Once again showing his love of the Flemington track, the Darren Weir-trained Palentino left his more favoured stablemate Tosen Stardom in his wake in Saturday's $200,000 Group II Incognitus Blamey Stakes.
Winner of the Group I Australian Guineas last season and the Group I Makybe Diva Stakes in September over the same track and distance, Palentino was in a race of his own in defeating Tosen Stardom (JPN) (Deep Impact) by three and a quarter lengths with Lindsay Park import Harlem (GB) (Champs Elysees) a long-neck back in third on his Australian debut. (photo Darryl Sherer).
The 4yo Teofilo (IRE) entire advances his record to 5 wins and 3 seconds with earnings of $1,170,110.
"I was a bit worried going into it but you've just got to trust the stats don't you? He just gets here and flies," winning rider Mark Zahra said.
"He was a little bit keen early but once I got him smothered up, he was nice and
"When the $1.80 pop came under a bit of pressure as I got outside, I thought unless something's come off our back, we're home here and off he went."
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 runs in the colours of Sun Bloodstock and 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) named Palazzo Miss and a yearling colt by Reset.
Not served in 2015, Palatine Hill was covered by Medaglia D'Oro last spring.
