It was another bumper payday for the connections of former South Island galloper Palmetto who prevailed in a narrow-three-way finish in the A$1 million Five Diamonds Prelude (1500m) at Randwick on Saturday.
The five-year-old son of Ghibellines was perfectly ridden by in-form hoop Kathy O’Hara to score by a nose over another former Kiwi in Detonator Jack, with Waterford a further nose away in third.
Now prepared by John Sargent, Palmetto began his racing career in the Ascot Park stable of Sally McKay, for whom he had nine starts for three wins. He collected a black-type double in the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m) and Southland Guineas (1600m) in February of 2022.
Now racing in the colours of prominent Australian owner Carl Holt, but with some of his original New Zealand ownership still involved, Palmetto has had a total of 22 starts for six wins, three placings and A$1,142,079 in stakes.
It is the second major prize-money race Palmetto has won, having scored in the A$500,000 The Coast (1600m) at Gosford in May, with many of his South Island connections on course at Randwick to celebrate the win on Saturday.
“They’re from the South Island – they can’t believe it,” a delighted John Sargent said.
“It’s a lot of money for them and he has been a great horse since he has finally aclimatised.
“I thought Kathy would suit him and she is riding the crest of a wave.
“I said to Kathy to hide him away, he has got a good finish and don’t get there too soon and she just timed it perfectly.
“It is a fantastic result and great for the owners from New Zealand. They are all a bit hungover after the All Blacks won this morning, but they made it today and they will be back in three weeks for the final.”
Palmetto will now contest the A$2 million Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill on November 11, with the set weights plus penalties race restricted to five-year-olds.
Kathy O’Hara, a recent winner of the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) on Rediener, was thrilled to land another big prize on a horse that fought so gamely.
“He really wanted to win. He was all out late and needed to find a little more, and he did,” she said.
“He is a lovely horse to ride and I am really happy for Sarge and the team and the owners seem like a great bunch of people. It is really nice when the good guys win.”
By White Robe Lodge stallion Ghibellines, an impeccably bred son of Shamardal, Palmetto is one of six stakes winners and 14 stakes performers by the stallion, who is also the sire of Group One winner Smokin’ Romans.
Out of the winning Darci Brahma mare Carolina Island, who stems from the family of Group Three winner and blue-hen mare In Clover, Palmetto was offered by Three Valleys at the 2020 South Island Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, where he was passed in with a reserve of just $10,000.
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