddle in 1961 before earning his first driving win at Hokitika in 1969 with Teviot Express.
Prendergast has driven on more than 35 racecourses during his career, and last drove one of his own horses to a win when Sacred Steps battled through the mud to win at Hokitika in March 2006.
He drove Corporal to a win for Waimate trainer Jim Baikie in September that year, but it's been 8 years between drinks for Prendergast from limited driving opportunities.
Prendergast, who is a regular at the Central Otago meetings and gymkhanas over the summer, will be taking his two horses around the circuit again this year, and don't rule out the sprightly veteran collecting another win.
He gave a typically laconic answer when asked what kept him going in the harness racing game.
''I want to get out of bed in the mornings, so I've got to get out of bed to feed the horses,'' he said.
Prendergast joins Burgess, who drove Silverdale Pride to victory at Addington in December 2008 aged 81, atop the list of drivers who have won in their ''advanced years''.
Prendergast and Burgess are just ahead of Doug McCormick, who drove his last winner, Gee Itsa Boy, at Ashburton in March 2010. McCormick, who turns 85 tomorrow, had a part to play in Prendergast's win - he bred Holdon Toyaspur's grand dam, Perfect Whiz.
