Palmetto will make his return at Randwick on Saturday. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images
By Mitch Cohen
02:38pm • 17 December 2024
Trainer John Sargent expects Palmetto to lay down a marker for the state’s newest $500,000 feature when his resurgent gelding returns at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Palmetto will line up in a Benchmark 100 over 1400m in his first start since June earlier this year.
Sargent was forced to abandon his last preparation with his son of Ghibellines after Palmetto got kicked by another horse before he was due to run.
Sargent believes Palmetto is ready to return to his best as he sets his sights on a date with the inaugural $500,000 The Lakes (1600m) at Wyong on January 11.
Palmetto has already proven a big-money race performer for Sargent, winning the $500,000 The Coast at Wyong and the $1m Five Diamonds Prelude at Royal Randwick last year.
“Palmetto is peaking for The Lakes,” Sargent said.
“He is back to where he was.
“He got kicked in the bird cage in his last start at Warwick Farm in the shoulder and had to be scratched in the parade ring.
“It got infected and that’s why he has been out and not racing.”
Trainer John Sargent will target another rich race for Palmetto. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images
Palmetto has looked good in a couple of trials in the lead up to his return where just nine rivals nominated to run this weekend.
The six-year-old, which has earned more than $1.2m for connections, has been given the topweight of 61kg for his return with Sargent to use stable apprentice Molly Bourke’s 2kg claim to ease the burden.
“He has come back good, has trialled well and should be ready to go on Saturday with Molly (Bourke) claiming,” Sargent said.
“With his class you would have to think he is a winning chance.”
Bourke combined with her boss last weekend with a terrific ride to help Perfect Thought end a winning drought.
Sargent has been rapt with her progress as she makes her mark as a city rider.
“Molly is going really well,” he said.
“She is going through that grade that I think she is going to be one of the apprentices that is going to be lost and have to go out to the provincials.
“She is hopefully going to become another Rachel King.”
Meanwhile, Sargent confirmed Perfect Thought is also a contender for The Lakes, however the son of So You Think could also chase the big money on offer at the Gold Coast Magic Millions on the same day.
“The Lakes or the 1400m at Magic Millions day so he could end up going to that on the same day,” Sargent said.
“That’s worth $2m and The Lakes is only $500,000.”
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