Teofilo's Palentino Edges Black Heart Bart in Makybe Diva Stakes

The Darren Weir-trained Palentino supplied his sire Teofilo (IRE) with the ultimate welcome back present by running down his more favoured stablemate Black Heart Bart in Saturday's $500,000 Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).

It was the second win at the highest level for the Tasmanian sales graduate after Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington in March.

Black Heart Bart hit the lead at the 300m however Mark Zahra had Palentino in a striking position and he gradually wore down the stubborn favourite to win by a length with He Or She (Kendel Star) two lengths back in third. (photo Grant Courtney).

Palentino advances his overall record to 4 wins and 3 seconds from 10 starts with earnings of $971,610.

"It was a good win although I must admit I was a little worried when I looked at him in the yard, he still looked a bit big," Weir said.

"He settled probably a pair further back than we thought but he was settled. Mark gave him a beautiful ride,

"I knew when he got to the outside of Black Heart Bart he was a chance, I wasn't sure if he'd get past him but I knew he'd test him,"

Sun Stud purchased a majority stake privately in Palentino prior to the spring and Weir said the Makybe Diva was not the original plan.

"Originally we were going to go to the Rupert Clarke and then the Toorak but Jeremy (Rogers, racing manager) put the Caulfield thing in my head and suggested the Makybe Diva at Flemington.

"Because we'd been heading to the Rupert Clarke we had to change plans so he was always going to be vulnerable in those first couple of runs.

"Sun Stud made a massive investment in the horse and I can't thank them enough for leaving him with me.

"To win another Group I race with him is a big plus to his future stud career - I don't think it will be his last one either."

Weir said Palentino would continue on a path to the Cox Plate.

"This race today was the aim and then onto the Cox Plate so we'll have to sit down and work out the best way to get there," Weir said.

Bred by Jenny Watson, Palentino was consigned to the 2014 Magic Millions Tasmania Yearling sale by Macleay Thoroughbred Stud, where he topped the sale when knocked down to Weir for $85,000.

A half-brother to three winners, Palentino is the fifth foal of the 4-time Melbourne winner Palatine Hill.

A daughter of Palace Music (USA), Palatine Hill is a half-sister to stakes-winner Rather Grand (Grand Lodge) and Sublimity (Testa Rossa).

Palatine Hill has a 2yo filly by Tough Speed (USA) and a yearling colt by Reset and was not served last spring.

Palentino is one of ten individual Group 1 winners for his sire Teofilo, with three coming in Australia with Kermadec and Sonntag winning at the highest level.

Teofilo is standing the current breeding season at Kelvinside at a fee of $44,000 inc. GST, while his Doncaster Mile winning son Kermadec is standing his first season at a fee of $22,000 inc. GST.