Racing
Carnival features beckon for late-maturing Palmetto
John Sargent has designed a three-race plan to kickstart Palmetto’s latest campaign.
Palmetto is a seven-year-old this season but trainer John Sargent believes the gelding might only just be starting to blossom.
A dual Listed winner in New Zealand where he began his career, Palmetto broke through for his first black type success in Australia when taking out the Canberra Cup (2000m) in March, although he had collected feature wins in the $500,000 The Coast (1600m) and $1 million Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m) in 2023.
He will launch his latest campaign in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday in what will be the first of three runs Sargent has programmed so far.
Pending how Palmetto performs in those, the Randwick-based horseman will map the rest of his preparation.
"He has finally matured being a New Zealand-bred horse and being slow maturing," Sargent said.
"His trials have been super and I'd expect him to run well on Saturday.
"He will go from here to the Chelmsford (Stakes) and then down to the Feehan (Stakes) at Moonee Valley. They're the first three races we've looked at."
Palmetto hadn't won beyond a mile prior to last preparation but his Canberra Cup effort opened the door to more middle distance races.
Sargent expects to eventually extend him in trip but is happy to keep all options on the table for now.
"He will probably go up to 2000 after a couple of runs," he said.
"We will see how he goes in the Feehan at Moonee Valley and how he handles that way around and worry about it after that.
"We will get him through the first three - Saturday, the Chelmsford and that will give us three weeks to the Feehan."
Stablemate Vetwelve is also headed to Rosehill for the Midway Handicap (1500m), earning another shot in town after responding to the addition of blinkers to score at Kembla Grange last start.
It was his second success in nine outings and Sargent reports he has trained on well since.
"The blinkers helped and this race should suit him being a Midway," Sargent said.
"He runs on speed, he's fit and he's ready to go."
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