John Sargent is looking forward to Kiwi import Palmetto (NZ) (Ghibellines) making his spring return at Randwick this weekend.
After making a successful leap from benchmark company to win the A$500,000 The Coast last preparation, Palmetto resumes in Saturday’s Gr.2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) where Sargent anticipates a bold return from the five-year-old son of Ghibellines.
“He’s come back really well. I think he should hopefully go to another level this time,” Sargent said.
“He has matured every time he’s come in and from the five draw, he’s going to be just in behind the speed.
“It’s a good field on Saturday but I’d be surprised if he wasn’t right in the finish.”
Palmetto hasn’t raced since finishing unplaced in the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m) in May and in hindsight, Sargent says it was a run too far.
But the gelding was only beaten 5-1/2 lengths by Huetor in the Group One and Sargent made the most of the trip by spelling him in Queensland.